An hour or so, and three drinks later, Sera arose from her seat in the corner. Billy Holliday was on the jukebox. She stood and left a tip. On her way out, she noticed she was the only person in the place. Odd, for lunchtime, she thought, and continues outside. When she opened the door into the dizzying light of day, the first thing she saw was a white bird spring from the ground to a perch atop a lightpole. She glared at the bird. She knew this bird, also. Why is she now a friend with flying animals? She didn't even want to know, she wanted a break from the insanity. As she walked past the bird, she swore she saw it smile at her. On the way home in the cab, she remembered last night's cabbie. This guy either wasn't as friendly, or didn't speak English well. Maybe he will live, she thought to herself. She was believing all this mystery! Man, I need a break! She thought, as the cab stopped where she always got off. This time though, there was no Japanese lady or Kimonos. The spot was filled with a man selling hats. As she walked to her familiar corner, she knew better than to even try to listen for any soulful jazz. 'M' street was crowded though. It always was this time of day. People hurrying to and fro, like ants. Making her way through the invisible maze of area between shoulders, she looked up and saw Sahirs'. Maybe she would get a cold beer and ask how he was doing. When she neared the door the sign gave her the update. The hastily written sign said they were closed- indefinitely. The lock opened with a snap. She walked in and took off her shoes. She curled up her toes, and felt relieved, as she made her way to her bed. She fell face forward and felt the collision like a tidal wave of comfort. Her hand reached and pressed the waiting answer machine. Two messages. The first one was the agency. They wondered where the client was, and why he hadn't paid." Sera groaned, that would be hard to explain. The message continued, " Don't forget your Four O'clock." She had already forgotten it. She dug her head deeper into the pillow. The second message started, "Hey, Kiki! It's Jason! Denise wanted me to call ya an' make sure you're still comin' up tonight. 'Member? O's and A's?" That's right with all this angel of death business, she forgot the baseball game in Baltimore tonight! She supposed she should go, when the message got serious, "See, I'm calling 'cause you know how D has been sick alot lately, well...she's really sick, but she's going and it would mean alot to her if you were there, y'know..Hope ta see ya!" Okay, she would go. She needed a break anyway; this area was driving her crazy, especially lately! She lifted herself out of bed and started packing a bag. Maybe the insanity would stay home. She took the metro to Baltimore and arrived at the station. It was just turning dark out. The twilight time was the times she loved best. Jason and Denise were waiting in the parking lot for her. After greetings, they decided to catch up over dinner and drinks. At the restaurant, Sera noticed Denise did not eat and asked why. She was too ill she said. A weird feeling passed over Sera. Was she here watching her friend die? The rest of the conversation went normally. Drinks flew happily, and everyone talked about old stories that were too funny to let die. Finally, they arrived at Camden Yards. It was quite packed tonight. They had real good seats, Sera got them from a client with season passes. As they sat Sera noticed Denise's face. She pale, and sullen, like Sera had never seen before. Jason took off in search of the "beer man" and first round, since he has the I.D. Denise looked sadly at Sera and asked: Do you ever get scared of dying? "No, No, never, don't even say that." Sera pleaded. "Never? Not even on the streets?" Denise asked again. Denise worked at the agency a few months ago, before falling in live with Jason. "Maybe, but we're strong!" Sera answered, trying to convince both Denise and herself. "Hmm, yeah." Denise purred as she sat back in her chair. It was obvious that she didn't feel well. Sera sat back as well. Her mind now racing. She has never been this close to the darkness of death before. This was the grieving BEFORE the death. A grieving she wondered why she has never felt before with anyone else. Tonight was truly her Requiem. Jason appeared with three large, yellow cups. Everyone grabbed one. Jason lifted his tall in the air to be met by the others and exclaimed, "Drink up!" Sera pulled the glass to her lips and remembered an old saying, and thought, '..for tomorrow you may die.' The game was exciting and fun. The trio laughed and yelled and drank. A good time was had by all. Even Denise, who was very ill, enjoyed herself, and participated in "the wave." But every so often Sera would look at her, and feel a sort of sorrow, for the both of them. After the game the gang went back to the house Jason and Denise were staying in. It was just outside of town, and very quiet. The only neighbor was a Toys 'R Us, which had a huge open field of cement, where cars once parked. As they walked up the driveway to the porch, Jason commented there was no smoking inside. Sera opted to join them inside. Denise apologized, and said she needed to sleep. Sera gave her a big hug, and told her she would see her in the morning. Jason said he'd put her to bed, then join her on the porch. Sera lit a cigarette, and sat on the porch steps, staring into the distance. Then she saw it! That damn black bird! She darted up and with all her might hurled an empty beer bottle at it. The bottle hit the pole it was on and broke into many pieces. "You damn bird!, you fuckin' goddamn bird!!" she was yelling, and running at the pole. "You gonna fuckin' follow me?! Get! Get!" She realized she had now ran like a lunatic halfway across the Toys 'R Us parking lot. 'Good thing there's no neighbors' she thought. She started to turn back to the house when the bird landed in front of her. As she stared into his beady eyes, she felt an understanding with the bird. It all hit her at once. This was no ordinary bird! This bird even had a name, it was Harbinger! The bird appeared, and bad things would happen. He was the driver of doom. The messenger of sadness. These thoughts faded as her anger grew. "No!" she screamed, "not Denise!" The bird looked at the ground solemnly. "....and Jason?" The bird looked down again. "...and what of me?" she asked. The bird looked her right in the eye. Sera was overcome with a feeling of doom. Impending doom. The dread that comes with a timer. Suddenly, the bird took flight. Sera slowly gazed at the house. She heard a scream "Nooooo!", then a shotgun to the head. They were both Jason. ***END OF PART SIX***