Beyond A Substitute

e even the softest footsteps echo a little louder than usual. The streets were mostly empty, bathed in the dim o

d her shoulders as the cool wind tugged at her hair. Her boots clicked softly on the pavement as she walked the sa

ome

s expensive jacket was crumpled and stained with spilled liquor. One of his shoes had come off. His head was turned slightly to the si

ed, heart pic

tly, unsure if he could even

res

d at him more closely. His eyes were half-open, glazed over, unfocused-but for a br

th?" he

ne blinke

eth... you're here. I k

ack. "I'm not-I'm not Bet

avy. He mumbled something else she could

didn't know who this man was, but there was something broken in the way he looked at

r assisted her in getting Kingsley into t

at draped over her lap, hands clutched around a styrofoam cup of lukewarm coffee she hadn't taken a single sip from.

Be

But whoever she was, that name

k her head. "No, I just found him on the road." And then, after

sympathy and nodded. "We'll l

someone approached her. A young m

od quickl

lcohol level, but we've gotten it down. He's consciou

er boots soft on the tiled floor. Room 208. The

above his eyebrow. His hair was messy, and his eyes-deep, heavy-lidde

voice was raspi

utious steps forward. "I'

moment. His eyes narrowed sl

ead. "No. I told

across his face in a way that had nothing to d

tated. "Wh

e cup of water by the nightstand with a shaky hand. She m

mbled, not quite

I thought you might-" Her voice cracked a l

augh. "Yeah. Well. I wasn't e

en them for a moment

ry," he ad

even know m

voice lower now. "But you helpe

e chair beside the bed. "I

ead slowly toward

"That sounds.

ery faint smile f

oice-something sharp and smooth at the same time. Like a m

air, looking at him. "Well,

ed for just a mom