He watched her hair. Auburn, tied together in a knot. A single strand had escaped and dangled around the curve of her neck.
She was on her way home, so late in the night, all alone. He could see she was tired in the way her shoulders slumped down. She hugged herself against the fresh breeze.
Under her coat, a black and white uniform peeked through.
Poor woman, almost girl, delicate and shivering.
Too early, not now, not here.
From his spot at the wall her frame got closer, and he could make out her features in the white light of the lanterns.
A single mole above the curve of her upper lip.
Circles under her eyes.
His hand trembled slightly, as he smelled her. A faint , flowery perfume, very subtle. But just as delicate as her frame. He clenched them to fists in his pockets, waited until she passed before he turned around.
She hadn't seen him. And she wouldn't know what was up until he wanted her to know.
Lucky girl. Not today. Sleep tight.
Shoot a man with a gun. Your aim must be true.
Billie Lurks feet moved in a steady stride. Knowing where to step could safe your life. And so she always took care where to put her feet. Sweat was forming on her brow as she ran. Her breath was even. Concentration was the key.
Use a sword to cut him down. Hands must be steady.
The sound of water close by, seagulls circled her head, screeching sounds over the roar of the road nearby.
A cat ran over the cobblestones, paws soundless and tail twitching. Grey and ragged it prowled, hissing a little as she passed way too close, and disappeared into another alley.
It's not about the tool you wield.
Billie did neither slow or stop as she met the end of the alley, a high fence. Fingers gripping into metal, she hurled her feet up, and climbed. Fast as she could. But still with even breath. Her feet did almost make no sound as they hit the ground.
You are the weapon.
Hands came out of nowhere. Thin pale fingers, and formed into a tight fist, they aimed at her face.
Billie ducked. Another punch, this time lower, and she blocked it.
The impact hurt, but by the sound of the attacker, as she grabbed his arm and twisted it brutally, she hurt him more.
He struggled in the grip, and kicking, he broke free. He landed a blow on her chest, but she didn't mind.
Billie sucker punched him. A closed fist contacting the soft underbelly of a person, knocking the air out of the attackers lungs.
Another punch, straight in his open face, and he went flying to the ground.
Moving her arms and legs, breath deeply, she watched the young man on the ground.
'Mean right, Lurk.' He moaned and sat up, inspecting his jaw.
'Weak kick, Ashley.' She answered, offering her hand.
One hand still around his jaw, he took her hand. 'You're just better than me.'
Because you lack purpose. She thought but didn't say, cleaning the sweat from her brow. You're lazy. Fooling around when you could do better.
'Next time, at least try to hide.' Billie told him and he smiled, sharp features somehow turning soft in the process. He was charming, she'd to give him that. But charm was not necessarily a proof of good character. Luckily for Ashley, he was a decent person. He had patience like a saint.
'Yes, Ma'am.' He said, good natured if only a little snarky. 'Or maybe I'll just sent Thomas or an acolyte as cannon fodder.'
' Then you'll never improve that crippled kicks.' Heart slowly calming, she put her hands in her pockets.
'One was told training would earn a decent breakfast.' Ash remarked as they reached the main road and the roaring life surrounded them. The scent of fresh baked bread hit her nose, and judging by Ashley's expression he had smelled it too.
They made their way down the street together, passing numerous shops and a yelling kid not older than 12, a stack of papers in his grip.
ANOTHER BODY FOUND
KILLER ON THE HUNT ?!
'By the way.' Ashley had moved a little closer, tousled brown hair hanging in his eyes. 'Was there anything you learned when you...you know...'
'No.' Talk or silence? Both has its perks.
He shrugged. Still eyeing her close.
Know when to speak, you'll learn a thing or two.
'She had a ring. That's all.'
He was the one paying in the end. She didn't mind and he never complained.
Hand clutched around the steaming warm baked good, he seemed to have forgotten questions for a while.'A ring?'
'The thing you find on fingers.'
