Moment to moment

-9-

I stood motionless at the top of the building.

Once we had arrived in the city we managed to blend in with the ones on the street, it only took us the afternoon to get in the "gossip circle".

All these people were very "close" you could say. Being homeless forced them to shelter with one another, despite the fear of sickness. A hunched lady with a cats grin was the one to tell us who of them was willing to trade or sell, with the right price of course.

Out of the five she pointed out, I was only willing to let Kyle approach one. A young man with crooked fingers and the eyes of someone always watching their back, his hair was long and greasy, but would sway aside to reveal a haunted face.

With some negotiation and charming smiles on my part, we agreed to rendezvous at a street corner at midnight. The man requested Kyle meet him alone, throwing me a horribly disguised look of disgust.

That's why I stood on a three story building, my breath coming out in puffs of white, and my fingers and toes numb with cold. The hard wood of my bow pressed against my back, a gentle reminder. Hopefully it was worth it, he promised rations and thicker clothing for two hunting knives, he demanded them sharpened beforehand.

I perched with practiced stealth, watching a shadowed figure walk towards the dim streetlight, a clear marking of the place to meet.

A second, smaller shape emerged from the opposite side, bundled heavily and seeming to carry a large pack.

They stopped, approximately ten feet apart, each sizing the other. I couldn't hear from this high up but the way the man tilted his head gave off the air of confidence and cockiness.

I wonder why.

Kyle reach out a hand, light glinting off the blades. The man nodded and held out the pack. Before the trade actually happened, Kyle raised his hand, motioning towards the backpack. With an irritated motion, he opened it, allowing Kyle to inspect the inside.

There was a hesitance, I reached my fingers to grip the bow.

But then the exchange. At the exact same moment, they tossed the knives and the pack. I could just hear the clink of the weapons on the freezing ground.

All was well and I finally let a sigh of relief escape me. But too soon.

Before I could blink, the man whipped around, silver shining in the light as it flew towards Kyle. My bow was out before I could think, an arrow already on its way to the man. It bounced off the sidewalk inches from his feet. With one more flicker of motion, he disappeared.

My heart sank when I saw Kyle. His figure splayed on the ground. 

My bow fell to my side, my hold on it loosening. Yet before I even had the mind to go help, a sharp edge came cold against my throat.

"Tried to backstab him, huh, princess?" An oddly feminine voice breathed into my ear.

I kept my mouth shut, cause if I moved even the slightest, the blade would cut open my throat.

"Well that won't help your friend now." I felt a chin rest against my shoulder,"Let's watch shall we?"

Muttering a low hiss in replacement for words, they merely laughed,"Not used to being helpless?"

"Sick bastard." I stuttered, those few words sent blood trickling down my neck.

"Hm, I don't like the way you talk to me, princess."

The knife moved just a centimeter away from my throat, an invitation to talk but still too helpless to move.

"What do you want?" I growl.