Strange Encounters
M.
“Hey, I heard you were getting a new neighbor.”
I smiled to myself, knowing exactly who was behind that voice. “Why do you already know this, Foggy?”
“Well, I just happened to be coming over to wake you up so we could shop for office space,” he replied nonchalantly. “And there were movers going up and down the stairs. Plus, the landlord—”
“Yeah, apparently my old neighbor wasn’t doing too well, and her family decided it was for the best if they moved her back home with them.”
“Man, that sucks,” Foggy said, a hint of sympathy in his voice. “But you know what doesn’t suck?”
“What?”
“She’s hot.”
“Who is?”
“Dude, have you not been listening? Your new neighbor!” Foggy said, a playful smirk in his voice.
“And just how do you know about her looks?” I asked, intrigued despite myself. “And second, how do you even know if my neighbor is really a girl?”
Foggy chuckled, clearly enjoying this. “Your landlord, man. He’s got a thing for doing background checks. Apparently, he looked her up and found out she’s a veterinarian. He saw her picture when he was doing a little ‘research.’ You know, can’t have any creeps moving in to bother the blind guy.”
I let out a dry laugh. “Like it’s not creepy to already know about the person moving in next door—or across from me, anyway.”
Foggy shrugged. “Yeah, whatever. I happen to find it creepy that all the hot girls naturally flock to you. Are you sure you don’t have some kind of gravitational pull around you?”
“Maybe I’m just nice and respectful,” I teased. “Plus, not being able to see them gives me a bit more charm to work with. I’m a lawyer, remember? Good with words.”
“Yeah, well, it’s still weird. Anyway, we’re here.”
“Thanks for taking me home, man. Get home safe,” I said, pulling my jacket tighter against the cool air outside.
I could hear the grin in his voice, but it wasn’t the usual grin voice—it was the kind that said he had an agenda. “What would you do without me, huh? But as payment for this heroic deed, I expect to hear all about your new neighbor. Tell me what she’s like, and most importantly, is she single?”
I shrugged at his heroic deed as he called it. “I don’t think I’ll be running into her anytime soon, but sure, I’ll let you know if I do.”
As Foggy walked off, I focused on the lobby of the building. I could hear Mr. Wade talking, but it wasn’t the usual monologue. Someone else was there, too—another heartbeat. Two, actually. For a moment, I almost thought Mr. Wade was talking to himself, but the other person was just silent, only their heartbeat betraying them. When the conversation seemed to wrap up, I could hear Mr. Wade ask if he could help move some things upstairs. The reply was dismissive—she didn’t need help, but her heart rate was erratic. It felt almost like an instinct, the way she was trying to avoid help, even though she was clearly struggling.
I focused more intently, zeroing in on her. The blood—her blood—felt off. It was running far too fast for someone who was just talking. I could hear her heart thumping rapidly, faster than normal, and it wasn’t just from nerves. She was burning up, practically feverish.
I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard her pick something off the ground, the soft rustle of fabric as she adjusted. Mr. Wade was coming in my direction, so I pulled away from my focus on her.
“Mr. Murdock! How are you? Oh, I almost forgot! Your new neighbor is here! I was just talking to her, and she’s heading up now!” Mr. Wade’s voice was cheerful, almost too much so, as if he were overly eager to share every detail.
“Good morning, Mr. Wade. I’m doing well, thank you. I heard something about her moving in today,” I responded politely, though my mind was still on the strange sensation I’d felt in the lobby.
“Yeah, she’s a beauty, that one. Real nice on the eyes—” Mr. Wade quickly stopped himself, suddenly realizing what he was saying. “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean anything by that.”
“No, it’s quite alright,” I said, more to ease his discomfort than anything else. “I’m about to head up as well. I hope you have a good rest of your day.”
“Thanks, man. You too,” Mr. Wade said, shuffling off toward the stairs.
I began my ascent to my apartment, the familiar creak of the steps underfoot grounding me. Mr. Wade had always seemed awkward around me, though I never minded. I was used to it by now. Maybe he still remembered the first time we met, when he’d hesitated, unsure of whether or not to offer his hand to a blind man.
As I reached my floor, the scent hit me again. It wasn’t Mr. Wade—he always smelled like sweat and cheap cologne—but something softer, warmer. Vanilla, roses, cinnamon… and something metallic, almost faint, like blood. Blood? That was odd. I couldn’t quite place it.
