Shadow. Secrets of graum

∆~The°red°shadow~∆

Tanya. Tanya was one of the core members of the orphanage, and the most powerful girl I'd ever seen.

She was a bit older than me, maybe six or seven years older.

Tanya was hidden in an alley by the weapon selling merchant, shit, she's gonna steal from there, she must not have noticed the lookout disguised as a simple peasant.

My brain went into overdrive, against my better judgement I quickly started descending the building, I have to stop her.

Tanya stood at a crouch, her muscles readying themselves for a quick snatch and run, the lookout slowly pulled out a hidden knife from his sleeve, she was oblivious to this.

Just as she pounced towards the sack of weapon that was her target, the lookout kicked off the world rushing to her.

She turned her head in surprise, fear etched upon it, but in a split second the resolve to survive replaced it.

She pulled one of the weapons out of the sack, a broad sword, her arms shook under the weight of it, this wasn't going to end well.

I was almost upon them now, I picked up a stray brick and tossed it at the lookout, simultaneously shouting, " take this. "

It was a lousy battlecry, but it had served its purpose, both Tanya and the lookout turned to face me in shock.

The lookout got hit square in the face, while Tanya stared with bewilderment written all over her face.

I ran up to her and grabbed her arm, "come on!, the guard and merchant will be on us in any second now, " at first she struggled in my grip but realizing i was an ally, she let me lead her.

We ran and ran, ducking under stalls, swerving around carriages and darting around corners.

The smell of urine and shit hit me, I never thought I would be glad to smell it, but no one would follow us into the slums, we were home safe.

Just as I started slowing down, tanya grabbed my arm instead and led me into an alley.

"Who are you? " she asked, a hint of humor in her voice.

I sighed and lifted of the cloak hiding my face, ready for the look of disgust on her face.

She looked shocked, my dark complexion and the black markings soliciting a gasp from her.

But what she did next surprised me, a look pity covered her face.

"You're that boy, the foreigner",  she stated, her voice tinged with sadness.

She bent down an tussled my black curly hair," what's your name, my brave hero?" She asked.

"Have none, " I replied sheepishly, still recovering from the unexpected gesture.

The look on her face grew even sadder, " what do you want to be called then? " she asked.

"I have no need for a name",  I replied in a flat tone, I really didn't considering no one had really talked to me before.

Her eyes now shone with determination, she did the knighting gesture on me, "well then I dub thee, shadow",  she said, a small smile on her face.

I giggled, taken back by her playful demeanor.

"Here," she tossed me a knife from the weapon sack," to stay safe until I return".

"Return? " I asked puzzled.

"Well I can't very well let my saviour go un rewarded, can I", she replied.

And with that she through the weapon sack onto the roof, "I'll be back by midnight, stay safe",  seriousness coated her voice.

She jumped up onto the roof, kicking against the wall, and vanished.

I just stood there gaping, half awe struck and half happy. I'd finally made a friend.