She had planned everything. Yet it seemed so vast, like stepping out and falling into the vast stretch of never-ending ocean.
But she couldn't stay here. Her breathing came in heaves and she clenched her fists so tight that her knuckles hurt.
It was going to be tonight. Tonight or never.
The night air whipped her face and she shivered, clutching her cloak tighter. The street was dark and sinister, crawling with drunkards and cloaked strangers. The smell of booze was almost overwhelming.
A man wheeling a cart of who-knows-what rushed past her, knocking her into a group of men. One of them shoved at her angrily. "Watch your step, runt." he growled. The sudden movement unhinged her hood and his eyes lingered on her hair which cascaded down, glistening in the bright moonlight. He reached out and weaved his fingers through a couple of strands.
Ambra started and turned. Then froze.
With his rough unshaven beard and sharp beak-like nose, it was unmistakeably her father. He stared in shock for a few seconds and that small while was enough for Ambra to wrench away from him and run off, pelting down the street.
Her breath came in gasps and her eyes wheeled in terror. It was a game of fox vs. rabbit. And the chances of her winning was pitifully minimal.