He rolled his eyes, still in good mood. 'I know what a ring is, Lurk. What kind of ring?'
'Silver.' She said between two bites. 'With a gem.'
'Sounds like an engagement ring.'
'She wasn't engaged. Maybe she stole it. Or it was a gift.'
'Sure. Or bought herself. ' A while they walked in silence, eating.
'You gave the ring to Daud?'
Maybe, she thought, he wasn't as lazy as she had thought. The interest in his voice was clear.
Ashley was deeply in thoughts. He almost tripped over a loose cobble. When he caught himself, there was a little smile on his face.
'No point in guessing.' He finally said. 'If the smartest people around don't find a hint.'
He's good at ducking his head. I knew kids like him. They could hide in plain sight all day, just because they let anyone think they were superior.
Something threw her off. In the way he tried to use this skill against her. In his sudden interest.
It tickled in the back of her neck. But then he smiled again, very genuine, and the sense was gone.
'You need something around here? I wanted to-'
'No. Just go. I'll see you tomorrow.'
She watched willowy Ash with the smile walk away, sure to keep an eye on him in the future.
'I don't think they know they are trespassing.' Standing straight ,hands behind his back, Thomas shifted only slightly as he saw Ash appear in the doorway.
'Then make them leave. ' Daud said, not acknowledging the young man waiting, watching. 'And sent someone to patrol. I don't want them any closer.'
'Yes.' No backtalk, no questions. A swift nod and Thomas was on his way again.
'It's done.' Ash just said. They both knew what he meant. 'Ship's left to the islands early this morning.'
'No problems?'
Ash's jaw clenched. 'I wouldn't say that. She wasn't happy. But as I said. It's done.'
'Good.'
Ash took another step closer, but stopped when Daud looked at him.
'Something else on your mind?'
'No. It's just...after taking her here I hadn't thought you'd let her off the hook.'
Colour us both surprised, boy, he thought.
Ash was twitching under his glare, but didn't insist on anything.
My loyalty lies with you, he had pledged. For his sake he hoped that held true. He couldn't afford another stunt like Sara and the bomb. For one moment, thinking about the night and the fire , and their last conversation, Daud felt tired. It didn't hold on for long, as he straightened his back.
Someone was moving through the house, boots clucking over wood. There was the faint sound of swords sheathed, and hushed voices. Probably Thomas or one of the others sent to patrol.
Ash cleared his throat. He still hadn't left. 'Lurk told me about the ring.'
Daud's eyes wandered to his desk, where silver metal rested on cool wood. He choose his next words careful, putting emphasis in them.
'I don't remember ordering you to sneak around. Or her confiding in you, for that matter.'
It showed effect. Ash's face , half hidden under tousled hair, went a little pale. 'I'm sorry, I asked her about it. Just..curious.'
'You know what curiosity holds in store for people sticking their nose in matters they don't belong to.'
Ash didn't falter. 'Yes, as I said. I apologize.'
Daud huffed, and Ash took a last peek at the ring before retreating.
Henry Mirrik stood on his work desk, hands bloody. Water splashed as he put his hands in the bowl. Strings of red spreading.
Silver metal blinked in the light, a scissor and a pincer, stained with blood.
In the small room, various amounts of tubes, glass and boxes lay scattered around.
Mirrik was concentrated. His hazel eyes slightly narrowed as they looked down on his now clean hands.
He rubbed them, before returning to the man seated next to him.
The man moaned. Blood soaked a bandage on his shoulder.
'Don't move it too much.' Mirrik insisted.' I'll give you something for the pain, but you'll still feel terrible.'
'Thanks, doc.'
The appreciation earned the man a small ,crooked smile.
'Don't thank me yet. It'll hurt very bad for a long time. You are lucky the bullet didn't hit your bone or important muscle tissue. Else your shoulder would be crushed now and you could never move it again.'
The man just nodded at Henry Mirrik and shifted slightly to grab a leather pouch.
'Not much, you know how it is sometimes.'
