Bound

She was on her way to the ice-cream parlor. There was a spring in her step. It wasn’t every day that the love of your life proposes to you. As she turned around the corner of the block, she found herself in an alley. It was an alley out of place. But she knew this alley. From a distant memory, she knew this alley. She remembered the day as if it were just the day before.

John had promised to take her out for ice-cream if they didn’t get tickets to the play. She didn’t even remember what the play was about, only the memory of the warmth of his company. Once the play was over, they hurried to the ice-cream parlor two blocks away. John said he knew a shortcut to get there faster. That’s why they were in the alley in the first place. 

A gang of mean looking people surrounded them. John gave them his wallet. They wanted more. He gave them his watch. They wanted more. As they closed in on them, the lights began to dim and darkness descended upon her.

When she woke up, she could hear the siren. The police were on the scene. There was blood everywhere, limbs separated from the torso, and heads lying on the ground. John was there too. She had never seen such an expression on his face before. It was the last time she ever saw him. 

She reached the ice-cream parlor. Everyone turned to look at her as she stood there with John. Her dress was covered in blood. She didn’t understand why they wouldn’t serve her any ice-cream. They say no one in the parlor that day forgot the expression on John’s face.