You learn a bit about what the reader is like, and get in trouble.
You turned down a familiar alley keeping your head low and a scowl on your face. The scowl was a diversionary tactic. Look like you'll bite someone's head off soon as look at them and they tend give you a wide berth. You were actually in a pretty good mood.
Some jack-off was harassing a woman in the bar. One of those ritzy high quality bars frequented by rich bastards who think they own the world. You intervened just as he was getting handsy by pulling her away and pretending to be her boyfriend. The look of relief she gave you made it worth getting involved already, but of course you didn't leave it at that. Scum like him made the perfect targets. You set you hand on her waist gently and held her to your side. A possessive stance, but not sexual. You didn't want to make her feel worse. you kept your tone jovial but glared at the man whenever the woman wasn't looking. Lies poured out of your mouth with a practiced ease. Making dick weed more and more uncomfortable, and scared. By the end you had managed to convince him to empty his wallet, stammer out apologies, and run for the doors. He had assumed you to be high ranking in the mafia, though you didn't say so yourself. Just spoke with a confidence and power your appearance didn't match up to. The moment he was out of site you let the woman go and payed for her drinks. She thanked you for getting rid of him and you made out with a nice wad of cash. An excellent way to end the night, if you do say so yourself.
Still, you were ready to be home. You couldn't wait to get out of this black blazer and and blue jeans, and into some comfy sweats. Not to mention removing the binder on your chest. It did an excellent job disguising your gender but after a few hours it gets stuffy.
Your crummy apartment was in the worst part of town. Police here all but gave up on keeping the peace in this area. The mafia had total control here. You always stayed far away from their type. Get involved with them one way or another you'll wind up dead.
That is you did stay away from them...until you stupidly intervened during one of their collections for 'protection money' last week. Stupid phrase if you ever heard one. It was how they kept the businesses in these parts in check. If you didn't pay, you suddenly find your establishment getting targeted by 'random criminals' a lot more.
You were good friends with the owner and bartender of one of the nicer bars in town. It was a cozy establishment the dark wood of the bar and and tables and dim lighting made it a relaxing space. Unfortunately, his business was suffering lately due to being on the fringes of a turf war between rival gangs.
That day you were enjoying a few drinks and his pleasant company after a rough day when the shit bags came to collect . He didn't have enough to cover it and things escalated quickly. When they started beating on him you swiftly intervened. Breaking your glass over a thugs head.
Needless to say, they were pissed. Bartender all but forgotten for the moment they went for you. You knew you didn't stand a chance. You knew your way around a bar fight but the odds were not in your favor. The burly men against you? Yea not happening. So you did the logical thing...and ran like a bat out of hell. Somehow you managed to lose them but now you had a target painted on your back. You figured you'd stay low and they'd forget your face eventually. At least that was the plan. You were running low on cash and rent was an ever present threat. That's what took you out of your house today, and probably what saved your life.
When you turned out of the last alley near your apartment you heard a door smash open and saw a man thrown to the floor. You quickly ducked back in the alley and peeked around the corner to see what was happening.
"You little shit! The asshole ain't here!" Yelled a deep voice.
The guy who was thrown stood up quickly and you paled. It was one of your few friends, Daniel.
"I swear they live here!" He cried "They'll be back you just have to wait awhile!"
"I am not a patient man," the mobster growled and grabbed Daniel by the shoulders kneeing him in the solar plexus.
Daniel collapsed to the ground once more and wheezed. The mobster and his 2 cronies laughed at his pain. Daniel looked up and a spark of defiance shone in his eyes. "You said you'd pay if I lead you to them! That's exactly what I did. They'll be coming back any minute! I want my money."
Your original concern for your friend grew to hatred as you watched the confrontation. You were putting the pieces together slowly but hoped the ugly picture you were painting was wrong. His last statement confirmed your fears though. That rat BASTARD sold you out! If he were threatened to lead them here maybe you'd understand. Maybe you could have found it in your heart to forgive him some day, but no. He betrayed your trust. He delivered your death sentence right to your door.
You were trembling in your rage. You wanted nothing more than to strangle the man you once called friend. Instead, you turned away from the scene to try and silently sneak away. It was not to be though. A mangy cat chose that moment to jump out of a dumpster and bang into the metal cans. You froze in disbelief. That DAMNED CAT! You hoped beyond hope that they would dismiss the ruckus and stay at the porch to wait for you. Of course you were never that lucky.
"Guess the little traitor was right all along!" The mobsters voice rang out. You didn't wait. The moment he started talking you tore down the alley. Not a moment later you heard the pounding of feet chasing you.
Your heart was pounding and adrenaline was coursing through your veins. You turned when you could trying to loose them in the maze of back streets and alleys. Sometimes breaking into main streets to get lost in the crowd before ducking into another alley. The long alley was badly lit with a few street lamps and lights bleeding from some windows. The men sounded farther away. While they had strength the didn't hold a candle to your speed. You risked a glance back and saw a gleam of silver in one of the cronies hands.
Fear gave you an extra boost and you turned swiftly down narrow alley, but you were a moment to late. The gun shot rang out followed almost instantly by a searing pain in your side. You stumbled and careened into a wall roughly landing on the pavement. You heard the brutal snap as your arm hit the ground and fresh agony shot through your body.
Rather than give into the pain you used your good arm to shove yourself upright and keep running. You pulled your broken arm into your stomach keeping it from dangling painfully and suffering even more damage.
They were even closer and you saw the exit to this alley ahead and the fringe of the woods beyond. You shot out and nearly trampled a kid landing heavily on your knees. For a moment it seemed like time slowed. You looked at the kid in their worn purple and pink stripped sweater. They took in your injuries the blood staining your clothes scarlet and you could see the fear in their eyes. The moment ended when the shouts of the gang members reminded you of your peril and the kid squeaked in fear. They turned and ran back the way they came. You pulled yourself off the ground once more and dashed into the woods. Heading up the mountain. You heard the men scramble to a halt at the edge and shouts of. "Shes dead anyway!" "I'm not going up that cursed mountain"
The voices faded as you gained distance and you nearly sobbed in relief. You kept moving though,and good thing you did. After a few muted shouts the chase picked up once more. The men crashing through the brush. You turned your head but couldn't see them in the dark woods. That was good that meant they couldn't see you either. Taking up your earlier tactic of zigzagging through the city you kept out of sight and gained more distance. Unfortunately, you never saw the hole until you were falling into the dark.
With one last blood curdling scream you hit the bottom hard and passed out from the pain.