The city screamed. The streets were in utter turmoil, citizens scurrying like ants from a kicked nest. Amidst the bedlam, a thin, garishly dressed boy weaved through the sea of bodies blocking his way, tousled blonde hair dancing wildly in the wind. A panicked look back revealed the black-clad mafiosos close on his tail. With a nervous click of the tongue, he ducked, turned right, and sprinted through an alleyway.
Spectacles lost to the crowd, his vision was naught more than a hazy blur. He bumped into a body—hard—and stumbled forward, nearly falling when he turned to apologize. Steadying himself, he burst from the alleyway, and the sea's cool breeze assaulted his senses. A wide grin split his face at its salty tang and cerulean waves, blurry as they were. At long last, he had reached the docks. And, if he'd estimated correctly, he would have a few minutes to make his grand escape.
Laziel's scheme had caused him dearly, as they'd turned his legs into stones. It was preposterous, really—a delicate man such as himself running circles around an entire city. But alas, here he was. And the only path to freedom was aboard the Blood Meridian. He would have to board mere minutes before it set sail. Luckily, the sails were up.
And the drawbridge was actively rising.
"Captain! Stop! You're about to lose something very valuable!" He shouted, stumbling toward the ship, breath ragged as he waved the captain down, pleading for just a few more seconds before the drawbridge rose.
She crossed her arms, one eyebrow hitching. "And what exactly is that?"
Laziel came to a stop in front of the ship, panting heavily as he placed his hands on his knees. He raised one languid finger to the captain, indicating he'd need a moment. To his dismay, by the time he rose, her arms were still crossed. "Ah. About that. It's me! You see, I'm in quite the predicament at the moment. Some troublesome fellows are after me," as if on cue, a gunshot echoed in the distance, eliciting a cringe from Laziel.
She only averted her gaze for a moment, but it was enough for Laziel to slip past her and collapse on the deck. "Hey!" She turned, waving a hand frustratedly. "I didn't say you could board!"
Breaths still coming in rapid strokes, Laziel forced out a response, "You're law enforcement, right? Well, I'm a citizen that's being chased by mafiosos. Protect me, for Kha's sake!"
For a moment, looked like she was going to argue, but then she uncrossed her arms, eyes steady. "You're right. I apologize." A mere snap of her fingers and the boat surged forward, the drawbridge grinding against dock-wood. A rain of bullets hit the deck of the ship, and a flock of men screamed after them, but to little avail. He was free!