Dustin closed in on the center of the old bridge. He could hear the sounds of the city just fine from here, like faraway birdcalls, but his footsteps seemed very loud on the pavement. He looked behind him, making sure there was no sudden police presence. The inclusion of staying away from cops in the instructions hed been given did not make him feel better at all.

When he reached what he assumed to be the center of the bridge, Dustin stopped. He looked down to the dark waters of the Harlem River and found it peaceful. To think that about a year ago he had thought about jumping into this very same river (not from this bridge, but still…) was overwhelming. He really had come a long way. He thought of the emails and of how his life might change because of them. He knew it was selfish, but he didnt think it was fair that he had overcome addictions of several kinds and still had this possible life-altering bomb lurking out there.

Dustin checked his watch and saw that it was 2:32. It was only two minutes past the agreed upon time but it was enough to make him wonder if had has been some sort of prank. He feared that his wife would call at any moment, asking where the hell he was. Asking if he was with her again, if hed gone back to his old ways. He looked back down to the water, churning almost silently in the darkness, and thought about the man hed been a year ago, of all of the mistakes hed willingly made and

Something moved behind him. It was a quick thumping noise, like a footstep.

He turned to see who it was, not liking how fast it sounded.

Dustin wasnt even able to turn halfway around before he was slammed hard against the side of the bridge. This hurt bad enough, the wind rushing out of him and a pins and needles sensation rushing up his spine. But before he was even aware of these pains, he was acutely aware of someone lifting him by his legs, as if trying to trip him.

He had just enough time to get out What are y before the world went upside down.

He banked his head on the side of the bridge and everything started swirling as he fell. Falling, he thought. Im falling. Who was up there? Who was it and how did they know

That final thought was never fully formed as he slammed into the dark, waiting water and the life rushed right out of him.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN