"Who are you?" The Girl asked again, half whispering, half demanding. "What do you want from me?"
He looked at her. She could see him. Her hand was grasped onto his. She could feel him. He was not prepared for this. What was he supposed to say?
"I'm a ghost and I've been protecting you."
No.
" I'm trying to atone for taking lives by saving lives. So I saved you. But you're good now, I'm just the stupid fucking guy who wasted his life and now is trying to save yours."
Absolutely not.
"Well? I know that I know you. I've seen you somewhere," she said, "Are you stalking me?" She released his hand and crossed her arms, almost glaring at him. He had to do something.
"No," he said slowly, "I was walking nearby and I heard you scream. So I thought I would help out. I'm sorry to bother you." He gulped. This was it. She'd tell him to leave and that would be it. He would have to.
"Okay," she replied, running her hands through her hair, "I'm sorry. Thank you. I just- I'm just drunk and freaked out. Maybe having a slight anxiety attack." He sighed in relief. "But I swear I've seen you." Oh he was positive she had. He hoped she wouldn't recognize him. Not yet.
She looked at him pensively. Like she was peering through his soul. "Ohhh you bartend at that place on 36th. Oh my god. I was a dick to you. I'm sorry," she finally said. Her words cut the silence like a knife. So he was a bartender.
"Yup," he said, laughing nervously, "You got me."
"Yeah," she smiled, "I got you."
She had no idea.
"Look I'm gonna call a ride," she said, "Do you need one too?" Oh god he wanted to say yes. Yes he needed a ride. They could find a nice, quiet diner and she would sober up. They would talk all night till he brought her home and .....
"No," he said, mostly to his own forbidden fantasies, "I'm good. I'll walk. Really. I don't live far from here. Just uh get home safe." She grabbed his arm gently and opened her mouth. Before she could answer, a black Jag drove up to them. She turned to it and smiled. "Finally!" She exclaimed.
It was Mr Wonderful. So now he shows up? He sighed. He wouldn't see him, so he had to disappear before she introduced her hero. He crept behind a building and heard her telling him excitedly about how she was saved by a bartender.
"Really?" Mr Wonderful said, yawning, "And where is this knight in shining armor? Why couldn't he bring you home?" She scowled and tried to answer. But she didn't see him. "I don't know. I don't know where he is," she said softly. "You're drunk," her companion scolded, "Get in. Let's go." She got in, confused because she'd just seen him.
She had just seen him. But not again.
However, he would see her later.
To be continued