The smell got stronger as I made my way down the hall, the scent of blood lingering in the air, but it didn’t fade. It almost felt as though it were calling to me, pulling me toward it.
Maybe she cut herself, I thought. That’s probably it.
By the time I reached my door, I could hear her inside. Her movements were quick, hurried, almost excited. It was like her pulse was rushing with energy, even though there was no real reason for it. Her heart was racing in a way that suggested something more than just normal unpacking.
I stepped inside my apartment, closing the door behind me, but I couldn’t shake the strange feeling in my gut. It was comforting, though—there was something about her heartbeat, her energy, that made me feel like this was where I was meant to be. Whatever was going on with her, it wasn’t something I needed to figure out today.
But I couldn’t help it. My curiosity was piqued.
For now, I would settle in. Tomorrow would bring whatever new mysteries my neighbor would offer.
K.
After struggling with the doorknob for what felt like an eternity, I finally managed to get inside. New door handles and locks were definitely on the to-do list.The air inside smelled faintly of cardboard and fresh paint, the typical scent of a new place. I stepped in, taking in the view of my new apartment. The first thing I noticed was how organized everything was. Every box and piece of furniture was neatly labeled, each item carefully placed in its designated spot. Mel must have had a hand in this—her obsessive need for order was unmistakable. She’d been adamant about making sure the movers knew exactly where each box and piece of furniture was supposed to go. Knowing Mel, she probably even told them how to pack everything to ensure it wouldn’t break. That was just how she was. It was kind of endearing, in a way.
I walked around, running my fingers over the labels, and couldn’t help but feel a sense of comfort. Mel had always been the kind of person who made sure everything had a place—if something didn’t have a place, she’d make one up. I could almost hear her voice in my head, lecturing me about the importance of a well-organized space.
As I began unpacking, I lost track of time. Six hours passed before I realized it, and despite not having much to unpack, I found myself tidying up, organizing, and cleaning until everything felt just right. As I was about to finish up, my stomach made itself known in the most undignified way—growling loudly, as if it had been waiting for hours to voice its displeasure.
I glanced at the clock. It was way past the time I should’ve eaten, and I had only managed to scarf down one meal that day. The thought of food suddenly became all-consuming, so I grabbed my purse and headed for the door, forgetting for a moment to grab my keys. Typical. On my first day living alone, I was already messing up the simple things. Good job, Kat, I thought to myself, mentally facepalming.
I quickly scrambled for my keys, found them, and stepped outside. The cool air hit my face as I made my way down the stairs, eager to find something to eat. I guess I was in more of a hurry than I thought, because before I knew it, I bumped into someone just around the corner of the landing.
“Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry, I was going way too fast! Are you okay?” I blurted out, taking a step back. I hadn’t even seen the person until the collision, but as I looked up, I noticed he was holding a red and white cane, the kind I’d seen people use for navigation.
Great. I just bumped into a blind man.
“Are you okay?” I repeated, feeling my face heat up. Way to go, Kat. You’re off to a stellar start in your new place.
“No worries at all,” the man said with a calm tone, brushing it off as though it were no big deal. “I was just thinking and forgot I was on the stairs. Are you the new neighbor Mr. Wade’s been telling me about?”
“Yeah, I’m Kat Torres. Nice to meet you… 6A,” I said awkwardly, realizing I had checked his apartment number before running into him.
“Oh! Sorry about that,” the man laughed softly, the sound light and friendly. “I’m Matthew Murdock. You can just call me Matt. Was there any particular reason you were in a rush? Are you alright?”
I could feel the blood rush to my face again. Of course, I had to act like a fool in front of a neighbor I’d just met. “Oh, yeah, absolutely. I’m fine. I was just getting super hungry and had food on my mind. I saw a grocery store around here, so I decided to check it out.”
“Well, I was actually heading there too. I needed something other than takeout. Would you like to walk there with me?” Matt asked, his voice smooth and casual, like he had no idea how badly I was cringing internally.
“That would actually be perfect,” I replied, relieved to have a guide. “I tend to get turned around pretty quickly. Wasn’t exactly sure where the store was.”
“That happens to a lot of people who are new here,” Matt said, his tone reassuring. “But don’t worry, I’m pretty good at finding my way around. I’ve lived in Hell’s Kitchen all my life.”
