Tales From The Alley: contos, #1

By Ricardo Almeida

Embark on a riveting journey through the poignant tale of Mr. Adam and his unexpected encounter with Bulka in "Miracles in the Shadows." As the elderly nurse sternly blocks Mr. Adam's path in the narrow hospital corridor, a cascade of events unfolds, leading him to the enigmatic and sorrowful Bulka. In a gripping narrative, witness the resilience of a man trapped in the solitude of his reclusive life, sparked by a loaf of bread. The night takes an unexpected turn when a mysterious sigh pierces the darkness, drawing Mr. Adam into the depths of compassion and connection. As Mr. Adam navigates a deserted alley, a flicker of curiosity compels him to confront the inexplicable—a heap of rags with a single, shining eye. The ensuing encounter with Bulka, a dog mourning her owner, unfolds against the backdrop of a midnight meeting with an intriguing old lady. Join this unlikely trio on an emotional rollercoaster, where compassion, sorrow, and hope intertwine. From the hospital corridors to the quiet neighborhood, "Miracles in the Shadows" is a tale that transcends the ordinary, weaving together the threads of loneliness, love, and second chances. Intrigue deepens as Mr. Adam invites Bulka into his humble abode, and the duo embarks on a transformative journey of healing. The story unfolds with vivid imagery, from the dark alley to the makeshift bed near the window, capturing the essence of newfound companionship. As the past haunts Mr. Adam and memories of a lost love resurface, the narrative skillfully navigates the complexities of human emotions. "Miracles in the Shadows" is a testament to the enduring power of connection, the beauty of unexpected friendships, and the miracles that unfold when hearts open to the possibility of love. Immerse yourself in this heartwarming tale that will stay with you long after the final page is turned.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ricardo Almeida
• Release date: Nov 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223395409

Book preview

Table of Contents

Tales From The Alley (contos, #1)

The elderly nurse shook her head reproachfully and placed her hands on her hips.

Where do you think you're going, Mr. Adam?

Stop these tantrums.

We have plenty to do without you, she said, blocking the narrow hospital corridor with

her ample figure and frowning.

You're not going anywhere until Monday.

Go back to your ward, Mr. Adam.

The pale, tall man despairingly punched the wall with his fist.

Listen.

I have a dog there, she's been without food for I don't know how long.

When did I get admitted here?

Day before yesterday, grumbled the nurse.

Her face softened slightly, but she still firmly blocked the way.

The doctor will be here on Monday and then you can discuss the discharge, she said.

Well, can't you understand the man raised his voice?

And don't you yell at me here?

Stop yelling.

Behind the nurse, a woman in a surprisingly bright red medical outfit appeared.

What's going on here, Ms. Angelina?

I could hear you all the way from the residence office at the other end of the corridor, she

said, looking questioningly at the nurse.

Ms. Hillary, Mr. Adam is causing a scene, the nurse replied.

I didn't cause any trouble, the man retorted and wearily rubbed his forehead.

I just really need to go home.

I'm telling you again, it's not allowed.

Your attending doctor will only be here tomorrow and you'll have to talk to him then, the

nurse said.

Ms. Hillary, who had been observing the exchange closely, interrupted the nurse.

Who is his attending doctor?

Mr. Carter.

Ms. Angelina, Mr. Carter worked his last day on Friday.

He's on vacation for two weeks.

You're on duty, don't worry.

I'll handle this myself.

The nurse gave Adam an irritated look once more and went about her business, mumbling

something under her breath.

Let's go to the examination room, Ms. Hillary suggested.

Ms. Hillary smiled and pointed to the door at the end of the corridor.

The man obediently followed.

While the doctor conducted the examination, tapping his knees, scratching the palms and

feet with the sharp end of the reflex hammer, Adam tried to remember what had happened.

He left home and...

Why did he leave in the first place?

For the past year and a half, he had been leading a reclusive life.

It all started with a loaf of bread.

Yes, that's it, a loaf of bread.

Adam muttered to himself.

He went to the nearest 24-hour store for his usual purchases, sausages, dumplings, instant

noodles, mayonnaise, sugar, and coffee.

He tried to leave home as rarely as possible, and if he had to, it was during the nighttime

to encounter as few people as possible.

Adam walked along the dark alley, keeping his head low and not looking around.

Just reached the store quickly by everything, and back home to the safety of my loved ones'

walls, he thought.

Suddenly, the night silence was broken by a loud, sorrowful sigh, and he flinched.

He stopped and looked around.

The alley was still deserted.

Adam took a slow step forward.

The sigh repeated, and he noticed some movement in the nearest bushes.

He should have walked away, but for some reason, he decided to take a look.

Who could be sighing so heavily there?

Something glittered from the dim thicket.

Adam recoiled, but scolding himself for being cowardly, he took out his phone and turned

on the flashlight.

The beam illuminated something inexplicable, a heap of dirty rags and one shining eye.

Who are you?

Adam asked.

The heapside heavily again.

Alright.

Well, wait here, and I'll bring you something to eat.

Deal?

The single I blinked in agreement.

The man emerged from the bushes and hurriedly continued on his way.

Something about the sighing being intrigued him.

He recognized a familiar pain emanating from the inhabitant of the bushes.

Nonsense, of course, Adam grumbled to himself.

Just some creature.

What could it possibly feel?

After finishing his usual shopping and stopping by the meat section, he added some chicken

fillets to his purchases.

As he turned into the same dark alley again, Adam heard the sigh again from afar.

I'm coming, I'm coming.

The heap was waiting for him in the same spot.

The eye glimmered sadly in the light of the flashlight.

I don't know what you are, but here's some chicken.

Eat.

Adam tore open the packaging of the meat and placed the tray in front of the sighing

creature.

You wasted your effort.

A high-pitched voice came from somewhere above.

She won't eat it.

She's in sorrow.

Adam startled, jumped and painfully scratched his elbow on a sharp branch.

He looked around, and there was a small multi-story building behind the bushes.

The lights were off at this late hour, so Adam hadn't paid attention to the nearby

structure.

In the window, a tidy little old lady sat with her wrinkled hands neatly folded on the

window sill.

There was a steaming cup in front of her, a small jar of jam, a handful of candies, and

a huge bagel.

I'm having a midnight snack, the old lady explained, nodding towards the spread.

As for you, go home, don't exhaust yourself.

She won't