I hated working late. Its not that I was afraid. I could kick some thugs butt no problem. Just...it felt so empty. I disliked the big city. Back in our little village everyone knew each other. Maybe not everyone was friend with each other, but at least everyone recognized each other. It had this warm atmosphere about it. Here? Here it was so lonely. I let a soft sigh.

I heard some rustling come from one of the side alleys. I stoped and peered into the darkness. I tilted my head to the side. Was it a homeless guy. Or stray animal? I clenched my teeth. Whatever it was, it wasn't going to be good. I pushed myself forward. Stupid manager.

He asked me if I could wait and help him with something. Telling me he would later ride me home. All it boiled down to was him trying to get into my pants. Saying how that job depended on him giving me a good evaluation. Hope he evaluated that bucket of ice down his pants well enough.

I let out a deep sigh at that. It left me with no ride home, since the last bus would leave fifteen minutes prior to me approaching the bus stop. And most likely with me having to look for a new weekend job.

It felt so lonely. Dad was working away, and ever since Yang disappeared I was left all alone. And then this new city. Back home I had friends at least. Here? Here I had nothing.

Then I heard it. Footsteps. Loud clanking footstep behind me. I looked behind me. And my eyes grew in shock. Behind me I saw a hooded figure. She was covered in some kind of black cloak. I couldn't really see his face or what he had under that cloak. Great. Now I have a sexual deviant on my case. I quickened my foostep. And I heard the clanking sound do the same. Crap.

I moved away from the main street and into some alleyways. I thought I could loose him inside the maze that were those alleyways. I forgot two things. It was a maze. And I weren't even living for a month in this city. And here it was. Dead end. And the clanking approached from behind me, getting closer.

Alright Ruby. Take a deep breath. You took self defense course. You know what to do. Maybe you can convince him that you're not worth it. Trick him. Worst case, you can buy yourself enough time to run away. And call for help. Alright Ruby, you have a plan. Now...

I turned away. There he was. He was ... not very tall. I wasn't sure, maybe it was due to the cloak but he was maybe a bit taller then myself. Alright Ruby, maybe this won't be that hard. Its not some big guy.

"Hey! Why are you following me. I don't want no trouble!" I yelled at him. He stopped. Good. Remember Ruby, confidence.

"Careful." I heard his calm voice...no, wait. That wasn't a guy. That was a girl. Oh no, was this some creepy girl stalker?

Then I heard it.

Wet, chirping sound behind me. I could feel the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I gulped and slowely looked behind me. There they were. Pair of red glowing eyes just inches away from me.

"I'll count to three and then run my way." I heard the cloaked girl say. And I could feel the time slowing down.

"One." She started to count. My body tensed. I prepared myself to run.

"Two." She continued, I saw her drop the cloak. All I could see is that she was wearing a white skirt, her hair being long and of the same color. She had some sort of weapon. I heard the thing behind me stir.

"Three." I didn't wait. I didn't know what was going on, but I would rather trust this white haired girl then whatever it was behind me. I moved. And at the same time as I moved, I could feel the impact behind me. As something just pummeled against the spot I just stood before. I couldn't help myself.

I screamed.

Ω

"Three." I stoped counting and started to run forward. The dust was coursing in my veins, making my reflexes quicker. I saw the redhead girl stumble forward as the Mesothelae moved one of its spiked legs to crush at the spot she just was at. This girl was quick enough to avoid it, but too slow to get away. I cursed under my breath. This going to get ugly.

I had to quickly assess the situation. I couldn't summon a glyph, she was too close. Firing at him would bring too much attention to this spot. This thing was sticking to the wall. It can jump over us and enclose us here. And I can't bait it off it because of this damned girl. I had to melee it. Fuck.

I closed in just as the spider beast was about to swing one of his legs at the laying girl. I saw her cover herself with her arms. Luckly I managed to get there just in time. I parried the monstrous leg with my rapier as if it was another blade.

"Go on! Move! Get out of here!" I yelled at her. I would to find her later and make sure she had a memory leak. But for now, her safety was more important. She nodded and started to get up … only to fall back.

"I c-can't. My leg..." I clenched my teeth and saw that she was holding her ankle. I focused my gaze on the spider monstrosity on the wall. It was dark, and it was hard to make out details with so little light. But I was able to see enough. I saw its outline.

This time he directly attacked at me. He swung his leg at me. I parried it to the side once more, I went in to retaliate and my blade sank into its oily body. I heard it let out a hiss of pain. It knew now that it wouldn't find easy prey tonight.

The beast backed up the wall a bit. Enough to get away from my rapier. Still too close for glyphs. Not with this girl around.

The monster acted quickly after that. He moved four of his legs and raised them. He knew what he was dealing with. Something that was able to fight back.

I parried one of them. I once more retaliated after deflecting it only to spin to the left and avoid the second one. The third missed completely. But the fourth caught me by surprise.

I yelled as it hit me. It sent me against the wall. And I saw my body glow as my aura worked its magic to block the damage...did I just make a pun? Ugh... Too bad it wouldn't block the pain. I started to get up when I noticed that this beast still had its eyes on the girl.

I saw it raise its claw.

I droped my rapier.

The claw like leg began its journey down towards the girl.

I reached towards my revolver.

And then it hit.

"No!" I couldn't help but yell … only to blink in shock. Instead of a gory mess that should welcome my eyes, instead I saw the body of this girl glow. The glow then started to crumble as if it was made out of glass, only to shatter completely. I think both me and the beast were quite surprised by that.

But I had to act quickly. Loud gunfire sound echoed through the alleyway.

The beast hissed out in pain. The bullet covered in red dust would slowly disintegrate his body. Turning it into dust. I froze in my spot. I listened. I had to assess how much time I have before people would stumble in to check out what the noise was.

Less then five minutes.

I picked up my rapier and ran towards the girl. I raised her head. She was still in shock. She just saw death knock at her doors. Who wouldn't be a bit shocked. I smirked. I couldn't waste my time on trying to make this girl get back to her senses. I sighed as I took out a blue marble out of my pocket. I grabbed her hand and squeeze one of those into her grip. I allowed for some of my magic to sip into it, and watched as the girl slowly disappeared.

As I took another one and grasped it tightly inside my own palm, I couldn't help but think how much Ozpin will hate me for it.