Run The City

Chapter 4

Oh no. Oh God. I definitely don't need to buy anything anymore anymore. Not if I want to live. I back up slowly.

"Oh no. I don't take sides. I don't support uprisings, the government knows best anyway, and besides, of course I would never-" I feel myself rambling out of fear. The number one rule of life here is to not tick off a GMSB, and I have just done exactly that. But not ticked. His tone of voice is calm and even, and even though he is walking toward me, he does so casually. Anyone looking in the situation from the outside would think we were having a friendly conversation. But it's the glint in his eye that makes me step back. He cuts me off.

" Oh I know a traitor when I see one."

His anger is slightly betrayed by the growing edge in his voice, his calm demeanor crumbling.

"Headed toward the East market, eh? For illegal goods? That's the only reason you would wear clothes like that, and try so hard not to be noticed."

He smirks. " Well that worked out for you well now didn't it?"

He continues to walk towards me as I back up. We are on the left side of the street, and I notice with growing dread that I am backing into the alley from which I came from. I need to get back to the Main Street, which, despite the late hour, is full of people buying and selling goods. If I could get out there, there would be too many witnesses for this man to try anything.

I then remember the knife in a sheath around my waist, which is covered by a long, black coat to both keep me warm and conceal the weapon. I may not be lucky enough to have a gun, but I at least have this. It has a blade about seven inches long with a dull black handle. I rip it out of its sheath and wave around in a manner in which I hope is threatening, but almost definitely isn't.

The man laughs, a chilling sound.

"Oh, don't try that, sweetheart. It won't get you anywhere."

The man pulls out a shotgun and aims it at me, his finger wrapping around the trigger. I freeze instantly, my heart threatening to leap out of my ribcage.

"That knife won't do you any good. I don't want to use this. I'm afraid we need to turn you in. You're coming with us."

Ok, that is not what I expected to hear. If they thought I was a traitor, they would have shot me or snapped my neck immediately. I have seen them do so before many times. Everyone just keeps their head down and ignores it if they know what's best for them. I eye their guns warily.

"Oh come now gentlemen. Is this really necessary?"