Erica’s day started like every other bad day, only this time, the bad felt personal. She had barely opened her shop, a small street-side tailoring space tucked between two fading concrete buildings, when the landlord showed up with folded papers in hand. He didn’t exchange any pleasantries. He barged in like the rent paid for his attitude.

“You have six months to leave,” he said.

Erica blinked. "What?"

"The land and this building have been sold. The new owners will be coming in soon to demolish this space. I gave you grace, but it’s done now."

He dropped the quit notice on her cutting table and walked away before she could say a word. Her scissors slipped from her fingers. She stared at the fabric she had just started working on, half-cut, thread halfway through the needle. Six months? That place was her only source of income. Her sewing machine was old, but it worked. The thread, the chalk, the pins scattered on the table, all of it was her life.

The day didn’t get better.

By afternoon, she spotted one of her longtime customers across the road, the one who had been promising to pay for a wedding outfit she completed two months ago. He was about to get on a bus.

“Hey! You! Stop right there!” she yelled, dropping her tape measure and chasing after him.

He looked back, panicked, and ran.

Erica dashed through the crowd, but the man was fast, ridiculously fast. He disappeared down the street like smoke. She stopped just in time, panting and sweating, and people stared. She didn’t care.

“God,” she muttered, “why today?”

The sky was already turning dark by the time she locked up the shop and began the long walk home. Her shoes ached, her back ached, and her head was full. She ruffled her hair in frustration. “Argghhh! I thought I prayed before stepping out today.”

She looked up at the sky.

“God, please. No more trouble today, I’m begging you.”

She was about to take another step when her eyes caught something strange ahead. Someone was standing on the edge of a concrete wall just by the ocean.

Her heart dropped.

It was a man.

Tall, still, facing the water like he was ready to leave the world behind. The breeze caught the edge of his coat.

Erica didn’t think. She ran.

“Hey! Hey! Stop!”

He didn’t move. One foot was already halfway off.

She used the last strength left in her legs and launched forward, grabbing him by the coat and pulling him back.

They both fell. Her elbow hit the ground. Her shoulder screamed in pain.

“Are you insane?!” she shouted breathlessly. “Do you want to kill yourself?”

He didn’t answer.

She sat up and looked at him properly for the first time. He was young, maybe thirty, clean clothes, expensive shoes, and very handsome, even with a sad face.

“No, wait,” she said slowly, “you want to kill yourself.”

Still, nothing.

Erica frowned. “Are you dumb?”

The man blinked.

“Not dumb-dumb,” she said, waving her hand, “like… are you mute?”

Still no response.

She got up and looked around. The street was quiet now, most people had gone home. She looked back at him.

“Great,” she muttered. “Now I’ve brought home a quiet, suicidal mute man. Just perfect.”

He looked at her, still not saying a word. Just those deep, empty eyes.

Erica sighed. “Fine. Get up. You’re coming with me.”

And he did.

***********************

Becky Berber sat on the edge of the velvet couch, legs crossed, lips painted red. She leaned toward the man pacing in front of her and said with a lazy smile, “You should sit, stress gives you wrinkles.”

Edward turned sharply. “Stop it, Becky. My son is out there. His phone is off. He’s not in his right mind. He just lost his mum and fiancée.”

He hit the side of the couch with his fist.

“You weren’t supposed to kill Amanda! You know how much Austin loved her.”

Becky stood slowly, walked to him, and placed her hands on his chest. “It was an accident. Lisa was with my sister. They were both in that car, maybe it was her destiny.”

She leaned in, her voice turning soft and slow. “And stop with the acting. It’s not like you loved her, and Austin isn’t even your son. Why the sudden care of affection behind closed doors?”

She winked.

“Cut the pretending and let’s enjoy a little sugar, hmm?”

She tried to touch his face.

He grabbed her wrist and pushed it away.

“You disgust me, right now,” he snapped and stormed out of the room.

Becky rolled her eyes and poured herself a drink.

****************

Erica pushed the door open with her elbow and stepped inside, with the quiet man behind her. Her younger sister, Lizzy, popped up from the old couch.

“You’re back, sis. Sorry, I had to light the lamp; the power’s gone. We ran out of units again.”

She paused when she saw the tall stranger behind Erica.

“Wow. We have a rich customer? He’s so cute. Should I get your tape for measurement?”

Erica rolled her eyes and dragged her sister outside.

“He’s not a customer.”

“Then who is he?”

“I caught him trying to jump into the ocean.”

Lizzy’s mouth opened. “What! And you brought him home? What if he kills himself in the night? We can go to jail, sis!”

“Exactly why we’re staying awake tonight.”

Back inside, Austin sat at the edge of their old wooden table, staring at the window, watching the moon like it was trying to tell him something.

Erica and Lizzy sat together on the floor, whispering.

“We have to hide anything sharp,” Lizzy said.

“I already took the kitchen knives.”

“The scissors?”

“Gone.”

“The razors?”

“Gone.”

They both looked at him again. Still staring, still not saying a word.

“Sis, is so sad that this handsome young man is dumb, and he looks rich.” Lizzy didn’t remove her eyes from him.

Erica sighed. “I feel like we’re babysitting a silent vampire.”

Lizzy giggled. “Maybe he’s rich, depressed, and cursed. That’d be a nice plot twist.”

Erica shook her head. “Just stay awake.”

******************

Somewhere far from the city, a young man walked through a quiet farmland carrying a bundle of fresh leaves and herbs. The sun was soft, and the path was silent.

Then he saw her.

A woman, lying on the field. So still she looked lifeless.

He dropped his bundle and rushed to her. His hands trembled as he touched her wrist, then pressed his fingers gently against her neck.

He closed his eyes.

He felt it.

A pulse.

He leaned closer, breath catching in his throat.

“She is alive.”