Ridge: Day One

12. THE DAY OF LOSS

Hamel kept to the shadows as he made his way through the lower sections. On his way out of Eddel's compound, he had decided not to slip out a window or sneak out a side door. Despite how close they had grown in the short time Hamel was with Eddel, he suspected the man had kept a watch on him day and night. He knew if he did anything suspicious, he would not see the bullet coming. He had, instead, walked out the front door, past the guards, and through the courtyard.

Hamel smiled to himself. While his new life was far from ideal, he found humor in the darkest moments.

As he had reached the entrance to the courtyard, heading out into the streets and alleys, the guards had eyed him suspiciously. He often found the best way to remove suspicion was to act with authority. The one in charge was rarely suspected of flight. He had approached the men and, in a whisper, commanded, "When I exit this doorway, guard it securely. Do not allow anyone in or out unless you are sure of their identity."

"Yes, Patir Hamel," each guard responded in turn.

He had not expected the honorific from anyone in the lower sections, but his time with Eddel must have given them pause. It should have been obvious from the start, but in that moment, he was shocked to realize he could have had Eddel's empire when the criminal died.

It was far from a tempting option. He would not give up the opportunity to return to his place of honor for the worthless position of ruling a group of criminals, but the thought was intriguing.

His time with Eddel had taught him many things. He had learned much about the lower sections, and he had found out how little Eddel knew about and was involved in matters of the upper sections. The man had visions of establishing either himself or his successor as a new emperor of sorts over the People of the Ridge, but he posed no true threat.

By the time he had exited Eddel's compound, it was already dark. He walked with his hood raised to hide his identity and moved at nearly a run through the area.

Few wandered through the streets of the lower sections at night without nefarious intent. Eddel had at one point explained that one thief would rob a man, only to turn and be robbed by two other thieves, who in turn would be robbed by four. There was no safety in the streets at night.

He knew if he wanted, he could drop his hood and let those looking for a target know who he was. Since he had tied himself to Eddel, few would be foolish enough to rob him. He did not, however, wish to be identified.

Ten minutes into his journey, he noticed four hooded men on his tail. They looked small in the dark, and Hamel did not wish to take the time to deal with them, but a threat ignored was a death sentence in the lower sections.

He rounded a corner and leaned back against the wall in a dark area behind a pile of trash. When the men came around the corner, they hesitated, then broke into a run.

Since they were more or less heading in the direction he wished to go, he joined the men, running along behind the last man in their group. Now and then, one would look back and see him, but it was dark enough in the shadows of the buildings that it was hard to tell who was behind and who was in front. He found himself laughing at the absurdity of such a thing. He spent a few minutes, running left, then right, then left again. He ran up and down the streets with the four men, looking for himself.

Finally, the group of hooded men stopped. The four men leaned against a wall, gasping for air. Hamel stood with them, trying to control his laughter and pretended to be just as exhausted as they were.

They began to discuss where they thought their target had run off to. Hamel joined in now and then, offering suggestions as to where he might have turned. He could understand why they would not recognize him as they all wore hoods. He could not, however, believe they did not notice one more in their number.