I couldn’t help but smile at that. I was definitely lucky to have a neighbor like him. “Well then, I’ll count myself a very lucky lady. Lead on, my map in shining armor!”
He chuckled, a soft, amused sound. “I’ll do my best, my lady.”
As we walked down the stairs together, I couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of comfort. Matt moved with such confidence, despite his blindness. There was something about the way he navigated his surroundings, with a subtle awareness of the world around him, that was both fascinating and humbling. He seemed to know the city in a way that went beyond just familiarity—he was in tune with it, his senses sharpened by necessity.
We walked side by side, chatting casually as I took in the neighborhood for the first time. The streets of Hell’s Kitchen had a unique energy—bustling, but with a kind of gritty charm. The smell of street food mixed with the distant hum of traffic, and the buildings loomed above, casting long shadows as the sun started to dip behind them.
I felt the initial anxiety about being in a new place start to fade. Maybe it was the easy conversation with Matt, or maybe it was the sense that I wasn’t alone anymore. Whatever it was, it felt good.
“So, what made you decide to move here?” Matt asked as we turned the corner, following the scent of something vaguely like fresh bread in the air.
“Oh, I just wanted a change,” I said, shrugging. “I’ve always lived in the suburbs, and it felt like time to try something new, you know?”
“That’s fair,” he said thoughtfully. “Hell’s Kitchen has a lot of character. It’s home to a lot of people who’ve been here for a while.”
I nodded, looking up at the buildings around us. “Yeah, it’s definitely different. But I think I’ll get used to it.”
As we approached the grocery store, I realized how much I had enjoyed the walk. The conversation had been easy, and Matt’s presence was somehow comforting. He had this quiet confidence about him that made me feel like everything was going to be alright. Even if I still had a lot to figure out in this new chapter of my life, at least I had a friendly neighbor to help me along the way.
“So, this is it,” Matt said as we stopped in front of the store. “I’ll grab what I need and you can grab what you need. I’m sure we’ll both survive.”
I smiled. “Sounds like a plan. And again, thanks for walking me here. I would’ve probably gotten hopelessly lost otherwise.”
“Don’t mention it,” Matt said with a grin in his voice. “What’s a good neighbor for, if not that?”
I glanced up at the building with a sigh of relief. I had no idea how I would’ve made it here on my own, not without getting completely lost or feeling completely out of place.
As I watched him begin to walk ahead I reached for him, lightly pulling on his sleeve. “Hey i know you just walked us here but if you wouldn't mind walking us back I would be eternally grateful I swear!” After a short pause and the realization of how my comment may have sounded like I was hitting on my neighbor I began to back track.
“I Didn't mean anything by that I swear but I am truly bad with directions and knew getting lost on my first day wouldn't make the best–” Matt cut in before I could finish,
“Absolutely.” He said with a certainty that made me heat up. “I Was actually about to ask you the same. Plus making sure my new neighbor got home safe and sound would have been a must.”
“Well, thank you, kind sir. Shall we continue onward together? If not, that’s okay, but if you need any help carrying anything, I’d be happy to help.”
“Actually,” he said, pausing for a moment, “I’ve been needing some more tea. So, I’d be grateful for your eyes with this task.”
“Why of course! Who am I to refuse a request from my map in shining armor?” The small chuckle I received in turn for my joke made me realize how truly easy conversion could flow with this new neighbor of mine. It felt nice to be able to have a relaxing joke after being so wound up when I got here.
As we walked into the store and rounded the corner into the tea aisle, I could feel an intense pull. The man’s blood. His heartbeat was steady, strong, echoing in the rhythm of his body like a well-tuned machine. His blood wasn’t normal; it was… different. There was something distinctly athletic about it. The kind of blood that had been sculpted by effort, training, and discipline.
“Hey,” I said before I could stop myself, “this may sound strange, but do you work out often?”
He stopped, tilting his head slightly, as though considering the question. “Not usually. Sometimes after a long day at work, for stress relief. But I’m pretty weak, honestly. I fall often, so I figured doing something might help in the long run.”
I could feel the heat rise to my cheeks. Smooth move, Kat. I’d asked the question without thinking, and now I had to cover up. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to make it weird. I’m a veterinarian, and I work with a lot of animals, so I guess I just noticed muscle definition and all that stuff.”
