Two hulking figures stood over a form sprawled on the grimy pavement. The streetlight cast flickering shadows, obscuring most of the details, but Emily could see the glint of a knife held by the larger of the two men. There was a second person but she couldn't see him quite well in the darkness and also the larger of the two men was standing in front of him.
A surge of adrenaline coursed through her veins. This wasn't a situation she was prepared for, a realization that arrived a little too late.
But Emily wasn't one to back down from a challenge. Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the alley, the click of her heels on the pavement echoing in the oppressive silence.
The two figures froze, their heads moving towards the sound. The smaller one, his face a mask of nervous energy, clutched his knife tighter. So as it turns out the other guy also has a knife. Well then that makes two against one.
The larger one, his features obscured by a hooded sweatshirt, let out a low growl.
"Just another busybody?" he sneered, the glint of the knife catching the dim light. "Get lost, before you get hurt."
Emily, ever the pragmatist, knew a direct confrontation wouldn't end well. But she needed to buy time, and create a distraction for the victim to escape.
"Actually," she feigned a nonchalant tone, "I was just looking for my cat. Fluffy, the little rascal has a knack for disappearing into the most inconvenient places."
The effect was…unexpected. The smaller mugger, clearly not expecting such a bizarre response, choked back a laugh. The larger one, however, remained unconvinced, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.
"There's no cat," he growled, the knife shifting menacingly.
"Get lost little brat before you get hurt. I won't warn you for the third time" he snapped at her once more.
The situation had turned grave faster than she had expected. She really hoped they drew the line at hitting women because, otherwise she was in big trouble.
It was very stupid of her to think that people who would stab someone for their belongings would draw the line at hitting women. But hey, there was no rule against wishful thinking.
Speaking of thinking, Emily knew she had to act fast or else pretty soon her life was going to be in danger.
Thinking fast, she decided to up the ante.