iHola! ?Como estas?

Don't know how to do the upside down ?

lol

Okay I lied. This one wasn't much longer was it?

Sorry about the lack of in-chapter naming on the last chapter. Got a tad lazy there.

Chapter 4: Sig

The next couple of months were kind of a blur, but I did find out that I was in Haven City. Wherever that is... I also learned that the section that I'd landed in was known as the Slums, and believe me it sure lived up to its name.

I lived on the streets during that time, dividing my time between running from 'Krimzon Guards,' as they seem to be known as, and digging through the trash to eat. I was caught a few times, and that caused the KG start chasing me down again.

Survival became the game, and my appearance showed it. I'd thinned, as was expected of someone who learned to live off garbage. But that was the food available, save for a kind soul willing to hand over a crust of bread every so often. And my feet had seen better days, scratched and bruised because the sandals had long since worn off. I'd never really cared about how I looked, but right then I would have almost given anything for a warm bath and a set of clean clothes. I kept my satchel in the hole with heating pipes. I came back every night, so what was the point of carting it around with me?

At about the four month mark (and at 6:01 in the morning, no less) I recieved a rather rude awakening. I'd been writing in my journal, the pen I'd brought scratching against the paper quietly, and next moment I was dragged out of my hole in the wall by my ankle. The minute I saw bulky gray armor, I started beating every inch I could reach with my journal. This guy wasn't wearing the usual red armor, or the less common yellow uniform of the Guard, but that didn't matter at the moment. What mattered was that this person had a grip on my leg, holding me upside down, and I was scared out of my mind.

"Hey! Woah!" He was obviously not expecting a beating from a book. In his shock, I was dropped on my head. "Definitely not a Metal Head..." He regarded me with curious eyes, crouching down to my level. "You're one fiesty cherry, aren't you?"

Wait a minute. Did this guy just call me a cherry? Now I was really confused. Looking him over, I saw that he was dark skinned, and his armor was lacking any KG insignia. That was a little comforting until I saw the claws and horns that adorned his attire, and the giant gun he had on his back. I figured my best bet would be to keep my mouth shut and try not to make him angry, so that's what I did.

He raised an eyebrow, and rubbed what looked like some kind of monocle absentmindedly. "Sorry about that, by the way. When people see yellow, they think Metal Head." He paused. "Where are my manners?" The man held out a large blue gloved hand. "Name's Sig."

I hesitated in shaking the appendage, but did so after he assured me that it wouldn't bite. "My name's Dezerae." I said, and immediately tilted my head. "What's a Metal Head?"

'Sig' looked at me like I was crazy. "You don't know what a Metal Head is?" No, bub, I was trying to make you ask questions. Instead of voicing this, I shook my head, that seeming the wisest choice at the moment. "Dang, chilipepper, you ain't from around here are you? Metal heads are the monsters that've been messin' with the city for as long as anybody can remember. And his highness, Praxis," Something told me that this Praxis guy was not the most favored ruler. "keeps them at bay. Or so he says. If you ask me, it's a load of yakow shit. Keeps the city under his heel, the tyrant." Evidently that 'something' told me right.

Changing the subject, Sig looked me up and down. "Girl, you look half starved. Your momma feed you?"

"My parents have been... dead for about eight years now." I replied, eyes downcast. Before he could apologize, I cut him off. "Don't. You didn't know."

Sig nodded. "Well, anyway you look like you need some grub. And some bandages, judging by your feet." He added glancing down at my bare toes.

My stomach growled in agreement. I hadn't had a decent meal in weeks. Sig laughed. "I'll take that a yes." He said, motioning for me to follow. And follow him I did, after retrieving my satchel and journal.

R&R please!

Cookies to those who could tell it was Sig at the mention of "bulky gray armor"