Before I could ramble on and dig myself into a deeper hole, he chuckled. “Well, it didn’t seem strange until you compared me to an animal, but I’ll take it as a compliment.”
I laughed, feeling a little embarrassed. “Oh god, I’m so sorry. That was awkward.”
“No, it’s truly okay. I promise,” he said with a reassuring smile. “But hey, you’re not the first person to make that comparison.” He said smiling to himself.
“God, I could not be more embarrassed right now.” I paused, feeling the weight of embarrassment I just created and the suggestive joke he made. “How about we just forget about that and continue on with our quest?”
“As you wish, my lady,” he said with a playful bow of his head, making me laugh despite myself.
As we finished our shopping, I couldn’t help but notice how at ease he was here. He moved confidently through the aisles, gathering what he needed like it was second nature. People stepped aside for him without a second thought, as if they knew how he was—or perhaps just sensing that he didn’t need to be in their way. But it was strange. He was so aware of everyone around him, stepping out of their way without a second glance. It was as if he could sense their movements before they even made them.
I pushed the thought aside. There were stranger things to worry about.
It was a pretty cold night to be running around in just a light jacket, but warming up was never a problem for me. It felt strange, though, letting a blind man lead us home. I couldn’t help but feel a bit uneasy at first, especially when he gave me that confident smile. But the way he moved, the way he navigated the streets with such ease, told me he wasn’t lying about living here his entire life. Every corner he turned, every crosswalk he stopped at without hesitation—it was clear he knew this city better than I could have ever hoped to.
I tried to focus on keeping pace with him, though it was hard to shake the feeling that I was still technically relying on a stranger even if he was my neighbor.
“Something on your mind, Kat?” he asked, his voice steady, but with a hint of curiosity.
I hesitated, not wanting to sound foolish, but the words just spilled out. “Well, if I’m being honest, I was a bit nervous when you said you’d take the lead. But I shouldn’t have doubted you.”
He laughed softly, the sound warm and easy. “Ah, well, I get that a lot. Most people see a blind man and consider me helpless when, honestly, I probably know this city like the back of my hand.”
I chuckled nervously, relieved at how casually he handled my doubts. But then, my curiosity got the best of me. I was still thinking about how effortlessly he navigated the streets, never faltering, and it made me wonder about his past. “I was actually wondering,” I started, hesitating for a moment; but then, almost as if reading my mind, he answered, “No, I haven’t always been blind.”
I blinked in surprise. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to pry, but it seems like that’s a question that’s always asked.”
“No need to apologize,” he said, a small chuckle in his voice. “It’s fine. It’s just… the thing with not being able to see—your body kind of takes over. You learn to rely on things like muscle memory.”
“Ah,” I said thoughtfully, “I guess that makes sense. But you must have a really good sense of direction to navigate the city like this.”
“Like I said, muscle memory and… well, my nose,” he added with a grin in his voice. “When it comes to food, I follow my nose and my stomach.”
We both laughed, the rhythm of our steps matching the ease of the conversation.
On the way, I made sure to pay attention to every landmark, trying to memorize the route he had taken us on. The last thing I wanted was to get lost now that I was on my own.
“Well, here is where our journey ends, my lady,” he said as we approached our building. “If you ever need help, I’m only a knock away.”
I smiled, genuinely thankful for all his help. “I thank you again, kind sir. This quest would have been treacherous if not for you. But really, I appreciate the help. And if you ever have an animal in need, you can send them my way anytime.”
He gave a nod, a grin spreading across his face. “Thank you, Kat. I don’t have any pets, but if I ever do, I’ll be sure to come running to you.”
With that, we parted ways, heading into our respective apartments.
Back in my apartment, I put everything away, making some quick microwave noodles and popcorn for dinner. Not exactly the healthiest meal, but it would do. As I unpacked my bags, I felt a strange sense of calm wash over me. The tea I’d picked up; thanks to Matt's nose, was a nice touch.I hoped it would help soothe my nerves.
The apartment was quiet, far too quiet. I hated that. It felt too empty without the sounds of two teens fighting in the background and Mel’s jazz music playing. But after a few minutes of settling in, organizing my things the way I needed them, I felt a little more at home. Like maybe this could work.
