Beyond Good and Evil

Chapter 12: Behind the Exterior

The alleyway where Elsa had texted Alicia to meet her was dark and cold. If not for Andreas' presence hanging thick in the air beside her, she would have turned and walked away.

Andreas stuck close to her as she walked along the damp, grime-covered concrete, scoping out the walls and shadows for any sign of her best friend. The wind had turned bitter cold, biting at the exposed bits of skin not covered by her hoody and dress.

"Are you sure this is such a good idea?" He whispered. "What if these guys are with her?"

Alicia dismissed his concern, attempting to persuade herself, as well as him, that everything would play out just fine. "That's why I brought you. If we do happen to run into trouble, they'll see you and run."

"I don't know if I'm that scary," he said, digging his hands into the pockets of his trench coat, hurrying up his pace beside her. "Maybe they'll ease up if they see that I'm older than them."

Five figures emerged from the shadows, forming a semi-circle around the two with cat-like sleekness. Alicia recognised Dandy's strong jaw right away, caught in the above white illumination of the street lights. In his arms, he tenaciously gripped a very frightened Elsa, who bared clenched teeth and attempted many times to break away.

Dandy shoved her to the ground in front of Alicia, his dark eyes flashing like hazard signs. "Finally, she comes to me!"

The laughter of three other men joined in. Sean flanked Dandy's left, his copper hair standing in tufts, his hard-featured face offering no mercy. He looked completely different to the last time Alicia had seen him. He had gone from a typical school boy to a suspected serial killer, all in the course of a few days.

"We're not here to fight," Andreas spoke, surprising not only Alicia, but the boys too. "Just tell me why you so desperately need Alicia, and we'll be off."

He kneeled down then beside Elsa's crumpled figure, pulling her into strong arms and, eventually after six tries, to her feet. She was very weak and bruised, from what Alicia could make out under the street lights.

Anger flared like a snapped wire through her veins. Before she could stop herself, she flung her weight against Dandy, knocking him off his feet. He grunted as he fell to the dirty ground, rolling over on top of her, pinning her wrists by either side of her head. The laughter of Sean and his other three delinquents echoed off the alleyway walls.

"Where's your boyfriend now?" He sneered, the corners of his mouth flickering up into an animalistic, vicious smile.

Alicia kicked out at his ankle, but he never budged. The guy had a solid build, and was crushing her into the concrete. Desperately trying to think of something - anything - she brought her knee up into his groin.

Dandy yelled, falling off her as if he'd been shot. She scrambled to her feet and backed away, right into another solid form.

She turned on her heel and punched out -

Only to have her wrist caught between thick, calloused fingers.

"I know you hate me, but you don't have to hit me," Robert remarked, releasing her wrist gently. "I'm here to save your life, after all."

He pushed past her with ease, standing his ground directly in front of her. Alicia could practically feel the anger and exasperation radiating off his back. He balled his hands into fists, his dark eyes resting on Dandy in front of him.

Alicia cast Andreas a glance. He shrugged, mouthing: "I didn't tell him."

"You better learn that it's rude to touch what isn't yours," Robert said in a cool, crisp voice like frost covered leaves. "This beautiful young lady here is mine, not yours."