Almost Undead

The silhouette of the decayed remains of downtown, stark over the grim sky of blood, was never out of sight.  No matter how far one traveled to escape, the city would not let us forget and would forever mock us for what we had done.  It was always empty and silent as if frozen in time. The skyline was as familiar as the clouds in the sky... and yet the symbol of regret and guilt had no one traveling it's distance since that dreadful day... until now.

The garbage, rubble, and other cluttered reminders of neglect are kicked away in sync with the harsh thuds of well used boots in a path both determined, and yet aimless in nature.  Her piercing golden eyes tells a story of survival and struggle way beyond her years.  She seems to suddenly be pulled by an unseen force, through a rotten splintered door into an eerie ghost of a room.   Dread pulls at her chest when she finds what she was looking for: an old gramophone buried in it's naturally formed grave of dust.  After allowing her hands to travel along the edges of the instrument and trace the vinyl's rim she finds herself compelled to test the functionality.  Fear of further damage to the delicate relic coerced slower movements from the woman.  And soon.... a crackling song of optimism finally could be heard.  What a Wonderful World seems so much more haunting... more mocking in it's tone now.  She listens without moving until the muffled sound of the stylus signals the song's completion.  A gloved hand replaces the arm of the stylus to resting position off the vinyl.

Those who listened that day would swear that they heard, drifting on the wind from the skyline, a woman passionately singing... accompanied by sorrowful piano. The song was familiar but was harshly sardonic in the minor key in which it was sung.