Stacey stared up at the clear night sky and the unfamiliar stars. The night breeze was cold and crisp, making her shiver in her thin dress. She coughed, wishing for a jacket. The empty doorway behind her was dark and yawning. The street in front was filled with the reflection of coloured lights.
The choice of where to go was a no brainer. She kicked off her annoying high heeled shoes and threw them back into the dark corridor behind her. There were twin thumps and the sound of angry men cursing. Then she stepped out into the night to run free with the breeze.
"Ow. Run faster, you idiot. She's getting away. If she gets away, we won't get paid."
"Shut up. You're the one slowing us down. Didn't the employer say she's just a stupid girl who had lost her wits? How could you not catch her?"
"She bit me, ok? It hurts and it's still bleeding. And you're one to talk. She was right in front of you. Why didn't you grab her?"
"She threw a chair at my head. I had to dodge."
Two disheveled men wearing what might have passed for a security uniform while it was neat emerged from the dark doorway. They looked at both sides of the alley and then ran toward the coloured lights as well.
Moments later, Ning and his team rushed out the door.
"She passed through here. Her shoes are here and there are drops of blood on the ground," Chai reported.
"Spread out and stay in touch," Ning ordered. "Zuo, have you finished setting up your computer to help us track and search?"
"Yes. I'm on it. My lady didn't bring her phone, so we can't track her, but from the map, you're going to need to split into two teams to search either side of the street. From what I can tell through the security cameras I've snuck into, it's a busy street. There's a lot of foot traffic."
"Chai, you're leading the other half of the team."
"Got it."
~~~
Stacey stumbled in her dirty and broken stockings. She was glad that she had bandages stuck to her feet to protect them somewhat but there had been a broken glass bottle she hadn't seen and now her foot was bleeding badly. She really wanted somewhere to sit down. She couldn't run anymore. Walking hurt.
The colourful street was filled with nightlife. The cars could only drive slowly through the area due to the large amount of people carousing, milling and crossing the street without care for the vehicles on the road. Several beastmen lifted their heads to sniff the air when Stacey limped past them.
Pausing beside a bright shop door, Stacey held onto the wall and lifted a foot to try pick out dirt and glass that might still be stuck in her wound. Her chest pounded with the sense of danger, telling her that she couldn't stop here and she needed to keep moving.
A huge frame filled the doorway and looked down at her. From the size and smell, Stacey guessed it was a beastman. And if not, it was a huge man or woman that looked like they could twist her head off or throw her out with one arm. Her heart skipped a beat in panic.
"Sorry," Stacey mumbled, thinking perhaps she was blocking the way for customers or something. She limped away but a huge hand caught her by the arm, stopping her from going anywhere.
"Kid, what happened to your shoes?" the voice was low and gravelly. It could belong to a man or a woman.
"Shoes?" Stacey looked down at her tattered stockings and foot that was dripping blood. "I threw them at some idiots. The heels were too high to run in."
"Fair enough," the shopkeeper paused. "Come in. I'll help you get your foot bandaged. That cut doesn't look good."
"I think there's something still in it," Stacey frowned, glancing at the road behind her warily, "but no thanks. I have to go."
"You won't get far in this condition," the huge figure shook their head. "Besides, you'll be safe in here. No one will want to mess with anyone in a martial arts training hall."
"Huh?"
Stacey tried to peer up at the shop sign to confirm but she was at the wrong angle. She tried to look into the shop window to look inside but the person's wide girth blocked her view.
"Are you alright?"
A shadowy face leaned down to examine her face, while Stacey tried to make out their features in the dark. Wasn't the shop brightly lit? How come everything was suddenly so dark?
"Hey, kid. Kid."
A hand was waving in front of her face and an arm was around her waist, stopping her from falling.
"What?" Stacey shook her head, feeling her legs tremble. What was going on again? Where was she?