The Secrets of the Alley

The rain falls relentlessly tonight, 

As I walk slowly down the slippery alley of a shady town, 

Silently yearning for the warmth of home.

I start to daydream what dinner awaits me,

Hoping my mom makes my favorite food. 

It's awfully scary walking alone. 

It seems that I am the only one traversing this alleyway. 

But wait, I hear something- 

Heavy footsteps slowly creeping towards me.

"That's strange", I thought to myself. 

The night had been quiet until now. 

I hear the footsteps coming closer, 

Closer,

And suddenly faster.

It seems to be synchronizing with my heartbeat.  

 

Maybe he's just passing,

There's no need to be alarmed.

I clutch my bag tighter with one hand, 

And my umbrella with the other. 

The footsteps paused a few steps behind me, 

And I can hear a man's shallow breaths;

And suddenly, a loud thump. 

The man had fallen. 

  I debated internally whether to take a look, 

But curiosity takes over my self-preservation. 

I slowly turn around to face the man, 

And there he is lying in the alley, 

Swimming in a pool of his own blood.

Shock overtook my body, and I gasp for air. 

The air smells of fresh blood coming from the stranger. 

He lifts his head to look at me.  

 

"Help me", he whispers-

Blood dripping from his gaping mouth.

I approach the broken man to assess his injuries, 

Three gunshot wounds to the body, 

And a rope with a cardboard looped around his neck. 

"Help me", he tries to say louder again.

But I can see that it is hopeless, 

His eyes are starting to roll back into his sockets.

I muster all my strength 

Before letting out a blood-curling scream. 

I see people getting out of their homes, 

Trying to find out where the sound came from. 

"HELP!", I shout. 

And the people comes running towards me. 

The man beside me had already died, 

And all I can do is to close his unseeing eyes. 

The townsmen examines the man, 

As I slowly slip away from the crowd.  

I hear a woman say nonchalantly, 

"Oh. It's just another victim."

As if it was a normal occurrence. 

The curiosity of the people lasted for a few minutes, 

And the crowd slowly disperses. 

I look at the man one last time, 

Before leaving the alleyway. 

There are only a handful of people left 

To take care of the slain man. 

I catch a glimpse of the sign hanging from his neck, 

And I understood what the woman from earlier meant. 

The man was just another victim and his story will be- 

Just another secret of the alley.

Reviews

[Sir Drift & Mr. Pulse]

Many people actually think like that and a lot of secrets are held between walls and lonely alleys, yes this was good. I like how that lady represents reality. Well done