We traveled quickly using the darkness of night as our camouflage. I followed her cutting through alleyways and staying as much off the streets as possible. We spotted some palace guards racing in our direction. We could not avoid being seen as we were in a very well lit part of the poor district. She saw them coming and grabbed me, pulled me close to her and began kissing me passionately. It worked the guards ran right past us. They were looking for lone assassin not a couple making out in the street.
She stopped, and pulled her head back a bit looking over her shoulder. “I think there are gone now.” She said catching her breath. “I do have to say. I rather enjoyed that.” She kissed me again then put her head down into my chest. “Sorry, I feel as if tonight is my last. Let us go we have to hurry before they come back or my husband sends more guards. The king is my husband.” Finora began leading the way again. She let out a sigh.
“I figured as much. “
We got off the street and into another alley. It went on for a few blocks and we came across a small shop that was dimly lit. She knocked and an older woman answered the door. She had a look of concern on her face.
“Finora! I heard the King has all the palace guards looking for you accusing you of treason and kidnapping of your son Alex. Are you okay my dear? Who is this young man with you?”
“I am fine. Don’t concern yourself with me. How is my son?”
“He is fine, sleeping actually.” The old lady then turned to speak to me.
“I am Nora, and who might you be.”
“I am Drek Shadow blade. I am Finora’s hired bodyguard.”
“Can he be trusted?” questioned Nora.
“Yes he saved my life. Remember Nora I do have the power to sense when a person had bad intent or if they are lying.”
“Sorry my lady I forget sometimes. Come in where it is safe. No one will ever suspect you are here.”
We entered the house that led into the kitchen. There was a bookshelf in the corner of the room. Nora unhooked some sort of latch and slid the bookcase aside revealing a staircase that went down into some sort of a basement. The basement was well lit and larger than the house itself. There was a crib in the center of the room and the infant was fast asleep. His mother looked over him and kissed him on his forehead.
“Would you either of you like something to eat or drink?” Asked Nora.
“No thank you” I replied.
“My lady?”
“I am fine. Thank you Nora. I’ll take care of everything from here. Please go upstairs and shut the door to this room.”
“Of course.”
Nora left the room and slid the bookcase back into place. Finora grabbed my arm and pulled me to a corner where there was a mattress.
“Now” she said. “You get your reward, and we finish what we started earlier.”
We then made love and after fell into a deep sleep. I had not slept that well in weeks. Never have I strayed so far from my duty. I always put my job first. I never had much time for women. But this one. There was something special about her. I was fond of her the instant I saw her. We woke early in the morning and began talking sharing our life stories. Something I had never done before. The more time I spent with her the revenge that was in my heart all but vanished.
“I have no purpose anymore.” I said.
“What do you mean.” Finora wiping her hair aside as she lay in my arms.
“The king killed all my men. They were like brothers to me. He hired us, a bunch of assassins to intercept a caravan that was supposed to be carrying illegal contraband from Moss Hill. When we stopped the caravan we found the queen instead of contraband. We were then ambushed, and the queen was killed by Kronen’s men. They then took us prisoner and forced many of us to sign confessions saying we were from the Glaceau military. One by one my men were killed after they signed the confession. They knew they were going to die if they did, but they just wanted the torture to stop.”
“you never signed one did you.”
“no, which is probably why I am still alive. I want to kill you husband for what he has done, but if you ask me to I may not.”
“My husband is not himself anymore. He is under a spell from an evil mage named Aeonious Flamechanger that wants to take over all the surrounding kingdoms and make himself emperor. The bastard wanted me to marry him after Kronen dies but I refused. So he had Kronen send guards after me to kill me. I’ve had to go into hiding along with my son.”
“I see.” I responded. “I thought Kronen was under some sort of a spell. Ever since I came here my magic has been suppressed. Normally I can sense such thing.”
“You have magic? That is so rare and odd for a man with your type of profession.”
“Yes and I was forced into this profession at a vey young age. My parents were killed just after I was born. The man that killed my parents wanted his very own magical assassin to take over the guild. When I found out about my parents at age 17 the bastard got his wish.”
“You have to let go of this revenge my dear. I know you are a good man but this hatred and revenge corrupts you, and distorts your true power.”
“How do you know this?” I asked still holding her in my arms.
“I am a mage. But the Shadow council which is led by Aeonious Flamechanger is vey powerful. They have cast a curse to dampen magic to all those around so that they can do as they please without being contested. They are all corrupt and evil. They tried to get me to join forces with them but I refused as a consequence I was put under the curse preventing me from using most of my powers.”
“Flamechanger must die then.” I said. “I don’t say that because I’m seeking revenge, but I now say that because the war must be stopped and justice must be served.”
I looked her in the eyes and caressed her check with my hand. “What have you done to me? This is not the way of the assassin. We don’t care about justice.”
“You are so much more than an assassin.” She said. “I know you are a good man and will do the right thing.”
“I have nothing out there. No family, friends, anything. All I have now is you. You are the only person that has shown me any kindness since I can remember. Ask me to do anything and I will do it.”
“I’ve never shared with anybody what I have shared with you Drek. Will you help me and my son escape this terrible place?”
“Yes. I have many connections in the Shadowlands, and a farm that my father left to me. We can live there where we will be safe. But first I must kill Flamechanger before he kills many more. Is it safe for you to stay here for a while?”
“Yes.” She said. “Do you really think you can kill Flamechanger? He is very powerful, and I worry that you will not return to me. Even if you are still successful the shadow council will still be in power and I think they will continue with the spell on Kronen.”
“And what if the spell on Kronen breaks? Will you go back to him?”
“I don’t love him. Never did. Although we respect each other there was never any love or passion in our relationship. Our marrage was an arranged political venture. He has his own love intrests anyway he even encouraged me to seek other men so as long as it would never go public. We were always friends but never lovers.”
“Wherever this path leads us I will always seek you out and desire to be with you.” I said.
“And I as well. Please be careful. Don’t let Flamechanger kill you. Return to me, and love me always.”
“I will. And I do.”
The morning was filled with the cries and moans of love making. We made love passionately like it was the last time two lovers would ever see one another.

