I watched you as you slipped back into the shadows. You never once took your eyes off me. It would seem that we are now hunting each other Mr Riddick.
I admit that your care with the young girl has touched me deeply. I have been intimate with death for the greater part of my life. Perhaps the things I have witnessed have damaged me somewhat. I would never wish a young girl to see the things I have seen. Something so simple, asking a child to close her eyes.
I have begun to wonder at a good deal of what is written in your files. Perhaps your hunting of me may answer some of those questions.
I slip from the roof. I have no worry of being identified, here, on New Mecca, where the attire of the locals is long loose robes. My rifle is slung, covered by a lightweight black robe, my hair and much of my face hidden within a hood.
The elderly woman didn’t want to take my money, despite my insistance, so I gave it to the young girl instead. I wish I had something else, she is so frightened. “Don’t be afraid”, brush a lock of beautiful black curly hair off her face, “Don’t cry, it’s all over now, soon you’ll forget all about this”. I don’t really believe that myself, but without hope there is nothing.
I slip back down the alley, staying to the shadows.You’re tracking me, I know this instinctively, and realize that, if we met on the open street, that more people might get hurt. Or, just as likely, we will never learn anything at all about each other, other than what we already know, that we are both adept killers.
The wine merchant looks nervously about, as I finish paying, and ask for a slip of paper. I had purchased an especially expensive bottle, perhaps he believes I wish him some sort of harm. No matter.
I quickly write down the address of the hotel I am staying in, the merchant looks relieved. Did he believe it would be a note asking to empty the register? Robbery may well be the least of his problems, if I have misjudged.
“There will be a gentleman who will come here shortly, asking for information about me.”
The merchant’s eyes, questioning me, he can’t see my face under the hood, this must be disquieting, and I don’t mean to frighten him, but there really is nothing that can be done about it. I’m hoping that if he is afraid enough he will do what he is asked.
“You will give him this slip of paper when he asks. You will not push that button under the register, and you will definitely not reach for the weapon under the counter. Yes, that one, please put your hands back, sir, I am trying to ensure you are not harmed, please don’t make this difficult.”
“I sincerely don’t believe the gentleman will harm you, if he perceives that you are no threat, please see to it that you aren’t.”
I begin to move towards the back of the store, so there is no doubt that it wasn’t a question I was asking, “Do you have a rear exit? Yes, thank you. Please remember what I have said sir.”
I slipped out the back door, in search of a decent meal.
~~~
“Where did that woman go”
“h h h here”, slides the piece of paper across the counter.
An address. Interesting.
“I’ll never tell anyone you were here, she said you wouldn’t hurt me. I just want to forget any of this happened.”
Hmmm, now how would you know that? You’re right of course, this guy kept his hands in sight, never went for the button, or the weapon under the counter. No threat.
“She went out the back, right..”
“y yes, about 10 minutes ago.”
So, you’re gone already. If you had intended to be tracked, you wouldn’t have left an address.
I’d waste all day and not find you. The only time I even knew you were following me is BECAUSE you were following me. If that wind hadn’t of blown wrong on that one day,letting me catch scent of you, I wouldn’t even have known you were following me at all. You’re good. I’m impressed. I tracked things for a living, once, and was never that quiet.
Far too much style to be a merc. Then there’s that little girl. You risked exposure, to me, in saving her, and to yourself, afterwards, right out on the street, to comfort her.
A lot of people might not have seen the outline of that rifle, but I did, and any passing law would have.
You’re definitely no merc, but you are hunting me, and I don’t believe you were up on the roof with a rifle to blow me kisses. Somethings changed though. Damned if I can’t help but be curious.
Alhambra Inn. Quiet, out of the way. Classy. Your room’s on the fourth floor, no problem letting myself in. Might as well wait, and see what happens.
~~~~
Leave the wine and dinner by the door. No need to have everything end up everywhere, it would be such a waste, and this shouldn’t be long, hopefully.
You’re here, a fingerprint, on the door handle. Your scent of course, unmistakable.
Plus, that simple fact that I left you my address. It was hardly subtle, but then again, it wasn’t meant to be.
Seems we will be meeting again, Mr Riddick.