As I wound down, the thought of my office kept creeping back into my mind. Tomorrow would be busy—movers would be showing up early to help me set things up. I was excited. My practice was starting to take shape. Maybe, just maybe, things were starting to fall into place.
With that thought, I let myself relax, my body sinking into the bed, and drifted off to sleep.
M.
After we had set our goodbyes, I could still hear Kat moving around, her movements light and quick, like the fluttering of a nervous bird. I could hear her heart beating just as fast as when I first came into the building—strong, erratic, almost too loud in the stillness of the night. I hadn’t planned on going to the grocery store with her, but when I heard her heart racing as she was coming out of her apartment, a soft alarm went off in me. There was a tension in the air that tugged at my instincts. When she bumped into me on the stairs, the heat radiating off her felt like it could scorch me. I caught a flash of something in her eyes, something unspoken and raw. She was strange.
Walking with her felt like I was standing next to a fire, the heat of her body making the cold evening air feel almost suffocating. Her heartbeat was fast, erratic, and I could smell something faintly metallic on the edge of the breeze. Blood? Maybe. But something about the scent was different, sharper. It was unsettling. She might’ve been sick or maybe it was a monthly occurrence. Either way, it felt like I was stepping into dangerous territory, prying too much into her personal space, a line I wasn’t sure I was ready to cross. So, I did what any decent neighbor would do—I showed her the way to the store and back. Just the neighborly thing to do. I told myself I wouldn’t worry about it too much tonight. She’d be fine, and it was time for me to focus on what needed to be done.
I listened in after a while, letting the silence settle around me, waiting to hear if Kat had settled in for the night. I didn’t want to wake her during her first night here, not when she seemed so… off. As I tuned into the sounds of the building, I could hear her faint breathing, slow and steady at first, then that slight hitch as she fell deeper into sleep. The snoring was quiet, almost endearing in a way. Cute. A soft chuckle escaped my lips without thinking.
Time to go.
I slipped out into the night, careful not to make a sound. There was no more need to listen in on her, not tonight. But that faint metallic scent, her racing heartbeat, the fire-like warmth around her—it lingered in my thoughts, just a little too strong to ignore.
K.
“Kathrine, baby. Look at me. LOOK AT ME.”
I stared into his eyes, feeling a cold detachment wash over me. The anger in his voice burned through the thick fog in my mind, but I wasn’t scared anymore. I didn’t feel the usual knot of fear twisting in my stomach. Instead, all I could do was watch, as if I were an observer to my own life.
“Look at what you’ve done to me. To your mother. It’s your fault.” His voice cracked, raw with emotion, but I didn’t flinch. I didn’t feel the hurt, the shame he wanted me to feel. I could smell his blood—sharp, metallic, mixing with the sour tang of sweat. The heat of his body was fading. I could feel it. His pulse, once erratic and strong, was slowing.
No fear. Not anymore.
I was drifting in and out of sleep when the scent hit me. The blood. It was thick and familiar, yet different somehow. It woke me up with a start, my senses sharpening like a knife’s edge. Blood. The rich, iron tang was unmistakable, and it called to me in the deepest, most primal way.
It was close. Too close. I couldn’t ignore it, not even if I tried. I was already moving before I could fully understand why. My legs moved on their own, propelling me out of bed, through the door, and into the night. I didn’t stop. Not until I was standing in front of an old brick wall, an iron ladder protruding from it, beckoning me higher.
I climbed it slowly, my mind barely processing what I was doing. The smell of blood pulled me in, and I followed it like a moth to a flame. It was nearly overpowering.
Then I heard a rasping voice.
“Don’t come any closer.”
I stopped in my tracks. The voice was weak, strained, but there was something there that demanded attention.
“You’re bleeding out.” My words were firm, even as my pulse thrummed louder in my ears.
The voice stilled for a moment, as if contemplating my words. A low groan followed, and then, “How can you tell?”
“The smell.” I moved a little closer, stepping onto the rooftop. “It’s strong. It woke me up. I couldn’t ignore it.”
The person shifted, as though trying to pull away from me. “You shouldn’t be here, you should go away. How could you even find me?”
I could hear the desperation in the voice, but something about it stirred something in me. It wasn’t fear. It was something else. “Like I said, it was the blood. I couldn’t stay away. Are you a good person?”
