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He felt a cold hand run through his hair and rest
on the back of his neck. Richard looked up to see
Felix hovering beside him. “We've all found a
place here after telling our story” she said.

“You can find a home here if you just finish the
story” injected Ray. The collection of shadows
outside the circle of light seemed to murmur in
agreement. Although he was covered in flames,
Ray still wore a friendly smile. Richard struggled
to regain control of his voice.

“After a while | just had to end it. | had no better
reason then the fact that | just didn’t want to get
married.”

“And how did she react?” asked Ray.

“She was heartbroken of course; she didn't
accept my reason for leaving... kept on asking
for an explanation, but | couldn't give her one.”
“And that's how you left things?”

“| had to get out of there; everyone hated me...”
“Don't worry you're still loved” said Felix as she
tightened her hand on Richard's neck.

“Well | guess that’s all | need.” said Ray as he
produced a pen from amongst the flames. Ray's
hand became a blur as he began writing in the
notebook. “Ok so I've got your story here as part
of the record” said Ray with a wink. The fire let
out one more giant flare then went out.

‘Now can | get the fuck outta here!?” Yelled
Richard. Felix’s cold hand on the back of his
began to grow warm again.“ You're free to go if

your story, aS long as youre within these walls
you won't feel any guilt.” said Ray.

off the snow resumed its assault on his eyes.
Richard began walking away with no destination
in mind. Despite what he had seen in the bar.
Richard's mind kept jumping back to Julia. The
familiar pangs of guilt boiled in his stomach and
tears began to flow down his cheek. Before
he was two blocks away from the Smoldering
Lion, Richard found that he could go no further.
His legs betrayed him and his stomach felt like
a writhing mass of snakes. Richard made it to
a bench at a bus stop and fumbled through his
pocket for a cigarette. Despite his trembling
hands, Richard managed to get it lit. ‘| can go

back right. That was the promise’ he thought.
The cold air made his exhalations of smoke look

ridiculously big. Abus passed without stopping
Richard turned around and went back the way

Upon reentering the bar, Richard noticed that
Ray was no longer seated by the fireplace. His
eyes seemed better adjusted to the low light; he
could clearly distinguish the other people in the
pub. Nobody paid any attention to his reentry;
the others either sat alone or in small groups of
no more than three.

Richard walked over to the bar where Felix was
pouring a series of pints. As he approached, she
looked up, “another pint of the cheap stuff?” she
asked. Her once tepid smile was replaced with
a beaming grin. Richard's eyes scanned behind
the bar; he noticed Ray’s leather note book
resting next to a row of dusty glasses.

“Sure do” replied Richard with a sigh.

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