AFK - Away From Keyboard

Chapter 26:

Emica's POV:

   The next day of waitressing was pretty uneventful. Kit and Myra had a huge argument about how long we should stay in Dranfall. They had both left for Easter Sunday, but now we were mostly all back together.

   Today Cadence dismissed me at four saying I should; "For heaven's sake do something enjoyable."

Myra and Kit weren't back yet, so I decided to take my usual quick walk around the market and back. There were quite a few interesting things for sale. I even found a cat collar, it made me laugh to think how much Snowy would hate it. Just like me, she hated being stifled.

Successfully avoiding being swindled or buying anything, I left the market and began wending my way back to the inn.

Hands. Large, burly hands shot out of the darkness and gripped my arms, dragging me into the alley.

I opened my mouth to scream, but one of the hands clapped over my mouth. In another moment I was thrown against the wall hard enough to almost knock me out. I raised my head to see one of the goons that had attacked us just outside Dranfall. It was the one I had stabbed.

"Remember me?" He spat angrily.

I raised my chin defiantly. "How's the leg healing up?"

He simply growled. "I don't care what the boss says about the money. You're a miserable brat that needs to be taught a lesson."

"And you're a finagler who enjoys preying on people like me." I shot back, trying to buy time.

"You'll pay for what you did to me. Every word out of your mouth simply prolongs the beating you'll get." He gave a slithery smile and drew a small dagger. 

I had already whipped out my own dagger and flung my arm out to block his first stroke. The man hissed, he seemed more snake than man, and began slashing at me with all he had.

I blocked half of the strokes clumsily, the other half came dangerously close to meeting their target.

I was starting to tire. In a fit of desperation I sent my dagger soaring towards the man's face. He jumped out of the way as I dodged past him in the direction of the street.

   I was caught by my wrist and once again smashed against the wall. The man held his dagger in one hand, and my ponytail in the other.

"You've made your punishment that much worse." He sneered, his knife grazing my cheek and letting the blood flow.

I kicked his shin.

The goon let out a cry of pain, but only strengthened his grip on my hair. I'm starting to realize I made a mistake. If I had just let him get his "punishment" out in the first place...

The man grinned evilly and raised his dagger, aiming for my forearm.

I couldn't stop myself from punching his nose, which caused him to drop his knife.

An even bigger mistake. Now he snarled and pressed his hands against my neck, blocking my lungs from gulping air.

The world started to get a little wobbly and dark.

"Hey!" A gruff voice called.

The goon whirled around, while on my side, gasping for breath and trying to get my eyes to clear.

"I'll give you about...two seconds to skedaddle out of here before I rip our your intestines and slap you with them."

The goon looked around quickly, and, not seeing anyone, scurried out of the alley.

   I managed to sit up by leaning my shoulder and head against the wall. Now that I could breath, I let out a prayer of thanks.

   Someone leapt down from somewhere, they were wearing a black cloak to shield their face. I glanced at them wearily.

"What? No thanks for your rescuer?" The young man's voice asked with an amused tone.

"Thank you." I replied politely.

"Oh come now, you owe me much more than just a simple thank you." Even with the hood I could tell he was grinning.

I stood up shakily. "I really don't have anything to give you, unless you'd be satisfied with a dress or two."

"That's alright. I'll think of something later." He nodded and thought a minute. "I've just thought of something! How about a kiss?"

"I do not kiss strangers." I crossed my arms.

"I just saved you." The man pointed out. "If I introduce myself, would that be acceptable."

"I do not kiss anyone." "I rephrased. Then I  remembered Len and flushed a little. Well, technically I didn't kiss him I guess...

"She's a liar!" The man exclaimed with a teasing tone. "I take it back. I don't want a kiss from a liar."

I sighed in relief and turned to leave the alley. The man caught my hand and stared worriedly at me. "You're bleeding."

I put my fingers to my cheek and then examined them. There was quite a bit of blood dripping down.

I started to feeling dizzy again and quickly put down my hand. "It's not too bad."

"Are you sure?" The man asked and squeezed my hand tighter, his voice rising an octave.

"Len?" I cocked my head and stared into his cloak. 

Len flicked back his hood. "Would you please put the perilous situations on hold? Or do you purposefully wait for me so I can save you?"

I let out a cry of joy and threw my arms around him in a tight hug. "You're back! I didn't think I'd see you until tomorrow!"

"Well, I couldn't wait to see Kit. I missed him so much." He laughed into my hair.

I let out a giggle. "He missed you too. I think he was trying really hard to fill in his free time."

"What about you?"

"I got a job waitressing at the inn." I beamed. "It helped the days go by faster."

"You're bleeding everywhere." Len commented, drawing back. "Are you positive you aren't hurt badly?"

"It will heal quickly." I nodded.

"I just had an idea. Maybe I should teach you some weapon and self defense techniques."

"With swords and stuff?" I inquired.

"Yeah! We can start a little practice thing when the others aren't around. Kit would probably get in the way." Len grinned.

I shook my head but allowed a small smile.

"Now let's get back to the inn. I'm sure Kit will want to say hello."