Bystander

[Zugzwang]

He wished his hands were numb- if only they didn't sting so badly. The gloves he lifted from the local store wouldn't be worth sh*t if the snow kept pouring in. But he just kept walking. He thought he was on the sidewalk but wasn't really sure, the snow tended to blur lines like that.

 

What he'd do for a razor. He could tidy up his hair so the girls wouldn't run away so quickly and he'd get a better view- failing that, he could at least buy himself a few warm nights at the department with an empty threat to good old Officer George. Why fantasize. It's just like when he got put out in the first place.

 

Everything's the same- the winter illustrated that with it's uniform specks of white. On some level, Ward was just stuck in time. There was no progress to be made, really. He was just going by day to day doing the same thing in different places.

 

He was almost at the mission's steps at this point. Damn good timing too, his shoes, if they even qualified to be called that, were saturated with the moisture and it was beginning to refreeze on his unwashed feet.

 

"f*cking ni**er"

 

It was a whisper. He couldn't really pay it much attention.

 

He kept going down the block. There was an old store in this area, Apatía, with windows frosted over completely. He found it odd how no one ever entered that store. No one even cared to take a look at what they sold, or how they did business. It always seemed strange to him, but who was he to complain?

 

"Son of a bitch isn't even breathing"

 

There were some cops in the distance. Not Officer George, though. Ward liked George. He'd drop him a few nickels in the tip cup every now and again. Not a saint, sure, but any cop who wouldn't beat his ass for sleeping in the park was good in his mind.

 

Ward's scarf fell off into a puddle. "sh*t" He exclaimed "sh*t!" Even louder. Ward loved that scarf- it was very important to him. Meant the world to him. Now it was all wet and bound to freeze. He picked up the pace, anxious to get to the shelter.

 

"Just leave the body here. Don't call it in- no one needs to know"

 

Ward saw those read and blue lights from earlier speed off into the distance as he entered the shelter; ready for a warm meal and a good nap.

[Mr. Scratch]

This is sad and beautiful at the same time,good job.

[Zugzwang]

Thank you; I really appreciate the feedback.