• As he ran through the alleys, his eyes darted around, searching for a way out. The small, portly man wheezed as he stopped, and looked around quickly. He looked down at a small bundle and checked on the heavily wrapped thing, making sure it was still there and safe. He looked around again and dashed off down another alleyway. He heard running on the rooftops and ducked into a doorway, hoping to remain hidden. His hopes were crushed as a figure dressed in black dropped down from the old worn roofs. The strange man raised a gloved fist in the air and in minutes others like him had gathered. They formed a half moon around the small man and other than that, did not move at all. The first man stepped forward and held out a hand, gesturing for the one cowering in the doorway to hand over the object he held.
    "No I wont! Its mine! I found it!" The little man wheezed, shrinking back against the door, eyes wide in fear.
    The man in black lowered his hand and shook his head sadly. "Do you even know what that is that you are holding? What you are planning to break and sell?"
    The other shrank back and clutched the thing tighter to his chest. "A jewel that shall end my family's poverty, and rid us of our debts!" He replied shrilly.
    Another man stepped forward and without any hesitation, backhanded him. "You fool! That is no mere jewel but a soul!" He said, hissing with anger as he raised his hand to strike again.
    Faster than anyone could follow the leader slammed the other into the wall and pinned his hand to the wall with a small dagger. The other ceased to struggle or make any sounds at all.
    The leader turned his attention back to the terrified man still cowering in the doorway. He held out his hand again and asked calmly. "Will you give me the soul or will we have to take it by force?" He smiled as the other began to unwrap the object.
    As the final layers were removed, a shining orb of swirling blue and white light. The leader reached for it, but he never touched it. As his hand passed through it, the smaller man began laughing, and looked up with piercing red eyes.