You stood at the far end of the canal next to Stally and Eddie. You held Eddie’s finger, you were together. The dark, stinking water echoed off the walls as Bill pulled an old pair of sneakers out of the filth. A mixture of excitement and unease spread across his face.

“Look!”

Richie and Eddie looked at each other and whispered, “Not a…” Bill held the shoe carefully, as if afraid the sole would come off.

“Not Gergie’s boot,” Bill said.

Eddie asked in surprise

“Then whose shoe is it?”

*Bill turned the shoe with a long stick while Richie shone a flashlight inside. Inside the shoe was a name written in black felt tip pen Rispon