The man stepped out of the darkness into the dim, fluorescent lighting of the single street lamp. He wore only a thick, dark cloak over his clothing and carried his staff by his side. He spoke softly, under the hood of his covering, "Come quickly. Keep her close," his accent as thick and rich as the fabric of his cloak.
She followed him with a cloak over herself as well, grasping the child's small hand so tightly she was half afraid she would hurt it.
But she couldn't let go. Not for a second.
The child itself was, in a word, frightened. Her parents had been like this ever since they abruptly left home, hours prior. She held the fabric of her own tiny covering with her free hand, and felt the softness between her fingers. It almost soothed her…but just for a bit.
"Is it working?" the woman asked quietly to the man, eyeing the necklace in his palm.
The man silently cursed under his breath, before answering back, "No, not quite. I just need a few more minutes to send out a signa-. "
He was cut off by the sound of footsteps nearing their location. They came quickly, until the men appeared at the entrance of the alley. The stranger nearest to them stepped forward and without warning pointed the weapon towards the man in the cloak. The man raised his hands up in surrender, stepping in front of the woman and child.
"Listen to me…no good will come from this. Leave now and you will be spar-
The man was cut off once again by the bullet that pierced his body, just between his heart and right shoulder. He immediately slumped to the ground, revealing the now horrorstruck woman and child behind him. Before the stranger could release another bullet, a figure emerged from the shadows, taking the place of the dying, cloaked man. The new stranger's movements came swiftly, his blows even swifter, as the group of offensives fell to the ground in injury. The stranger finished with his last opponent and turned towards the woman and child.
He expected to see an expression of relief from the woman, but only saw a contorted mix of pain and sadness washing over her. He was confused until he saw her clutching her stomach, and looking down he saw the pool of blood growing around her abdomen. Another shot must've been fired during the struggle between himself and the men after the family, and had found its way to the woman.
She fell to her knees, and the stranger rushed to her before she hit the ground, placing his wrapped hands under her head. She was slightly shivering, her lips quivering as she tried to make of words for the stranger. Police sirens could be heard from nearby.
All that was said was, "Do not leave her side. Take care of her." The woman placed the necklace into the stranger's hand and turned her head towards the child, who stared on with shock and silence.
"Do not be afraid, my heart. Stay brave…Alana."
And then, she was gone.