Asher hurried along the cobbled street clinging desperately to the small faded brown package in him arms. A sound broke the silent harmony of the deserted street.
Asher jerked his head around, terror rising to his throat. Thirty metres down the street a pair of jet eyes met his.
That was it, his fears confirmed. Someone was hunting him. That made him the prey.
You can't escape from the hunter if you're the prey.
The jet eyes stared at him, keeping perfectly still. The silence was unsettling, pressing in on the sides of Asher's head. How he wished he could be somewhere else, maybe back in his home with a warm fire and a hot drink. Asher heard footfalls before he realized he was running. The harsh sound of feet hitting the ground amplified by the muted sound of the empty street. Behind him the sound of swords being drawn like claws sharpening for the kill. Asher struggled to keep hold of the package, his sweaty hands fumbling on the brown package paper. He could feel the hunter giving chase, gaining ground in the space between them.
An alleyway opened up off the street. Beckoning to him with words of a safe haven. Asher tore into it, slowing as the darkness glided towards him mixing with his own fear. The black shadows grabbed at him and pulled him deeper until there was no light to see by.
Asher stuck out his hands to feel by, they bumped against the end of the alleyway, the end of the road.
"no where left to run now"
Asher gave a tired sigh and turned towards the voice. It was so dark that all he could see was two eyes, and a silhouetted figure against the dull light from the street, the rest of the body hidden in the shadows.
"wh-what do you want with me?"
The eyes shifted slightly. A faint stream of light from the street caught on something reflective. Asher stiffened as he saw claws protruding from the darkness. The eyes shifted again. Not claws. Swords.
"Don't take it personally, some guy paid enough to hire my services and he wants that package"
Asher slipped his hand into his shirt feeling for his dagger.
"why don't I just give you the package and you leave me alive?"
The beast-like eyes glinted with humor
"I can't do that, theres a price on your head as well. If you were innocent it would be a different matter, but I have to make a living somehow"
Asher gripped the handle of the dagger "whats your name? I would at least like to know the name of the man who killed me"
A snort answered him "your'e not in any position to make requests, but my name is Roronoa Zoro"
The eyes narrowed momentarily then disappeared.
Suddenly Zoro was on top of him. Claws outstretched demanding blood. Asher jumped out the way to try and avoid the attack and pushed his dagger into the darkness hoping to deflect any swords coming towards him.
Out of the darkness a sword came down upon him. Asher flung his arm out barely managing to bring his dagger up to block the attack. The impact of the strike jarred his arm, the strength of the blow was incredible it was like the man had a deadly beast inside him.
Asher was losing ground rapidly and was soon being pressed against the alleyway wall, the package lay abandoned on the ground. There was no room to block each hit properly. Asher let his dagger lower for a second to catch his breath. A second to many. Pain blossomed in the left side of Asher's chest. He gave a cry and fell, head smashing against the cold stone.
Zoro stood above him sword dripping.
The cold point of his blade lay on his chest.
Death whispered to him and pulled him under a blanket of cold.
Zoro smirked as he left the alleyway. Tonight he would have a proper meal with meat and beer. His stomach grumbled at the thought of proper food. Maybe he would have some money left over for a new pair of swords.
The small brown package tucked under his arm rattled slightly.