xyst
*********************************
Sam leaned against a tree and looked down the promenade. It was beautiful place. The sun shone on the wide, neatly cobbled path. Well kept trees, shrubs and other plants lined the stree, giving the place a cheerful, inviting atmosphere. People walked along the path, each living their lives and going about their business. Sam hated it.
There were too many people for one. He had no idea what any of their intents were. Most of them were probably locals or tourists, but that did not mean all of them were. There were too many to keep track of, and it would be all too easy for someone to get the drop on him. Plus, the plants that were so popular represented a danger to him. They would offer precious little cover should something happen, while also providing ample concealment for anyone that might have unpleasant intentions.
The place may as well have been a death trap for people like him. If there was any other option, he would have taken it. His only solace was, ironically, the number of people around. While they made identifying potential threats nearly impossible, they also meant that any aggressors could not move freely. Not if they wanted to remain under cover, at any rate. He would have to take a chance.
With a deep breath to steel his nerves, he took a step away from the tree and out onto the promenade. After a few steps he was not dead, so that was a plus. In Sam’s line of work, every moment you were alive was a good one. He kept walking, eyes dating from side to side. It was not ideal, but with all the people around he would not be able to effectively hear anyone approaching, so that was all he had left.
He fought the urge to move quickly. That would just draw unnecessary attention, which was something he could do without. So he kept his pace casual. Even the way he held himself made him just another face in the crowd. It would not help against someone observant enough, but it would let him avoid a less wary hunter. It was probably the best defense he could have.
He made it passed the halfway point of the promenade, but he did not lower his guard. He could not afford to do that until he was in a safe haven. But at least in the city proper there were more hiding places he could use. He kept his pace even. Nobody even looked at him for more than a second or two. Then he froze.
While he was so focused on what was in front of him, he had slipped up. He felt something piercing his back. A small, thin something. A needle of some kind. His eyes widened.
“Sorry about this.” Came a gentle, quiet female voice from behind. “It’s nothing personal though. You know how it is. Got to pay the bills and all that. Don’t worry, you won’t die right away. I’d say you have about half an hour to get someplace nice and private before that lovely little organic needle dissolves and you start bleeding. Maybe you’ll get to a doctor in time. Maybe you won’t. Good luck, Sam.”
The woman passed by him. She was a moderately pretty woman, dressed in clothes that could have come from anywhere. Just another face in the crowd. Sam could appreciate that. If he survived, maybe he would even see her again. Of course if he did, he would have to try and kill her, but that was the world he lived in. But, before he could do that, he had to deal with his needle problem. He headed off into the city, looking for a place to get his wounds treated. He had a lot to look forward to now.
********************
Not sure if the ending is any good on this one. But I'm tired, so that's what you're getting. Maybe someday it'll be improved, but that's not too likely.
No comments:
Post a Comment