The question hung in the air, and for a moment, everything around us seemed to hold its breath.
“I don’t know how to answer that,” came the hesitant response.
I crouched down next to him, my gaze soft but direct. “If you answer truthfully, that you’re a good person, I’ll help you. If you say you’re a bad person, I’ll help you anyway.”
A long silence followed. Then, a shuddered breath, and a quiet, “I don’t need help.”
I didn’t believe him. “I’ll help you anyway. You’re about to pass out.”
“I-I’m fin—” His voice broke off as his head lolled to one side, and he crumpled.
“Told you,” I murmured, as I knelt beside him.
The man’s face was hidden behind a mask, but his body language told a story of exhaustion and defeat. He was wearing all black, blending into the night like a shadow. Maybe he didn’t want to be found. Maybe he hadn’t planned on this, on me.
I leaned over him, examining the wound on his side. The cut was deep, jagged, the blood staining his clothes and pooling beneath him. Whoever had done this to him clearly wanted him to die.
“You’re strong,” I muttered, more to myself than to him, impressed despite myself.
I placed my hands over the wound. It had been a long time since I’d healed a wound like this, but I remembered. My fingers tingled as I called upon the blood, feeling it rush through me and into him, urging his body to close the wound. The blood began to congeal, the edges of the gash sealing slowly.
Minutes passed, though it felt like hours. The blood continued to flow, my hands pressing harder as I forced the injury to mend.
When it was done, I sat back for a moment, watching as the blood in his veins began to flow normally again, his heart steadying.
Then, a hand wrapped around my wrist, cold and trembling.
“What did you do to me?” His voice was barely above a whisper, his breathing labored.
I glanced down at him, keeping my tone calm. “I helped you. You were bleeding out. You should be dead by now, but I helped you close the wound. Your blood did most of the work.”
“My blood?” His eyes, though obscured by the mask, seemed to narrow.
“If you had lost any more, I would’ve had to take you to a hospital,” I said quietly.
“No hospital,” he rasped, a note of finality in his voice.
I raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, I figured that out from the mask.”
He touched his face quickly, checking for the mask. “I didn’t take it off. I’m sure you wanted to remain anonymous.”
“Why?” the man in the mask asked softly.
“Why what? Why didn’t I take off your mask?”
“Why did you help me? You have no idea who I am or how this injury came to be” His voice was steady now, though there was a thread of curiosity running through it.
“Because you asked me to,” I answered without hesitation. “Now, I know it sounds strange, but I felt it. Felt like you needed help.”
“How?” His voice cracked with the weight of the question. “How did you know?”
I smiled faintly, standing up and brushing the dust from my jeans. “I don’t know. It was a feeling I guess. But I’m not a doctor. I’m just… a strange person who came at the right time. Just stay still for a bit longer, and you should be okay enough to get moving.”
He grunted, shifting slightly as he tested his body’s strength. “You’re not going to ask?”
“Nope. I’m going home to sleep. I’ve got a long day tomorrow,” I said, turning my back to him. “From the looks of it, you can carry yourself wherever you need to go. Just don’t move too fast. Let your body heal. But you’re stronger than you think.”
He watched me for a moment before finally muttering, “Thank you.”
I paused at the edge of the roof, glancing over my shoulder at him. “Sure, stranger.”
Before I left, I turned back to him. “Can I ask you one question?”
He gave a tired chuckle, “You just did. But sure.”
“Are you a good person?”
His face softened, and for a moment, I saw something—something broken. “I don’t know.”
I nodded slowly, not pressing him further. “Okay. Goodnight, mask man.”
The walk home was long, my exhaustion finally catching up with me as I stumbled through the streets. The rush of his blood still lingered in me, a fire that refused to die. My blood sang louder, hotter with each step almost urging me to turn back and call for more of the masked man's blood.
I pushed whatever call inside me away as I reached my apartment, leaning heavily against the door before stumbling inside. My body was on fire with energy, but my mind was too tired to process it. I collapsed onto the couch, my limbs heavy.
It had been a long time since I felt human blood against my skin. The excitement coursed through me, making my blood burn hotter, faster. But as I lay there, the adrenaline slowly wore off, and my body began to calm.
I drifted into a deep sleep, my mind replaying the night, the stranger I saved, and the unspoken question that still lingered in the air:
Am I a good person?