She wasn’t thinking about her sister’s murder. She definitely wasn’t thinking about her love life. All that filled her mind was relief. Noire pressed through the crowd, inhaling the cool Lake Ontario air and exhaling her memories of the city. Bye for now, Toronto—can’t say I’ll miss you. For a park warden like Noire, who spent most of her days in the quiet of the Algonquin forests hours north of the city, the din of Toronto was always a shock. People were friendly, sure, but there were just too damn many of them. Her senses had been completely overwhelmed by mingling odors of sweat and cologne, blaring car horns and building lights blinding her from all sides like a swarm of crazed fireflies. The sweetness of the lake filled her lungs now, moist and cool. She took the ferry steps two at a time, heading for the second level. The railing was cold beneath her hand. As her feet slipped on steps slick with water, she gripped the rail tighter, letting the discomfort wake her up. The perilous trek had been worth it—the second level was deserted.
