Worlds End

Chapter 1

A certain darkness is needed to see the stars. They shine out brightly in the blackness above, staring down at me. The hot wind thats running threw the sky ruffling my hair, but not affecting them in the least. I wonder how many other people wander empty cities like this one. Well not quite empty. Three shadows move in the streets below. Quiet voices seek upwards. Sighing I follow them silently on the rooftops. Its not long before I see there purpose tonight. A young boy walks among these streets also, seemingly unknowing of the three men following him. The boy turns, right into a dead end. Spinning around he spots the men who were following him.
"Well look what we have here boys," one the men says to the others, "Another young'n out all on his own."
"P-please," the boy stutters, "I can give you my wallet. And my watch. Just don't hurt me."
The man steps forward, grabbing the boys shirt in his fist pulling him off the ground. The boy struggles trying to get free. Looks like its my turn to join in.
Gravel crunches under my boots as I jump to the ground.
"Hey fellas," my voice calls out, "Why don't you leave the boy alone and pick on someone your own size. Please"
The man who is holding the boy up, (Ive decided he's the leader of the group), faces me, still holding the boy.
"Oh," he snarls, "And why should I do that punk?"
I shrugged, "Because I said please?"
The man laughed, throwing the boy to the cement, where he cries out in pain. The man motion for the other guys to step back.
"Oh I'm going to make you regret this son".
"Then I'm looking forward to regretting it."
I watch as he steps forward, his arm swinging back.
His fist comes toward my head and I duck out of the way behind him. I glance to the other boy, and see him staring wide-eyed at me from a corner. Motioning for him to run, I'm distracted, and the man Im fighting slams a rock on the side of my head. Falling to the gravel, stars dance in front of my eyes. The two other men on the sides laugh.
"Go Kris," they cheer.
The man, Kris smiles.
"Stay still," he says to me. I aim a punch at his head. Pain laces threw my arm and he tosses me, hitting the wall hard. A line of blood wells upon my skin.
"Come on," a voice yells from the other end of the alley. Looking up I see the boy waving at me to follow him. Not daring to look to see if the men would follow us. Running after the boy I heard one of the men shout after us.
"This'll learn you a lesson boys. Stay out of our way."
Echo's of laughter trail behind us as I follow the strange boy threw the streets of the city. After a few minutes and many winding roads he stops, leaning against a wall.
"That," he says smiling, "Was amazing".
"What," I hear the shock in my own voice.
"They were total fools. By the way I was betting on you ya know," he holds out his hand, "Im Ress."
I took his hand warily, shaking it.
"Im Aidan."
He smiles, "You were amazing against those guys. How did you learn to fight like that?"
"I didn't. I mean, I cant fight. The guy hit me in the head."
Ress shrugs, "You win some. You loose some. I know where you can get that fixed by the way."
He gestures to my arm, which is still bleeding.
"Is it a safe house?"
Ress smiles, "Its as safe as it gets."