The girl pulled her hood down more tightly over her head and whistled. She darted between the hustle and bustle of the busy street, weaving in and out of the crowd like a seasoned pickpocket. With a swift move, she swiped a fruit from a nearby stand and slipped it into her bag, disappearing seamlessly into the throng of people. The girl knew she needed to find a place to rest, so she rubbed her weary eyes and continued on her way.
She continued to look around for a place to stay, eventually walking into a side street. The hairs on the back on her neck bristled. She felt eyes on her, but she ignored it. The feeling of cold steel on her neck abruptly stopped her string of thoughts.
"Hello?" Her shaky voice rang out.
"Give me ya shit," a nasily voice replied. It belonged to a small boy, slightly bigger than the girl herself, he stank. Not that you could tell, the alleyway reeked of dirt and rotten food. But she felt him behind her, one hand on the knife, another in a pocket. Pathetic. The girl elbowed him, dogging the knife that came towards her.
She swung around, aiming for the kids' face but swinging a little low. A sickly look came upon his face. He wiped his neck, no blood. The girl took her chance and hit him again. The boy went down.
"Oh? I thought I was the easy target?" the girl tutted, chuckling as the boy started to shimmy away from her, the knife still in his hand. She lowered her hood, looking into the boys eyes. The kid started to shake. He did the only thing he could think of, he stabbed the girl, using it as a distraction. He slipped as he ran. Dodging between the crates and rubbish that lined the dingy alleyway
The girl winced as she pulled the knife out of her side, her breath coming in shallow gasps. With a grimace, she leaned against the crate, watching as the boy scrambled away, weaving between crates and rubbish.
She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, a mixture of adrenaline and anger welling up inside her. As the boy ran, she gritted her teeth, pushing herself to her feet. She wouldn't let him get away that easily. But for now, she needed to rest.
She whistled again, holding her side, trying to contain the already pooling blood. It bled onto her shirt. The girl started to feel dizzy, her vision whitening in on the sides, but she remained calm. Her neck hairs stood on end. Someone else is coming. Someone more dangerous than a stray with a pocket knife. The knife she was stabbed with, she now tucked into her sleeve. Her bag rested next to her but close enough to grab and run if needs be. For now, she waited.
YOU ARE READING
The ZaunWright
ActionA new fairytale told to the children of Zaun speaks of purple-haired woman, her panther always by her side. Depending on who you ask, she's an angel, a protector, a healer, or to others a harbinger of death.
