"What brings you here?" A hoarse voice rasped from the shadows.

I sighed, placing a cigarette between my lips. "Regret." The word slipped, as I closed my eyes.

His laugh replied, strained and gravelly, much like the sound of boots grinding on stones. It filled my ears, dragging on, cynical and relentless.

He laughed, and laughed, and laughed.

Until silence draped.

I glanced sideways.

There I was, staring at my reflection. Blood dripped freely from his mouth, staining his black collared shirt.

"Need help?" he asked, waving a lighter before me.

I leaned in.

A sharp click, a brief rasp, then the soft whoosh of the flame.

green and bright.

"Go on, leave it all behind." He whispered.

A faint crackle, as soft as the first drops of rain on dry earth. I drew in, the warmth of the smoke filling my throat then my lungs.

"How?" I asked, exhaling.

The smoke curled lazily, as it drifted away.

He smiled, his brown eyes regaining their light, and reached for my shoulder, whispering,

"Let me go."