Golden Ashes

Chapter 2

"You're crazy if you think that's gonna happen." He stands up and looks down at me, as if he actually does think i'm crazy.

"I'll die if I stay here."

"You wouldn't be the first person I've killed."

I flinch. "You..." I look up at him again, seeing him differently.

"I'm?" He stays where he is but turns his body away from me, hands in his pockets.

"What did you say your name was?" I ask.

"I didn't. Now, this has been lovely and all, but I'm leaving. I'm not taking you with me. You can stay here and bleed out, or you can limp your way to someone who cares." He walks away, farther down the alley.

I scramble up after him. "No wait." I wince and grab my thigh.

"I wouldn't suggest following me."

"And I don't suggest you leave me."

He looks back at me, "Yeah, and what will you do about it?"

He's not that much farther ahead of me, so I take a step forward.

"I will follow you." I take another step and put a hand on the wall.

He just stares at me.

"And I will tell the police where to find you." I lean against the wall and wince.

"The police? Why would I care about what you tell them?"

"I'm not the only one on the news, you know."

He looks away and I can hear him mutter something. And then he walks towards me. "Or I can just end it all here." He reaches for me.

I move out of the way and grab his wrist, my nails just barely touching his skin. "If I scratch you, you're dead."

He grabs me with his other hand, one finger off of me. "And if this finger touches you, you're dead."

I stare at him. "Take me with you." It comes out as more of a growl than a sentence.

"Why should I?"

"Because if you were going to kill me, you would have already. And if you leave me, I'll just tell."

He makes a noise, something between a sigh and a grunt. But he doesn't protest again. Instead he leans and grabs my legs, pulling me up into his arms. "I'm already regretting this."

I hold on to him. "Sure you are." I smile as he walks off, deeper into the alley.