"Well this is something new, Switch. Since when did we start gettin' tourists?"
"First time I've ever seen anyone just sitting around in our territory, Fix. What could they be doing here?"
Fix shook his head. "No idea. Maybe lost, maybe just stupid. Who knows? I've gotta go get Sis, or Granny's gonna tan my hide. See you and the guys after everyone's asleep."
Switch nodded. He kept watching the lone traveler long after his friend had left. The figure didn't move. It was impossible to tell from the back if the person was male or female, young or old.
This wasn't a homeless person. The clothes and black and neon green backpack were too clean. And they certainly didn't live in the area. "Why would anyone willingly come here, and just sit? They're not even watching out for danger!"
Finally curiosity got the better of Switch. He walked around the building, and approached from the sidewalk. He could see that the stranger was a middle aged man, not very fit, and deep in thought.
He stopped several feet away, and still the man wasn't aware of him. "I've never seen anything like it," he thought.
Switch put on his brass knuckles, and adjusted the collar of his Metalhead T-shirt to expose the skull tattoo on his throat. Then he scuffed a foot on the sidewalk.
After several more noises, the man finally looked up. He smiled. "Hello young man. I've been waiting here for quite some time. Might there be a restaurant or coffee shop nearby, where I can get a cup of coffee?"
Switch's jaw dropped. "Mister, do you know where you are? This is the most dangerous spot you'll ever find yourself in."
The man calmly took in Switch's appearance. "Well it's good that you came along then. I really shouldn't be alone out here, should I?"
Unsure of what to think about the apparently fearless traveler, curiosity overcame his desire to intimidate. "What are you doing here? This is Cbra territory."
The man's bushy eyebrows went up. "Oh, I thought this was Vanmiser Street."
Switch sighed. "It is, and it's part of Cbra territory. Cbra are the most dangerous gang in these parts."
The stranger smiled again, but this time he looked sad. "Oh, I don't like it when young people kill each other. Such a waste."
Switch tapped his foot, and looked around. It was a bright, sunny day. But not for much longer, night fell quickly in the fall. "Look. I'm leader of the Cbra, but I don't have time to babysit. You need to get out of here, now. Once it's dark you won't have a chance."
The man shook his head. "I can't leave, not until after my appointment."
Switch glared. "Who do you think you are? I'm telling you, you can't stay here. Is this appointment worth your life? Reschedule it, if you ever want to meet whoever you're supposed to see. And do it elsewhere."
The stranger folded his hands in his lap. "I'm Mike, and this appointment is worth a life. My decision is made, I'm staying right here."
Switch walked away. "I tried, I really did. I didn't hurt him, I tried to help him get out of here alive. I'll tell the guys not to hurt him, but they'll probably find him before I do."
He walked to the corner, then looked back. The stranger - no, Mike - was slumped over again, just as he had been before.
Switch crossed the road. He looked back again. After he turned around, he saw an empty beer can in the middle of the sidewalk. He sent it sailing, all the way to the next corner.
"What's wrong with me? Am I going soft or something? I actually care what happens to that fool."
Switch sighed, and made his way back to Mike.
The man looked up, and beamed. "I'm so glad you decided to keep me company."
Switch scowled. "Whoever you're supposed to see better get here soon. And if you know what's good for you, the both of you will leave here quick."
Mike nodded. "My appointment is very soon, David. Then I'll be out of your hair."
Switch's eyes widened, and he took a step back into the alley behind the stranger. "What did you call me? Nobody's used that name since Mom..."
A second later Mike stood, his back turned to Switch. He raised his arm, palm out like a crossing guard.
A car stopped directly in front of him, music blaring. On the side in red spray paint were the letters MAK.
Switch dropped and rolled towards the only shelter available, a discarded street sign. He used the small piece of metal to shield his chest, trying to ignore the bullet holes in it. "Get down, you fool! Now!"
Mike didn't move, and for a second neither did anyone else. Then the world exploded with noise.
Bits of light pinged away from Mike. But none reached him, or managed to pass him.
The gunshots stopped, and levers clicked. Then another volley erupted, only to be harmlessly deflected.
"Something's not right, Reaper. That guy's like not human, we better split.."
Tires screeched, then there was silence.
Still holding the road sign, Switch carefully approached Mike. "I don't know what you just did, but thank you. You saved my life."
The stranger lowered his arm, turned, and smiled. "Just as you tried to save mine. Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you."
A loud crash of metal made Switch whirl back towards the alley, just in time to see a big orange tomcat run off with something.
"I guess I'm a little jumpy after everything," he admitted with a nervous laugh.
When he turned around, the man was gone. He hurried towards the road, shouting. "Hey, wait a minute. I'll stay with you until your appointment. Me and the guys can give you a ride afterwards, to somewhere safe."
But the man and his belongings were gone, as if they had never existed.
The end
Describe what you see:
I see a person with a backpack and a bag. He or she is slumped over, perhaps thinking about something, or feeling sad. There is also some street art or graffiti in the picture.
Describe what you feel:
I feel like this person might be traveling. Maybe they're not exactly happy with the current location.
