I looked at the area around me. There were many food and clothes stalls that were opening. People started to line up for breakfast and crowded the thin streets. As much as I hated crowds I walked right into the crowd. I looked in the reflection of the mirror and the two men behind me looked flustered behind me. Let's see how long you can keep up suckers. I laugh under my breath and walk in the crowd of hungry and cranky elderly people. They shove at me and I get jostled by the crowd, mixing in with the many people.
I notice an alleyway with a few garbage bags and I smile as I spot the exit at the back of the alleyway. I have used this path sometimes in hopes of stealing a ride to Karandish. At first, it was really useful, but sometimes the wait for a vehicle to depart took a long time, and many people didn't leave the city so early in the morning.
I notice behind me how the crowd clears for the two mages to pass through. I start to sprint as soon as I'm in the dark alley. Shards of broken glass lay along the path of the dark alleyway and I wince as I feel a sharp piece attach itself to the sole of my shoe. It would be bad if I left any traces of my blood anywhere. As much as I wanted to pull it out, I had to endure and make it to the end. I saw the broken fence and jumped onto a wall of a building before gripping the top of the fence, and quickly pushed myself over. I winced at the sharp pain the shard of glass shot up my leg and cursed silently.
I need to bury it somewhere. I heard some light footsteps in the alleyway and I continued to run. Behind the fence were trucks and broken vans. Most of them were unoccupied but I quickly ran as I felt the few billows of sand drifting in from the East. I am close to the exit of Palawan.
I scanned the area and saw a few women entering an open seated van.
A young boy waved money in the air as he yelled, "KARANDISH! KARANDISH! COME, COME ABOARD TO KARANDISH!"
Bingo. I watched as men and women piled onto the back of the truck-like-bus. Only a thin tarp was thrown overhead the passengers to shield them from the glaring sunlight. The boy saw that no one was climbing aboard and headed to the front seat. Another young teen was in the driver's seat as he puffed on a cigarette. His arm dangled from the window as he glanced at the back, through the mirror for a headcount.
I crept closer to the van. They weren't starting yet. They were going to count the money and then start the ride. I found a pile of sand nearby and quickly limped over. The alleyway bought me some time because many other paths branched out from that same alley. It would take a bit longer for the mages to catch me without the use of magic. If they do, then I have to hurry the hell up.
I pull out the shard of glass from the bottom of my shoe. The soles on my shoes were worn so thin, that they easily ripped from a shard of glass. I needed to buy new shoes, or at least find decent shoes from a ditch somewhere. I glanced towards the truck. I wipe the blood off the glass on my cloak and quickly dig a hole before throwing the glass in. With this, I dust off my hands and walk towards the van.
One of the two mirrors were broken, and there were three women and two men seated at the back. The maximum capacity of the truck would usually be ten people. I saw a few more women heading towards the truck and blended in with them. A man looked at me suspiciously and I brought out a few bills of money, not noticing the way he was looking at me.
Of course, I was going to pay, maybe a little less than the real amount, but I was still going to pay. I try to remain calm as I stay seated by the entrance of the van. Many people are seated side by side. Two benches ran across and there was not much legroom for the passengers. The two boys at the front glanced at the back and they hit the side of their truck.
It's custom to be checked in a small security post at the front of the vehicle parking area, but it is easy to get by unnoticed. I saw the mages at the corner of my eyes and my palm started to sweat. They didn't come out from the alley but through the security post. Shit, they can't spot me now.
The two men scan the area. At this time, more people are in their vehicles, so it would take a few moments to notice where I was at. I sweat as I see the position I am in. They would have a clear view of me since I am seated near the entryway, and the tarp doesn't even cover our upper bodies. I notice a lady's scarf poking out of her bag.
It was long and shimmery. I glanced at the others in the van. Though I felt guilty, most of the passengers were elderly people, I knew they probably wouldn't be able to tell if I quickly snuck the scarf out of her bag. I pretended to drop a coin on the ground and as I was in a bent position, I, quick as lightning, pulled the silk scarf out of her bag and glanced around me. Naturally, as if nothing happened, I was sitting back up with my cloak around me and the pick scarf around my head and covering my face.
The man in front of me squinted his eyes at me. His wrinkles protruded and he frowned as he tried to understand what happened. Before he could do anything, the boy at the front banged at the side of the van announcing departure.
Okay, buddy let's get going… and not call more attention to ourselves. I whipped my head towards the security check post area, and I saw the two mages glance towards this truck. I smiled as I turned around slowly as if enjoying the view.
Take that slowpoke. The van shuddered to life and was on its way. The thing I liked about young drivers...they went fast. What I didn't like about them...they caught everything. Even a pink girl who appeared out of nowhere. I glanced at their side-view mirror and the boy puffing a cigarette looked at me as he puffed out smoke from his cigarette into the mirror and then smiled.
Yup, I'm screwed.