It was one of the early hours of the day, nighttime dewiness still trying to stick to buildings and concrete. A pretty average looking urban neighborhood: garbage bins properly positioned, stoops made of some ancient, friendly city-stone.

The peace was disrupted as a thief crashed down the street.

Running haphazardly, he hugged his stolen prize to his chest. In his fear he hurtled right over a step, letting out a panicked sob.

"Oh my God. Please calm down."

Picking himself up, he shot a glance backwards and saw no one. He gulped; no one was always much worse. From the top of a nearby building, a lone figure reluctantly smiled.

"Really though," the voice came again, as his pursuer seemed to leap down to the sidewalk level. "I'm sorry it has to be like this. I know it sucks. But on the other hand, you really should have known not to get involved."

He stared, dumbstruck, like a frightened rodent. He had forgotten how charming she was, but he was also remembering what he had seen her do. Stumbling upwards and down an alleyway, he began to run again.

The pursuer sighed. "Charles--" She was almost out of energy too. Time for Plan B...despite how much she kind of wished she didn't need it.

He rounded a corner, and couldn't help but feel a little calmer. Sure, he didn't hear or see her anywhere, but for some reason figured that if she was going to strike she would have done it sooner. Catching his breath, he collapsed next to a dumpster. He could see the first few rays of golden light shining through the bars of an old fire escape. His mood perked up a little.

Charles zoned out and stared into the shadows, pondering his next course of action: he had gotten away for now, but that was just now. As soon as he could he needed to get on the Blue Train and get this stolen piece of incrimination away from his life.

Then he saw something in his periphery shift. He re-focused, but was then utterly paralyzed. Fuck. He had critically misread the situation.

A pair of round eyes grinned at him from the darkness, and a slant of jarred light illuminated a jagged smile. He heard a smaller, more concentrated voice.

"Seems that you haven't escaped me yet."