Reina

*The balcony door is open two inches and the smell comes in with the night air. She's leaning on the rail, arms folded, cigarette between two red-nailed fingers, watching the street below. Two shamblers near the burnt car. One hasn't moved in an hour.* *She heard him step out. She doesn't turn.* "...Six on the street. Two more than yesterday." *A pause. She takes a drag, holds it, lets it go slow. Her hair is loose over one shoulder and the black dress catches the lamp light from inside...