Chapter 03 | Storm Approaches
"So – he killed Max. Regrettable… Okay – then what happened?"
The lights from the swinging street lamps played on the rain slickened cobbles and flagstones of the damp alley where Jasper was talking to a tall hooded stranger. The stranger's face was obscured in darkness and his voice was soft but filled with a subtle danger that was lost on Jasper as he concentrated hard on finishing his story.
"…then uhhh, Max didn't get up on account of the bottle the little guy hit him in the face… uh, with."
Above the alley, heavy clouds rolled in, obscuring the stars, and the rains began to fall – a storm was about to break as the man in the hood asked again, the thread of frustration ran through his cool, professional voice.
"I understand. THEN what happened?"
Jasper was looking furtively around the dark corners of the alley. He was uncomfortable with the discussion and wanted to be anywhere else.
"M-maybe we should go inside somewhere fuh-first… It's rain-"
The dark stranger interrupted and spoke with a force that was almost tangible in its effect on Jasper.
"HERE is fine. Tell me – what happened next?"
As the water from the sky streamed down his face Jasper did his best to remember and re-tell the events as they happened.
"Th- then Krista said… she forgave me." He got a little emotional and tears formed mingling with the rain. "a…and put her arms around me... Then uh the little guy –"
"Levi." Interjected the hooded stranger impatiently.
"Yuh-yeah, Levi – he even let me go… uh – too. So… now I like him."
Then Jasper looked the stranger right in the eye and said emphatically, "An – and I don't care what you say! I'm glad we didn't kill Krista! Krista is the nicest person EVER!"
"Keep your voice down… I'm right here."
"Suh – sorry. It's just that Krista is nice. And not only that… but…"
Jasper pointed a big finger at the hooded man and wagged it authoritatively.
"Do you know she risks her life every day to protect the city?"
The mysterious man only nodded as the rain trickled from his hood.
"Yes Jasper, of course I do. That's why it is such a difficult thing to do. She's a good person – but sadly, she has to die. Yet, even though you failed in your task… I know you worked very hard and you should be rewarded for that."
"I-I should?"
"Certainly." The man in the hood pointed to a large refuse bin. "I've hidden your pay in there."
Jasper immediately ran over to the bin, threw the large lid back and leaned over, rummaging around, as he spoke excitedly.
"Wow – that's smart! Putting a reward in a big ol' garbage bin! That way, no one will look for the reward there – because – uh… that's where everyone only puts their garbaAAGGHK!"
With a slight scrape of steel against bone, the man in the hood slid the long, thin blade from the base of Jasper's skull where he had just violently thrust it.
He wiped the blade clean on the dead thug's backside and pulled his cloak back to replace the knife in a small sheath on his belt. He looked left, then right, to make sure the alley was still empty, then grabbed both of Jasper's feet and up ended him into the bin and firmly closed the lid back in place.
As he walked into the main street, he looked up and noticed that the rain had paused. Erwin Smith pulled his cowl back and took a breath of cool, damp air. Things were getting complicated and he needed a new plan.
I hadn't counted on Levi getting involved… What's his interest in Krista I wonder? Just bonding with the troops? Or is there something more going on… Does he know? I need to re-think things… I must be more careful.
"H-Huh?!"
Erwin turned suddenly as he heard the clopping of approaching hooves in the distance. Moving quickly down another side street, he was gone.