The Darkness that Lurks

She wandered slowly in the moody alley. Each light from the lamp posts and the harsh skyline blinded her. Attempting to revealing her stolen rags of clothing now covering her mouth and chest, hardly hiding herself amongst the rain which ignored her pleas for clemency. Instead inflicting pain, crawling and itching her skin upon her now infected wound, piercing every movement constantly from every step in the shadows as her rags swayed and clung onto her skin. Seemingly making her look more like a crazed gangster. Just like the posters which now depicted her. It was a struggle attempting to find any resources. Each item seemingly used to it's fullest. Damp and bitter from what little remained. Not even useful for anyone that came to mind. She could only think about Sergio. Hardly the women she once was, constantly inching closer to the hungry scythe thirsty for a meal. She could hardly breathe properly. Wheezing and gasping red constantly in the dimly lit area where little remained. Her skin paler than most days with her eyes in a daze, fluttering amongst her cracked lips which constantly oozed bright red. Hardly able to talk yet haunting to look at. Slowly driving her mad at her constantly terrible decisions. Was she the toxic one?

She frantically looked around, hiding through the garbage filled alleyways of what was once a peaceful city. Filled with broken cars and rusting bicycles the poor had to use. Ever since the riots began, everywhere was unsafe. Smoke billowed out what was once big shops with happy tenants amongst overturned cars that whaled and cried. Beaten up to a pulp over something it had never done. The riot squad unwavering. Pounding the cracked pavement amongst the cries and anger of the citizens who scrambled away, running back to the comforting arms of darkness. Helpless to their predicament as they watched the weak and the injured lay by the ground, unable to escape and screaming for help. Only to never to be seen again despite their retort and disappointment. She doesn't know what seemed to be happening, her brain hurt enough to not even know the time. Only able to be horrified at the overreaction amongst the weak governance and political squabbles as she scrambled quickly for safety. Using the fires that popped and crackled to hide her every move.

Her friends were barely heard from that day. Not even a mention of their names in what little remained of the dirty and crumpled papers. Just simple advertisements of food products that seemed questionable based off their looks and their weird slogans of 'boosting physical strength' along with bodyguard protection services from organisations that seemed hardly reliable and filled with pricey fees that could hardly be compensated by their ability. Although she could possibly be surprised. She looks at the large dark silhouette of the large circular building, wishing if she could simply ask one word.

"Why?"

Her heart crumpling at their cold heart. Something every normal person had felt themselves. Was she the reason why they were rioting?

In front of her, a bright pink neon hue emerged, glimmering amongst the dirty puddles. muddling the windows of sordid shadows that playfully toyed with the men and women that entered amongst their painful screeching moans. Hoping they could feel themselves again in the city of dystopia. She could hardly look, unable to feel morally happy for their desperate actions which plundered themselves into such a plight. Ignoring their presence as she wistfully wandered on. Watching the questionable drunken men look at her with curiosity and fear. Scampering away as they saw her face, still hardly sober and slowly limping themselves amongst the cold barren floor. Unwelcoming of her presence.

She carefully watched, spotting a man wandering from what seemed like an underground basement. It's lights shut amongst the dusty shadows of medical equipment. His hands tight and gruff, filled with thin strands of hair that hardly fought the stormy weather amongst his dry shirt made damp by the strong winds, attempting to grab the umbrella and a toolkit as he heads towards what seemed like a rusty SUV, creaking and peeling it's own faded blue paint off. Hardly fit to continue being on the road amongst the sleek, foggy and fat long headlamps that covered the front of the car amongst it's ridiculous grill, looking upon her newfound presence, flustered. Her sense of direction had not failed her for once. Perfect.

"If it isn't an illegal doctor."

She hardly wanted to ask them for help. Their skills questionable at best. Completely unrecognised by medical experts and the people, fearful for the after effects they may produce. But as a fugitive who had her valuables taken away and her privileges revoked, it was a blessing to have amongst the poor and the targeted. Providing medical fees at amazingly cheap prices unlike those found in the hospitals. Although as she approached the man, she could only wonder if he would even be willing or skilled at all unlike the others in the past 3 days.

"Sir... can we have a moment?"

He jumped at her presence, stumbling back. His fingers slipping amongst the grip of his dark red umbrella, barely holding on under the breeze as it's owner looked at her. Amongst her messy hair which trembled in the cold, she was still clearly visible in the darkness. She couldn't tell if her spying skills as a detective had failed or because of the distinct posters. But nevertheless, he seemed frightened. Too frozen to talk about her appearance in his attempt to get into his car.

"E-Energy Breaker.... W-W-Why..."

He gulped, his footing unsteady. Praying for leniency amongst his loud gasp that became a murmur, covered by her hand forcefully as she pushed him and his items into the vehicle. Hopping into the backseat and closing the umbrella as the creak of the door is silenced by the echoes of splatters of rain. Thundering onto the roof upon an eerie silence.

"I'm going to need your help. But you must keep your mouth shut first."

She peered at the terrified man, nodding violently at her request as he starts up the quiet car. Whirling loudly amongst it's dusty fans clogged beneath. Deafening the scenery and awakening the man seemingly from his state of shock, stiffly turning around silently to meet her gaze once again, still hiding amongst her mask which reeked inside the purified car. Hardly something the man liked, quickly covering his nose as he stuttered,

"But... what do you want me to treat?... I can't simply... be treating based off the tools I carried with me... Explain... "

She looked at the man and sighed, glad at his request for their treatment despite his fear of her. Seemingly frightened by the constant rambles of her 'work' that steered the other illicit men and women in the wrong direction. Although as he continued to looked at her, she could only feel even more pressured. Hardly fearing her presence as she felt her legs grind upon the now sticky leather seat as she quietly responded, slowly clearing her mind.

"Other than my friends having infected wounds... One of them is constantly coughing out blood and is struggling to breathe."

He could only looked on, beginning to calm in the cold dusty cabin, tense from every movement in the back seat. His eyes nothing like the terrified man she just saw. Only seeing a calm and calculative man that for once understood where she came from.

"Ok... If I'm going to treat such a person... I need to grab my equipment... Such injuries are considered hard to deal with..." He tries to give out a comforting wink, smiling back at such a request from the infamous woman despite his well suppressed emotions as he continued, "You know... You should be glad I was once a doctor... Otherwise you may be screwed... Just wait here alright?"

She laid in the car, silently watching the man leave to get his items in haste. His fear well hidden amongst the stormy clouds which stirred heavily. Sparking light in the dark abyss upon her face. Her sweat flowing through the grime, staining his quiet car which attempted to get the heater on full blast amongst her shivers and jitters. She bit her lips. Only able to hope for a chance of a breakthrough. Hoping that he could save her when others failed since they came ashore.

"Stay with me... I'm coming..."