The night was calm. The moon shone brightly in the dark sky, chasing all night clouds away, and casting long, dark shadows across the street and into the alleyways. Streetlights dimly glowed with their soft yellow light. Most of all, it was quiet.
...
A young man spilled into the street and onto the sidewalk from one of the side streets that branched onto it. He dashed over the pavement, his quick footsteps echoing across the empty street. Messy black hair blew into his almond eyes and sweat dripped down the side of his face. He hugged a small laptop to his chest with his arms and clutched a small notebook in his hands.
Thud.
He heard the small noise at the end of the street and his eyes widened. He pushed himself to run faster, his chest heaving from the effort of his sprint. He rounded the corner and his laptop flew out of his arms and onto the pavement, breaking into plastic pieces, but he kept running. Adrenaline pushed him forward faster, and also shoved any thoughts of the laptop far into the crevices of his mind. It wasn't important. The only thing that was important was the notebook. He had to get out of there. The sound of twin footsteps echoed in the air, he was sure he could hear the other approaching, getting ever closer.
I gotta find an alley, side street, crossway, anything! I gotta get out of here and somewhere fast! It doesn't matter, I just gotta get the notebook to someone!
Wham! He rammed right into a trash can and went flying to the ground, bringing the trashcan with him. It hit the cement with a metallic clang and all futile hopes of his pursuer not knowing his location flew out the window.
"What the hell-" He heard the faint voice from around the corner.
He sucked in a quick breath of air and propelled himself off the pavement and into an immediate running start. His eyes scanned over the entire dark street, looking for any turn, alley or alternate path, but there was only the one street going forward, lined with empty buildings.
"Hey! Come back here you little bastard~!" A soft voice playfully called from only a few steps behind him.
Shit! He caught up! He dared not look back, he could not afford to slow at all. He just ran faster, with only one thought. To get the info in that notebook somewhere safe! Suddenly something popped up in his peripheral vision. An opening in the buildings! That meant an alley way! And a way out! He quickly turned and dashed with all his might into the opening and-
It was a dead end.
"Looks like I caught you."
The youth spun around.
"Y-you..." He whispered. He could feel a chill run down his spine as he looked at the figure standing at the front of the alley way, all his figures masked by the cloak of night.
"You run fast." the shadowy figure said darkly, taking a menacing step forward. The young man took another step back, clutching his notebook closer to his chest.
"Now," the man took another step closer. "Give. Me. The notebook."
He could feel his heart pounding in his chest as he whispered something inaudible.
"Hmm?" the other stepped even closer.
"I s-said," the young man stopped and swallowed. "no."
"What did you say? I don't think I heard you right."
"I said NO!" he shouted talking a brave step forward.
The other man chuckled darkly.
"Hmm. That's what I thought." He suddenly stepped forward and grabbed the youths shirt collar and shoved him down to the ground. He slammed his foot down on his chest and all the young man's breath escaped him in one wheeze.
"A pity. If you had just given it over, I wouldn't of had to do this."
"Y-you bastard," he hissed. "W-who the hell are you?"
The man reached into the inside of his coat and pulled out a gleaming, silver gun. He aimed it right at the dark haired boy's forehead. His slanted brown eyes widened in fear.
"My name? Lovino Vargas."
The man's face contorted into a sinister grin, his teeth glinting in the moonlight.
"But you can call me Lovi."