Chapter Fifteen
Mud sucked at the soles of his shoes as Alfred stepped out of the carriage and onto the desolate street. The rain had continued into the early hours of the morning and left puddles of soiled water and a thick sludge of mud and sticks on the avenues. The carriage wheels had carved gummy trails in the road’s surface, the horse’s hooves smacking like taffy with each step. When he reached the hazy business district, the only anticipation of returning life was the orange orbs of the gas lamps along the street. The hollow thwap of hooves faded into the mist until the click of the door lock was the only sound in the pre-dawn of 23rd Street.
The gray outline of the bicycle rested against the side of the stairwell where he had left it the day before, and he let out a breath as he
