One morning, on the way home from work
she noticed a man sitting behind her on the bus
middle aged eyes closed, holding a plastic shopping bag
A few days later as they exited the bus at the same time
he stopped her, tapping on her shoulder
"Do you know where the nearest laundry is? "
She did and gave him directions-
he smiled and thanked her
A week later he approached her again
quiet voice, little eye contact
"do you know any place nearby that sells tacos ?"
She did, and once more explained where it was
he thanked her again, his voice barely a whisper
Weeks later, as she was leaving the bus
he walked behind her again
asking if she could "show him the nearest grocery?"
She smiled and motioned him to follow her down a side street
he walked behind her, and suddenly wrapped zip ties around her wrists
pulled them tight against her back, holding a gloved hand over her mouth
Down a dark alley, He shoved her against a fence
then his mouth was next to her right ear, breathing deeply
voice no longer calm
"Do you know what pain is?"
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