Summer wrapped her arms around herself and walked. The city that never sleeps was not sleeping, but it was late, and the roar and surf of humanity had dwindled to a softer hush of withdrawing tides. She’d fled to the enveloping trees of the park, desperate to get out of the walls that seemed to be closing in, echoing back her own thoughts more loudly with each passing moment.

But tonight the distant stars and rustling, darkened greenery did nothing to soothe her aching soul. Tears found their way down her face, sliding slow and cool and ignored, while she walked and walked and the world passed her by without a sound.