Alarm

[holiday_pirner]

The night was cool enough to still be considered nice. Holly had considered cooking dinner, but her fridge was desperately lacking. There was a little convenience market not too far from her flat. The brunette decided to walk instead of drive.

Once she was on the pavement, she adjusted her purse on her shoulder, looking around for any sign of her shadow. He was well-hidden tonight. But he would be around. It was just after 9 PM. A light breeze tousled her hair as she began to walk.

"It's a nice night," Holly said, knowing her voice would drift to reach him, wherever he was. "Too bad I'm all alone." She knew if anyone else were around, they'd think her insane. "I'm sorry I was mean to you the other night."

It was easier to say the words without having to face him. She hated apologizing, not because she didn't mean it, but it meant acknowledging she had made a mistake. And that was something that Holly didn't do well.

Comments

[birthright_npc]

Rhys made a noncommittal noise, almost a grunt, but the apology was a surprise. He hadn't thought Holly had it in her. He'd already smoked his limit that night, so there was no cigarette in his mouth. His coat was black this time, the brown one being at the dry cleaners. He'd left his post because she was on the move. If she could be attacked by a vampire ten feet from her door, anything could happen to her if she went further afield.

"You're lucky I don't get angry."

He said it just loud enough for his voice to carry, his soft-soled shoes covering the distance as he followed at a safe distance. The crossbow was collapsed under his coat, accompanying a Walther PPK, which was in a shoulder holster. The gun was legally registered in his name, part of his occasional work as a corporate bodyguard. The government had offered to pay for his services after he got out of the military, but he preferred the private sector. Better pay, less bureaucracy.

He passed the open mouth of an alley, and metal rattled against metal as a garbage can was turned over. Rhys looked, but it was just a homeless woman, probably looking for food. The shelters must have been full that night. He wasn't self-conscious about ignoring her when she made a move to approach him. He wasn't the charitable type.

There was a man in an ill-fitting jacket approaching from the other side of the street. He looked jittery. The mercenary sized him up, picked up the pace to walk a bit faster. Trouble came in all sizes.