Late Night Out

*11:15pm*

11:15pm.

Slowly I peer up at the dark figure bending over the heaping amounts of garbage to get a better look at us.

"We're hiding," I simply state trying to keep my voice as steady as possible.

"From what?" He questions.

I frown a little, "Not so much as a what, but a who." Then I give him a questioning look, "I'm assuming you're not one of those said people?"

A second later I realized that that was unnecessary question - if he were one of those violent hooligans who had crashed the club, I would have been grabbed by the collar of my shirt and dragged down to god knows where.

Before he can answer I wave my hand in dismissal and mutter, "no never mind, stupid question."

The stranger smiles down at me, "may I be of any assistance in your escape plan?"

I'm on my toes, the hair on the back of my neck pricks up as nerves pulse through me. My friend beside me is in no condition to wander around on her own and she looks tuckered out. Knowing that she may drink as much as she pleases, it will all backfire in the end. I've seen what too much liquid courage does to someone the morning after.

Her eyes are drooping and she has bound her limbs tightly together towards her body reassembling a ball.

My instincts tell me to let him be on his way and reject his offering of help. For god's sake, he's a stranger wandering the alleyways of Manhattan at night, what's to trust?

"Honestly, we can manage on our own," I reply back firmly, "now you'd best be moving along."

After I say this, he just gives a slight shrug saying at least he tried. Then turns to the mouth of the alley and starts trekking back the way he came from.

Usually when applying what appears to be reverse psychology, the rest falls into place and you get the exact opposite of what was asked for. In this case, this guy accepted the terms I had layed out and rolled with it. It's strange where conversation tactics can lead to - especially interesting when you are presented the unexpected.

I didn't think I'd make it this far on my own tonight. Maybe I should've let the random man take over my job and guide us his way, maybe I wanted him to do just that.

The sounds around of have been reduced to the rush of late night traffic and faint calls from the bar. Right now as everything has seem to have settled, this need to lay low in this location seems a little melodramatic and unnecessary. But all that races through my mind is that you never know when you will be targeted or in someone's line of view. That someone probably would preferably not be welcome at that moment.

Ok, I'm going to count down from three, and then when it's over, you will haul yourselves back home to safety.

3.

2.

1 - Wait, I heard something.

Our next move is postponed for now, this could mean trouble.

The evening air picks up into a gusty breeze. Between two garbage cans is a slight that allows for some view of whatever could be lurking beyond this tucked away area. From there I catch a quick glimpse of a brown paper bag tumbling across the ground.

A deep breath is exhaled when I didn't even realize I was holding my breath, afraid even a tiny puff of air might disturb the subtle city noises that already smother the air.

It was too soon to be relieved because then I hear it - the real threat.

Loud shouts, hoots and hollers descend down the small area.