Chapter 5: Ash, the Smart Ally
After his encounter with the Red Sparrow, Colt couldn't help but feel a little exhilarated. He had barely survived, but somehow, his gadgets and quick thinking had kept him alive. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he dusted off his jacket and straightened his backpack. "Okay, that was too close," he muttered, then grinned. "But I totally nailed that smoke grenade. I mean, seriously—perfect execution!"
As the dust settled and the streets of Midway City returned to normal, Colt took a deep breath. The Red Sparrow might be tough, but Colt wasn't backing down. Not now. Not ever.
He knew he needed to gather more information about the city and, hopefully, find an ally or two to help him on his journey west. There were more dangerous things out there, and Colt couldn't do it all alone.
Walking through the market square, he noticed a small café tucked between two brick buildings. A sign hung above the door, reading, "Ash's Corner Café – Best Coffee in Town!"
"Well, I could use a break and a cup of coffee. And who knows—maybe some new friends," Colt thought, pushing open the door.
The bell above the door jingled as Colt entered. The café was small and cozy, with wooden tables and a few patrons quietly sipping their drinks. Behind the counter stood a young woman, her dark hair pulled back into a neat ponytail. She was focused on grinding coffee beans, humming a tune to herself.
Colt walked up to the counter and smiled. "Hey, is this the place with the 'best coffee in town?'"
The woman looked up, a spark of interest in her eyes. "That's right. You must be new around here. What'll it be?"
"Just a coffee... strong enough to keep me awake after almost being sliced by a staff-wielding lunatic," Colt said with a grin, gesturing toward the door. "Also, I could really use some info about the city. Any chance you know anything about the Red Sparrow?"
The woman paused, her expression shifting slightly. "The Red Sparrow, huh? Dangerous guy. You've already tangled with him?"
Colt nodded. "You could say that. Barely got away with my life. That's why I need a little help. You know, someone who knows their way around this city."
The woman tilted her head, studying him for a moment. After a long pause, she finally spoke. "You're lucky I'm feeling generous today. The name's Ash. And if you want to know more about the Red Sparrow—and how to avoid him—I might just be the person you need."
"Wait, you know about him?" Colt asked, his eyebrows raising. "And you're not afraid?"
Ash smiled, handing him a steaming cup of coffee. "Let's just say I've had my run-ins with trouble before. I'm not afraid of the Red Sparrow. In fact, I've got a little... history with him."
Colt took the coffee and took a sip. "Ooh, that's the good stuff. You weren't kidding about the coffee." He smiled at her. "So, what's the deal with you and the Red Sparrow?"
Ash leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "The Red Sparrow isn't just some random villain causing chaos. He's part of something bigger. Something much, much bigger. And if you're really serious about heading west, you'll need to know more than just how to fight him off."
Colt's interest piqued. "Wait, you know something about the west? Is there some kind of hidden path or danger I don't know about?"
Ash gave a small chuckle, the first hint of amusement Colt had seen from her. "I know more than you think. But let's just say... the Red Sparrow's little games are part of a larger scheme. He's working with a group that controls the entire trade routes. And if you're planning on going west, you're going to need to outsmart them first."
"Control the trade routes?" Colt repeated, his mind racing. "Wait, how does a crazy guy with a staff control anything?"
Ash sighed and pulled a map from under the counter, spreading it out for Colt to see. "It's not just the Red Sparrow. He's just a tool. A puppet. There are people behind the scenes—people who want to control the entire continent. They'll stop at nothing to make sure no one gets through to the west."
Colt's eyes widened. "That's huge. And here I thought it was just a jungle and a bunch of bad guys."
Ash gave a sly smile. "Oh, it's much more than that. But I've been working on a way to get past all of them, and I think... you might be just the person I need to help me finish what I started."
Colt raised an eyebrow. "Wait, you want me to help you take down a bunch of criminals?"
Ash nodded. "Exactly. We make a good team. You've got the brains, the gadgets, and the bravery. I've got the information and the strategy. Together, we might just be able to pull this off."
Colt paused, taking it all in. He hadn't expected to find a smart, capable ally in a small café in Midway City, but Ash seemed like someone who could hold her own. Plus, her offer made sense. If they teamed up, they could beat the odds.
"Alright, Ash," Colt said with a grin. "You've got a deal. But I'm warning you—I'm not always the most... cooperative team player. I work alone most of the time."
Ash smiled, her eyes twinkling. "I think we can work something out. Just try to keep up, Colt. This is going to be one wild ride."
With a new ally by his side, Colt felt a surge of excitement. The road to the west just got a whole lot more interesting.