S2W19: “Mi Corazon”

© 2022 Phylicia Joannis

Marcos cradled Miracle’s head in his hands, no longer caring that he was in a dumpster with a dead body. “What did you get yourself into, mi corazon?”

He gently pulled her body from the dumpster, laying her against the wall. A trail of dried blood left a stain under her nose, but there were no other signs of trauma. She looked more asleep than dead. He checked her pulse, first at her neck, then at her wrist, but found none. He put his ear close to her nose and mouth, but couldn’t feel any breath passing through. Her lips were blue, her skin held a gray pallor.

“What if . . .” Marcos stared at Miracle’s lips and leaned forward. Inches away from her mouth, he stopped himself. “What am I doing?” He shook his head.

This wasn’t a fairy tale. And kissing dead people was gross. If she were only asleep, it would still be creepy. He placed a hand on her cheek. It felt cool, but not cold. Strange. He pulled out his phone and began snapping photos to send to Coke.

“I hope whoever did this to you gets caught.” Marcos gritted his teeth, thumb hovering over the send button. He wanted justice for Miracle, but Coke would only want money. Was there a way for both of them to get what they wanted?

Marcos snapped out of his musings as Miracle’s body rolled from the wall to the alley. He put his phone away and pulled her up. As he propped her body back onto the wall, he heard a moan.

Startled, Marcos released Miracle’s body, and she tilted toward the ground. He caught her at an awkward angle. She rewarded him with another moan.

She was alive. He didn’t know how, but he didn’t care. His Miracle was alive. And she needed help. She needed him.

Elated, he held her face in his hands. “Miracle? Miracle, can you hear me?” Her eyes were still closed, but some of the color had returned to her face.

“I need to get you out of here.” Marcos tapped the wall in thought. Penny. She’d know what to do. Marcos lifted Miracle as gently as he could and hoisted her over his shoulder. He did a quick check for the other Shigna, then rushed to his car. He didn’t want anyone snitching. Though who would believe them if they did? He’d have to tell Coke, but he had no idea what to say.

“I’ll tell him later,” Marcos muttered to himself. He pulled away and headed towards Penny’s house.