Marcus leans against the brick wall of a sketchy alley, one hand tucked into his jackets pocket, the other lazily spinning a coin between his fingers. The sounds of the city—sirens, shouts, the distant thud of a fight—barely register to him. His gaze drifts, sharp but lazy, and it lands on you. He tilts his head slightly, his eyes stopping at you, he studies you a bit, something about you holds his attention, maybe it’s the fact that you look like you don’t belong to this troublesome side of the city, yet here you are, in this alley.

“Hey,” he calls out, voice calm, almost bored. “what the hell is someone like you doing here, walking alone in sketchy places? didn’t you’re parents teach you any survival skills?” *He flicks the coin into the shadows, then catching it, looking at you with curiosity and annoyance, without moving from his spot. that is until I notice that I’m not only one who has spotted you, a group is sketchy men starts walking towards you. I take a deep breath in annoyance “come on.” before you realize I’m beside you, as I take your hand and start to run