"Calm down!'' I shout over my shoulder, knowing it's futile as I do so. I'd just taken a gun from the most notorious serial/contract killer in Ionia. God what was I thinking?

"Get. Back. Here. NOW!''

'Goodness he sounds angry...'

I ignored his shouts and continued running. What else could I do? I hadn't planned this far ahead. All I'd wanted to do was avoid conflict with the barmaid and had done something stupid in turn. I knew at least, that I could cross the bridge I'd come from and disappear into the forest just beyond it. It would be unsafe, and my coordination in the dark was as good as that of a four year old. But if I could just get there...

'It's so far from the bar...was it always this far?'

My thoughts raced as I ran off the path and across the open field, hoping to get there faster. My legs burned as I sprinted, but I pressed on, fear ruling my actions instead of common sense. I needed to get to the bridge. I felt almost guilty as passed noisily through the night, interrupting the gentleness of crickets and still water with the sound of boots and heavy panting.

''Stop! I said-''

'Just get to the bridge.'

"Got...DAMN you!''

At the sound of his shout, the bottom of my foot full on connected with what felt like a bed of porcupines needles. It was quickly followed by a tingling sensation that traveled up my leg. It felt as though I were suddenly running in slow motion despite my best efforts. It reminded me of how running in dreams always felt as though it were happening underwater. My legs began to bubble painlessly until the sensation reached the surface of my skin where I swear I felt razor blades explode. Had I stepped on a lotus trap? I didn't understand how...but the feeling, though I'd never felt it before seemed unmistakable. As I turn to Jhin, seeing all to late that a simple apology and explanation was the best bet, I watch him tug the longer of the guns from it's holster. He gracefully pulls it free, extends the hand he used, and presses the trigger. I feel the bullet connect with my arm and I freeze in place, unable to move as the pain shoots through nerves I didn't know I had. My muscles lock. Jhin chuckles.

"Ahaha... you thought you could run from me?'' Jhin asks this while sliding the gun back into place and jogging over. His pace somehow still held a confident stride.

Paralyzed both physically and with fear, I swallow audibly, unable to speak. Once in front of me, he stops and leans close, his voice low. I could feel the anger radiating from him.

"So this was your true intention...to steal from me.'' He slid the gun from my frozen fingers and hastily wiped it four times as he spoke.

"No.'' I breathed out.

"Then what, on earth, was that?'' He emphasized his disbelief, his tone sounding more like a humor than actual question.

"I-''

My explanation was cut off by a sharp exhale as the paralytic seemed to wear off. My legs shaky, I fall forward to my hands and knees. My hands instantly sink into the soft dirt and I look up at the virtuoso, my face flushing red. Before I can say anything more he slides his foot under my wrists, making me fall into the dirt face first with a soft 'thud'. I open my mouth to protest as I try sitting up on my elbow only to be knocked down once again.

"No no no...'' He rests his boot on my cheek. "I want you as low as possible for this conversation. Quite literally.''

"Let me up!'' I shout. "This is humiliating! I can talk without being treated like a dog!''

"True...'' He presses the heel of his boot into my cheek, forcing my face further into the soft dirt. "But you stole from me...like a common thug. Thus while explaining you'll be treated like one.''

Tears of anger well in my eyes and I say nothing in response.

"Now...tell me.'' He reloads his gun as he speaks and his eyes lock on mine. "What exactly is it that you want from me?''

"I...'' I sigh, forcing myself to not hesitate. "I want what the letter entails. I just...the barmaid I wanted to get out of there.''

"Do you realize...how filthy your hands are?''

"I realize how filthy ALL of me is because your foot is on my face.'' I snapped back.

He chuckles, pressing his boot down again; this time as leverage for balance to pull his longer gun out. I feel my heart thud in outright panic. This wasn't good.

"You're so angry when you're the one in the wrong. Seems...backwards. Now, answer me before I paint the dull brown beneath your head a lovely bright scarlet.''

I go limp and close my eyes, warm dirt meshing into my hair. The look in his eyes said he was ready to shoot me point blank. I pause, preferring to at least be sitting upright. His finger hovers on the trigger.

"Fine...I just... the truth is...'' My entire body seems to flush red as I whisper the truth. "I want to be turned into a work of art. I want...to be used by you and taken to an end however you see fit.''

''I only grabbed your gun to avoid confrontation,'' I was going to add, but the weight on my face lifts as Jhin finally removes his foot. He takes a step back and I sit up, not even bothering to try and clean myself of the dirt. He holds one hand to his chest, seemingly shocked as he looks down at me. He of all people knew people rarely ever lied at gunpoint. The sound of crickets chirping in the night-time air was all either of us heard for awhile. I swallow audibly and look at his boots. Gunpoint certainly hadn't been my ideal way of confessing what I'd truly wanted.

"I see.'' He says.

I continue to stare at the ground, watching as he walks closer. I hear the soft tink of metal as his left hand outstretches to rest near my face. I look at it for a moment before accepting, pulling myself up. Finally I begin to brush myself off. He hands me my backpack, holding it in between his first two fingers for it's covered in mud.

"This is yours...yes?''

I grab it quietly and he continues.

"Talk with me more about this...want of yours.''