CHAPTER 54 Echoes of the Past

David's phone buzzed with a message as he sat in a dimly lit bar, nursing a whiskey. The familiar name flashed across the screen: Mark. A mix of emotions surged within him – anticipation, curiosity, and a tinge of anxiety. Mark, his old friend, a connection to a life that seemed like a distant echo. With a nod to the bartender, David stepped out into the cool night, guided by the neon glow of the city. In a secluded alley, marked by the same graffiti-covered walls that had sheltered Lisa moments ago, David found Mark waiting. The streetlight cast shadows on Mark's face, revealing the wear and tear of the years they spent apart. His eyes held a mix of surprise and wariness, mirroring David's own sentiments. "David," Mark said, a half-smile playing on his lips. "Long time, huh?" David reciprocated the smile, a blend of nostalgia and uncertainty. "Yeah, it's been too long. How have you been, Mark?" They exchanged pleasantries, the conversation dancing around the unspoken truth