The Sapphire Dragon

Part 3

I fly close to the ground so I can see the footprints glowing below me. After a bit I get as close to town as I dare and land beside the footprint trail. I shift into my human form and put on the clothes I brung with me. After I slip on the pendant and walk on to the glowing trail to continue following it. It leads me into the town which is mostly empty because it's getting late. I continue to follow the trail into a dark alley.

As I step into the alley I hear people coming up behind me. I turn around to find 3 guys standing there reeking of alcohol.

I cover my nose at the stench and say 'What do you want with me? I'm just trying to get home so please leave me alone."

A tall red haired guy laughs and slurs out "No, we won't leave you be. We want what you have in your bag there. If you won't willingly give it to us then we will have to take it."

With that they start to come further down the alley towards me. I start to panic a bit because I can't use my dragon strength here. If I do then it will be obvious a dragon was here and I don't want to draw any unwanted attention. I am brought out of my thoughts as the red-head lunges forward and takes a swing at me. I dodge the blow but get punched in the gut by a guy with a scar across his cheek. 

I stagger back and hit a wall. I realize I have nowhere to run now, I have to fight. I raise my fists up and punch scarface straight in the jaw. I then manage to side step a kick from the black haired dude and push the redhead into scarface who was just getting up off the ground. They both topple over and I turn to run back down the alley just in time to get a fist from black hair straight in the eye. I stagger back and hold a hand over my eye.

I feel it start to swell, and I can tell it will leave a nasty bruise. I silently curse as scarface and redhead get up and start to come toward me again. I sigh and get ready to use some of my dragon strength. I put my hands back up and this time when scarface swings at me I sidestep him and bring my fist down on the back of his head, knocking him out. I then dodge a poorly aimed punch from black hair and kick him into the wall, knocking him out as well.

I then turn to redhead. He is standing behind me breathing heavily. He comes forward and swings aiming for my side. I decide to let him hit me so I can bring my fists down on his skull like I did scarface. I realize too late that he has a knife and feel the sharp pain in my side as he slashes it across my hip.

I stagger back holding my side. He advances again and again, growing more confident with each time he cuts me. I brought myself up for one last try to sidestep him and knock him out. He goes for my leg and as he slices open my thigh I bring my hands down hard on the back of his head. He slumps down, falling against my legs. I stumble back and let him fall to the ground.

I'm about to turn back around when I feel a cloth being pressed onto my nose and mouth from behind. I try to fight but one breath of whatever's on the cloth and I start to feel dizzy. Whoever it is lets me fall to the ground. I lay there trying to fight against the darkness threatening to overtake me. The last thing I see before going unconscious is someone leaning over me and saying something.