Of Falling Stars and Distant Hills

Chapter Five

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"Still, he figured, sometimes you've got to do what you've got to do, and then sometimes you've just got to run like hell after it's done."
— Derek Landy
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Tramp was trying not to drown. He floundered and fought with all his might to stay above the current of his fury and the weight of his dread. The stand off in front of him was so far from what he wanted, and the anger with his friends for instigating it was hard to contain. But it was Lady, who stood hidden behind him, that caused him the most distress. If they notice her it's all over. She's going to be targeted like the rest of us.

A rat faced, greasy haired specimen sauntered forward from the opposite group with a gloating smile on his face. "Why are you in such a hurry? Here I thought you downtown shits were supposed to be fearless."

"Get us in a fair fight, we'll show you just how fearless we can be." Russell spat, still supporting Miles with his shoulder. Tramp grimaced at the amount of blood dripping from the side of his head, it was just a knick, but he didn't like how pale Miles looked. Buster hastily shoved his way forward and said: "Alright Ripley, what do ya want? You got us where you want, so spill."

"Don't play dumb with me, Calvetti." Ripley sneered. "We came to stop your skeevy little deal, and put the fear of god into Swanson while we're at it."

"Ha, jokes on you, asshole." Slim said smugly behind Buster. "We already did it, you were too late." Tramp ground his teeth hard. Did Slim not see what kind of spot they were in? Instead of concentrating his frustration at Buster and his friends, he focused on the other five members behind Ripley.

The first two were so similar, with brown eyes and dark coloring, Tramp guessed they were brothers, maybe even twins. They look civil enough.The second was a nondescript boy with dirty blonde hair, but Tramp didn't miss the glint of a blade in his newsboy hat. A small threat but not alarming. He looked at the third member and surveyed the tendrils of a messy scar on his chin. He could be trouble. The fourth wasn't formidable; he was short and thin, but had a poorly concealed pistol by his hip. A wild card most likely, not ideal. And finally, the man on the far right had a hook nose and a rugged five o'clock shadow. He also carried a pistol, but made no show of hiding it. And Tramp knew, from his violent smile and his finger near the trigger that he was the biggest threat. Gotta keep a close eye on that one.

"He's right though." Buster continued. "You got here too late. So what's next, wanna have a shoot out right here? Or you wanna take this somewhere else? It makes no difference to me."

Tramp hissed under his breath. That was not what he wanted to hear. His mind churned madly with ideas of how he could possibly get Lady to safety without notice, however his friends weren't making it easy. Tramp was going to have to seriously reevaluate the company he kept when this was all over.

"Naw, you're gonna come with us and spell out exactly what Lynch's plan was. I'm sure the boss man would love to hear it." Ripley said. 

Russell snorted like he had just heard a joke.Tramp steadied himself for defensive action, widening his arms to cover Lady even further. He was going to stay silent and if the opportunity to run showed itself he was going to take it, and take it fast. But behind his hectic planning there was something Tramp couldn't ignore; a chilly tug of wind at his back. It must be the hole the bullet left from earlier. Maybe if it's big enough...

Buster let out a sound between a laugh and a scoff. "Yeah, we're gonna have to decline. You think we're spineless saps who are new to all this?"

"The way Lynch has you grunts doing things, you'd think so." Ripley replied.