In Trouble Again

Gabriel shuffles down the dimly lit sidewalk. He hates walking around Brooklyn, NY at night, especially this late. It was really reckless of him to stay at the library all night when he had to open shop in the morning. And what's worse is he left empty handed. He'd been there all day and found nothing. Absolutely nothing. He shakes his head at the thought.

It happened, it did. He remembers the incident as if it happened yesterday. The man taking him from his winter home. The way he demanded his daughter to murder him. The way his daughter refused. And saved him. His guardian angel saved him. You don't just forget that kind of thing.

But you can make it up.

No! He couldn't have made it up. It had to have happened. He might be slightly off his rocker, but not enough to create an entire incident like that. If he had, then his whole trip to the library was a waste of time. Hell, a big part of his life would be a waste of time! And if that's true he's been infatuated with a girl that's not even real. Well, that would explain why he liked her so much when they "met".

Still the thought of being wrapped in a white jacket and thrown in a padded cell for the rest of his life doesn't exactly appeal to Gabriel.

A winter breeze whips through his hair and plays against his cheeks. He probably should've worn something heavier than a simple jacket. Then again, he didn't expect to be out this late either. Oh well, too late.

Gabriel shivers as a snowflake falls down the back of his shirt. He lifts up the collar of his jacket to keep any other wandering flakes from doing the same. The small, melted snowflake draws a path down his back. It really isn't helping the hairs on the back of his neck go down. Everything's so quiet. That's not usual for Brooklyn, even at night. There's always some kind of noise. An alley cat meowing. A gutter leaking quiet droplets onto the pavement. There's always something.

But now there's not. There's not even wind!

The snow's falling silently. The only sound Gabriel can hear is the slight crunching of fallen snow under his shoes. He let's out a shuddered breath, the steam momentarily blurring his vision. His pace slows as he glances around at his surroundings, listening.

Crash! Gabriel nearly loses his balance when a couple of trash cans fall over a few feet away from him, making him jump. The crash echos through the air, reverberating off of alleyway walls and in the streets. He jerks to examine the cause of the noise. His eyes fall upon the knocked over garbage cans, over flowed trash pouring out of them. He cocks his head.

Gabriel feels the urge tiptoe closer. No!, the logic in his head yells at him, You run away from loud noises! Do you want to end up like those dummies in horror movies! Another voice reaches out to him, one more dangerous, darker, Take the risk. For some reason those few words win out, and he continues walking into the alleyway.

Gabriel calls into the dark alley, "Hello?". His knees dampen as he kneels in the snow, searching for the cause of the ruckus. He jumps when the cans closest to him start to vibrate. He tries to jump to his feet but instead of shooting up and running he loses his balance. His behind hits the concrete with a sickening crack and an excruciating pain shoots up his spine. He shuts his eyes tightly as he grips his lower back.

"Ouch..." he groans, opening his eyes. His eyes jerk open completely and his body tenses as he watches the cans shake more violently. He can hear something slowly, quietly sneak out from behind them...

Meow.

Gabriel finally let's the cold air into his lungs. Just a cat. Wow, he freaked out over a cat. How lame is that?

He pats his leg, singing sweet calls to the feline. His hand still trembles with the aftershock. The cat purrs a little as it trots up to him. It soothes it's dark coat against his outstretched palm. So what if its a black cat? It's not like Gabriel believes in that sort of thing...

"Hey you." Gabriel nearly gives himself whiplash as he jerks his head to look at the voice. He stares at the man in confusion. This is not the time or place to be confused. It's twelve in the morning on a cold winters day. Better yet, he's in a dark alleyway. Great.

"Whatcha doin'?" The man steps out into the moonlight. He's a tall man, nearly as tall as Gabriel himself. His skin is pale, dirt scuffed against his cheek. He, like Gabriel, was dressed in unsuited attire for the weather. A hole gapes through his faded jeans. He doesn't seem very friendly. He's sure seems sneaky though...

"Um," Gabriel stutters quietly, "nothing really. I was just...curious." He stumbles to his feet, "Uh, I'll be on my way now." Gabriel begins half running, half staggering away, but is halted by a single sound. A click. It's small, you wouldn't have been able to hear it if the night hadn't been so silent. Gabriel can recognize that kind if sound anywhere.

It's a gun being cocked.