The next morning, I woke up and saw Leela walking around, her energy now back in her once shaking legs. I smiled and pet her head and she purred against my hand. She got up onto my shoulder and I walked around to get ready for work. Since Leela was a dragon, her healing abilities were better than others, so I wasn't as nervous as I was the night before to leave her alone at home. She went back to her small playground area and I finished with making breakfast.
I left food out for Leela and made sure she was alright one more time before leaving to meet Grandma Sufia and Grandpa Ulaan. Together we went with a few others who had their houses overturned by the mages as well and submitted a complaint to the police. There was a greater chance that the Police might dismiss our concerns, but it was worth a shot in order to keep our privacy.
I waved goodbye to the people in the station and headed off to work. I took my usual route and spotted a few buses and quickly hopped onto them. Surprisingly I made it to Karandish pretty early. I walked around leisurely for a bit and checked out a small plaza. I made a mental note to come here after work to buy new shoes and a new cloak.
"Paper! Paper of the day! Paper!" a newsboy ran around carrying a few rolls of newspaper.
Many people didn't really use newspapers anymore since better modems were taking their place. Many of the rich people carried a magical glass rock called a Switch. It was pretty easy and efficient to use. All news stories, daily reminders, notes, catalogs, and personal information were easily stored into that rock.
With one's own personalized touch, one can tap into their Switch at any time and a hologram will appear into the air in front of them. Smooth navigation with just the flick of a finger. The Crown Prince was a good businessman to invest in these products. It's a major trend amongst many nobles and there was always competition on who got the latest version. I have noticed how the Crown Prince is planning on including bonus features, and I am a bit curious to see how the new model will look like.
I looked at the boy trying to call for their attention. Some people took a roll of paper, but it was those who were commoner folk like me. I paid the young boy some coins, and he gave me a roll. I sat down on the side of the street in the alleyway and read the paper. I got a few cookies out and munched on them while I was at it.
I flipped through the pages. It was filled with boring engagement parties, new fashion trends, deaths, births, politics, and whatnot. I breezed through the pages as I tried to find something that would catch my attention. At the corner of the paper, there was a small box, I think it was an advertisement of some sort.
I was going to flip the page when I noticed a familiar symbol. Large broccoli was held in a man's hand. The logo was so strangely familiar.
"Ababeel's Market?" I talked through the food in my mouth.
"So strange, right?"
"Yeah, it is. This symbol...It was on that thing's head…"
"Ewww...who would want to paint broccoli on their head."
"I know right, so weird."
"Talking with your mouth open is weird too."
"What you say you-"
I dropped the paper I was holding in my hand.
"AGGGGGGHHH!"
I screamed and fell to my side. I didn't even notice that there was someone talking to me. The person had their face covered by a hoodie. Like me.
"Doppelganger?"
I asked stupidly and the person shook their head.
"You are really weird, alleycat."
The person chuckled as they picked up the paper from the ground. I brushed some dust off my clothes and backed away a bit.
"Who are you?"
"Why does that matter?"
I didn't know what to say. It didn't matter but it was still suspicious.
"Then, bye."
I tried to walk past him. He stood in front of me and blocked off my path. Why does this keep happening to me?
"Um, hello...can you move?" I tried to move past him and he stood there.
"Hello to you too."
He replied back sarcastically. I rolled my eyes and tried shoving my way past him.
"Oh...feisty," I heard a smile in his voice and I paused.
"Do you have some business with me, boy?"
"If I do, will you stay?"
"Depends. If you pay me for every minute of my time you waste."
"Damn… But, I can give you something better."
I jumped back as he swung at me.
"I was just going to give you a hug, alleycat."
"Don't call me that."
He walked towards me slowly. I moved back but I was at a dead-end. There was a wall behind me and we already came too far into the alleyway. Even if I scream, it would fade in the noise coming from the buzzing streets.
"Little boy, you better back off now."
He was not little but he was definitely not big. He looked like he had a lean body, that probably gave him an advantage in speed. He was at most an arm taller than me. I was not short, just a little over average so I tried to see what other advantages I had over him. I looked at his clothes and noticed his cloak. I didn't realize before, but it was a fine cloak. He was definitely not from the Imperial Mages but...was he a fugitive? Or maybe a noble's son?
I shook my head. It didn't matter. I just needed to escape out of this damn place. I looked at the two walls next to me. I could make a run for it by jumping one wall to the next and over his head. I didn't want to break out into a fight with him in this cramped alleyway, too many vulnerabilities can be exposed if I am not careful.
"I can hear your gears turning in your head from all the way over here. Stop thinking so much and come here."
"You sound really creepy when you say that type of shit, you know?"
He crossed his arms over his chest and stopped. I stopped as well. He stood in the middle of the alleyway. His walking gait made you think he was carefree, but he was probably capable of causing a lot of damage.
"Stop frowning little girl, you're gonna have deep-set wrinkles in your face if you do that."
"I'm not," I lied.
How the hell is he so perceptive? I pulled my hood down over my face even more.
"I don't have time to chat with you. I have to get to work."
"What time?"
"Now."
"Skip."
"Then pay me. In monetary value. Gold will be much appreciated."
"You're really stubborn, you know that?"
"I get that a lot."
For a second he looked away, and I decided to make my move then. From the small distance I had, I gained momentum from running and quickly jumped onto the side of the wall. I kicked off on the wall the second I jumped and made it to the other wall. In a matter of seconds, I hopped over his head and sprinted away from him.
"Nuh-uh, not so fast," I heard his voice from behind me and I ignored it.
Just as I was about to exit, I felt strong hands wrap around my waist pull me back into the dark. I gasped. I didn't hear his footsteps. Did he teleport? He pulled me against him and held my mouth with the other. I tried to bite his hand.
"Shhh!"
He whispered against my ear frantically. I tried to kick him in the groin but he locked one of my legs with the other. I moved fervently, trying to wear him down a bit. I managed to peel his arm off but he quickly flipped us around and I was squished against the wall. In the tight space, he twisted my arm behind my back and I let it go limp. He might break my arm if I am not careful. I tried pushing him back but he was surprisingly really strong.
"I'll upgrade your nickname."
"What?"
"From an alleycat to a monkey."
"You-!"
I shoved him back against the wall and turned around just as fast. I put my arm against his throat and twisted his arm. If he moved, his hands would snap, considering the position I put him in.
"Stop wasting my time, you dick."
"Ouuu… Monkey to Gorilla."
He smirked and I rolled my eyes. The lower portion of his face was revealed. I noticed that there were some markings on his neck leading down under his shirt. He whistled and I snapped my eyes up.
"Naughty gorilla, pfft!"
He laughed and his body shook. My vein popped in frustration. This annoying mystery dude!