Mirrik didn't count the money, just slid it in his pocket.
'Yes.' Said Mirrik, still smiling crooked but friendly.' Especially after one gets hurt because he lost at gambling again.'
The man laughed and moaned again in pain. A knock on his door made Henry stop in his tracks.
He grabbed the scalpel laying on the table, sharp and clean. 'Just a moment.' He muttered, more to himself than to the man.
In this part of the city, it was best to be prepared for the worst. Especially if you decline to pay tax to the local gang.
He had some sort of ceasefire most of the times, because he had patched up so many of them. But sometimes, they forgot friendly deeds.
Scalpel held tight, he moved to open the door.
Look at you, Henry, he heard the mocking voice of one of his former colleagues. Wading deep through the filth of the city. Your future held so much promise. You could have become famous, with one of your studies! Your mentors were so proud! Or even just the doctor of some rich man. But you decided to go here. Doing good work, are we?
A crack, a knifes length, but as he saw the familiar face, he tore the chain away to open the door up wide.
'Ash? Are you hurt?'
'I'm fine.'
'Well, do I need to fetch my things then?'
'Not necessary. I assure you, no one's hurt.'
Coming to a doctor when no one is hurt? Mirrik gave Ash a long look, from his gloved hands, to the scar slung around his jaw. Green eyes watching, brown hair ruffled, with scars on his forehead. Consider me curious for your motive now.
'Can I come inside?' Ash asked.
'Sure, but I've got a patient.'
In the cramped and packed up room, Henry watched the other man take a seat on a box, silent. He blended in with the background like he took the colour of the wood, patiently and calm.
The man on the chair had watched their exchange but didn't mind Ash much. Not with the pain he was going through.
Henry Mirrik returned to his task. Handing the man a small vial, he gave him only few further instructions before he sent him on his way into the dark.
'I need your help, Henry.' Ash started from his spot on the box, while he watched the doctor clean up. 'You know about the murder last week, the girl found at the river.'
'Who doesn't?' Henry worked quick. He'd done the same stroke of work so often he didn't need to watch too closely.
Ash clenched his jaw, muscles tense in his face. 'I hoped...you could find out more for me.'
'Just because I am a physician' Mirrik said, scolding.' does not mean I'm invited with kisses to join the examination of a murder case.'
'I know.' Ash tried to appease him. 'But you got contacts. And even if you can't find out anything about the victim. You'd be able to give me the name of someone who does. And your.. knowledge,' Ash scratched his cheek. 'Would be very appreciated.'
'My knowledge?' He asked, crooked smile again on his face.
Ash smiled back. 'Yes, good doctor. Your knowledge. You are very wise for a man your age.'
'Then I suppose I could try to get you that kind of information.' He furrowed his brow slightly, hazel eyes watching the visitor. 'Share my wisdom.'
'Thank you, Henry.'
'Are you staying for a very late dinner?'
Ash sighed and hopped down the box.' I'd love to, but I am busy. Another time? 'There was hope in the question.
The doctor couldn't let that hope be in vain. Good soul that he was. ' Of course. Keep care.'
'You too.' Ash said ,in all honesty.
As he led the other man to the door, the scalpel lay on the desk. It had taken a good while for him to earn the doctors trust. But if you were patching up local gangs, poor citizens and other shady people, sometimes life led you on a strange path. He wasn't very comfortable with the whalers knocking on his door, but they were discreet. And most of the times, in high contrast to poor citizens and local gang members: they paid. Whatever moral terms people were claiming to have, everyone needed to eat. And his supplies wouldn't just refill themselves.
It had been coincidence the young man was around more often. He wasn't that often hurt. But he brought people, or got the doctor, and he cared. Someone caring for others wasn't that common in a place like this. And then, he had started coming around without bleeding people tugged under his arms. He was a pleasure in the filthy and screaming lowtown that was Henry Mirriks home.
Henry Mirrik watched Ash disappear into the shadows, like he was made of fog.
