No decent folk walked the streets of the Slums. Certainly not at that hour, nor with weapons bared. Yet young Elros strode through the alley, cleaning his blade as he went. This job had been necessary to eat, to continue his mission in the City. It hadn't proved fatal, and no job would if he had his say. Still, beating a man senseless had challenged him. He had moved too slowly and had needed to engage in this work to survive. But when would it all-
And then the man in rags threw his mud-covered arms around him, tackling him to the ground and shaking him. The young man scrambled, his blade had fallen far away. His cryostim smashed to bits under him, as the muddied beggar pummeled his face. With skin rashed and inflated, his frenzy showing what pain he was in.
"HELP! IT NEEDS TO STOP!"
Elros did not call for help. But the beggar did, as he desperately tore at Elros. Finally, the youth tore the beggar off him and began to flee, to run. He did not fight. He left his weapon and his pride in the alley, only wishing to get away from the filth. To get away from the place he thought he could thrive within. He had been a fool.
Later that evening, as the harsh prickling sensation crawled over his skin, as his hands began to scratch at his face without any thought, he knew his hubris had cost him.
And then the man in rags threw his mud-covered arms around him, tackling him to the ground and shaking him. The young man scrambled, his blade had fallen far away. His cryostim smashed to bits under him, as the muddied beggar pummeled his face. With skin rashed and inflated, his frenzy showing what pain he was in.
"HELP! IT NEEDS TO STOP!"
Elros did not call for help. But the beggar did, as he desperately tore at Elros. Finally, the youth tore the beggar off him and began to flee, to run. He did not fight. He left his weapon and his pride in the alley, only wishing to get away from the filth. To get away from the place he thought he could thrive within. He had been a fool.
Later that evening, as the harsh prickling sensation crawled over his skin, as his hands began to scratch at his face without any thought, he knew his hubris had cost him.
