Chapter 9

“I’m leaving. Uriel was right, Gabriel was right, Mikhail was right. None of this shit matters, Dale. Don’t you see? My life here doesn’t matter.”

Dale shook his head, which was still cupped between Andrew’s hands. “No. I don’t. Where are you going?”

“I’m going to…” Andrew smiled. “I’m going to do whatever it is I need to do.”

* * * *

With Dale’s help, Andrew carried the trunk down to the street. It took nearly half an hour to find the homeless lady, but Andrew finally spotted her and followed her into an alley. Surprisingly, she was the only person there. When she turned, she met them with a half-smile. Andrew returned the gesture and he and Dale set the trunk on the ground before her.

“Good morning, ma’am,” Andrew said. “I know you don’t know me, but…I want you to have this.”

The woman stared down at the trunk, then back up at Andrew. When she spoke, her tone was soft, touched with emotion and confusion. “Thank you, but what is it?”