I walk alone.
Always have, always will. There is a comfort in the solitude that others cannot comprehend. Their chatter, their noise, their constant need for companionship. It grates on my nerves, like nails on a chalkboard. But not me. I thrive in the silence, in the darkness of my own thoughts. They call me a loner, an outcast. But I revel in it.
Tonight, as I tread the desolate streets of the city, a cold wind whips through the narrow alleyways, creating an eerie symphony of creaking lampposts and rustling trash cans. I inhale deeply, savoring the scent of decay and forgotten dreams. This is where I belong. Among the shadows.
A scream pierces the night, cutting through the silence like a knife. My heart quickens with excitement as I follow the sound, the adrenaline coursing through my veins. There is someone out there who needs help. Or maybe they don’t. Maybe it’s just another poor soul who has fallen victim to the horrors lurking in this city.
I turn a corner and come face to face with a scene straight out of a nightmare. A twisted figure looms over a young woman, his eyes gleaming with malevolence. The girl’s eyes widen with fear as she struggles against his grip. But I know I have to act fast.
I slip silently behind the man, my footsteps ghostlike against the pavement. With a swift motion, I snatch the girl away from him, pulling her into my protective embrace. She trembles against me, her tears staining my shirt. But there is no time to console her. The man turns toward us, his face contorted with rage.
As he lunges at me, I sidestep his attack with practiced ease. The years of solitude have sharpened my reflexes, honed my instincts. I strike back, a well-aimed punch to his gut. He doubles over in pain, gasping for air. With a swift kick, I send him sprawling to the ground. The girl watches in awe, her fear slowly transforming into gratitude.
“Who are you?” she whispers, her voice trembling.
“Someone who walks alone,” I reply cryptically, my eyes scanning the dark alley for any signs of further danger. But the man lies motionless on the ground, defeated and broken.
The girl clings to my arm as we make our way back to the safety of the main road. She tells me her name is Sarah, that she had been walking home from work when the man had attacked her. I listen intently, turning over the details in my mind. This city is no place for the innocent, and I have made it my mission to protect those who cannot protect themselves.
Over the following weeks, Sarah becomes a familiar presence in my life. She seeks solace in my company, a refuge from the horrors that haunt her dreams. We walk together through the decaying streets, our footsteps echoing against the dilapidated buildings. But I know that our time together is limited.
One night, as we stand on a rooftop overlooking the city, Sarah’s eyes filled with a mix of longing and sadness, she asks me why I choose to walk alone. I gaze out at the neon-lit skyline, the flickering lights casting an otherworldly glow.
“I walk alone because it is when I feel most alive,” I admit finally. “It is where I find purpose and meaning. In this city, darkness and despair reign supreme. And it is up to people like me to bring a glimmer of hope.”
A sudden realization dawns on me. Sarah, with her gentle spirit and fierce determination, could be my partner in this lonely crusade. Together, we could fight the terrors that lurk in the shadows, protect those who cannot protect themselves.
But fate has other plans.
As we descend into the heart of the city, our footsteps echoing through the deserted streets, an unholy scream splits the air. We run towards the sound, our hearts pounding in sync. What we find is beyond our worst nightmares.
A creature, neither man nor beast, hovers over a lifeless body. Its eyes glow with an unearthly light, its claws dripping with blood. We freeze, our breath caught in our throats. But it is too late. The creature turns its attention towards us, and in that moment, all hope seems lost.
But I refuse to give in. I refuse to let darkness triumph over light. With a surge of determination, I charge at the creature, my fists flying. Sarah follows suit, her eyes ablaze with a newfound strength.
Together, we fight.
The battle is fierce and brutal. Each swing, each kick is a small victory against the encroaching darkness. Blood stains our clothes, cuts and bruises mar our skin. But we press on, driven by an unyielding resolve.
Finally, as dawn breaks on the horizon, the creature lies defeated at our feet. We stand panting, covered in sweat and debris. The city seems to hold its breath, as if waiting for our next move.
Sarah looks at me, her eyes filled with pride and awe. Without a word, we understand what must be done. This city needs us, needs people like us – thieves of the night who steal away its horrors and replace them with flickers of hope.
And so, hand in hand, we walk alone into the sunrise, ready to face whatever horrors may come our way. For we are not just thieves of the night; we are also protectors of the innocent, warriors against the darkness that threatens to consume this city.
As we fade into the distance, our silhouettes merging with the landscape, the city breathes a sigh of relief. It knows that it is not alone. That it has us – the thieves who walk alone.
Author: Opney. Illustrator: Stab. Publisher: Cyber.