Beau

Old Ned had a secret.
He carried it on his back.
To the ordinary folk
It looked like a sack

In Ned’s sack
He kept them alive
forever suffering
their souls inside

If you ever hear
” got a story for ya mate”
run like hell
your souls at stake

The black asphalt road began to cool as it normally would and the sun began to set in the distance.  The desert sand began to turn dark gray and the sky black.  All was quiet and normal for an Arizona night.  The main highway was about 2 miles away.  On an off-road next to a large tree and some rocks were four campers, Marley, Tom, Evan, and Mary.  They sat by the camp fire roasting marshmallows and began telling jokes and scary stories.  Laughter and chatter erupted from the camp site; everybody seemed to be having a good time.
An old man was walking toward the campers coming from the road.  He could hear their chatter and laughter.  He wore brown leather hat, boots and a long trench coat.  As he walked the ground beneath his feet froze, grass and weeds on the side of the road died and withered.  A bat that was flying overhead died instantly and fell to the ground.  The old man’s skin was pale and eyes were a light colored blue, almost gray, and his hair was long and white which could be seen under his hat.  On his back he carried an strange looking leather sack.  On close inspection this sack glowed green from the inside, and screams of a thousand suffering souls could be heard.
One of the female campers, Marley saw the old man from the corner of her eye.  She turned her head towards him and smiled.  It was clear that she had been drinking.
“Hello there mister” Marley said as she waved at the old man approaching the campfire.
The rest of the campers stopped talking and singing immediately and turned to the old man.
“Well hello there young ens.”  He responded.  “My name is Ned.  I have been walking for many miles and was wondering if you folks could spare and old man such as me a glass of water.”
“Of course” said Tom, the young man sitting next to Marley.  “We have plenty of water to spare.”
Tom then poured Ned some water from his canteen that was lying on the ground into a plastic cup that was handed to him by Evan.
“Here ya go” Tom said as handing Ned the cup of water.
“Thanks a bunch.”
“Have a seat.”  Mary spoke as she dusted off a stump that was next to the fire.  She then sat back down and leaned up against Evan and grabbed his hand making it obvious they were a couple.
“For giving me this glass of water I would like to pay you back by telling you young folks a story, but first I don’t think you told me your names.”
Marley spoke up. “Of course how rude of us.  My name is Marley.  This is my husband Tom.”  She then held Toms hand.  “And these are our good friends Mary and Evan.”
“Well nice to meet ya”  Ned had a horse voice.  “Would you like to hear the story?”
“Of course.” Evan suggested.  “We love stories.”
“Well then I’ll get right to it, but it’s a scary one so be prepared.”  Ned grinned and laughed in an evil way.
The rest of the campers burst out in laughter.
Ned then got a serious look on his face and leaned towards the fire.  The others quieted down and leaned in as well giving Ned their full attention.  He then spoke.
“There was once a preacher who lived by the good book.  He was a good lad did everything right.  Never stole, never lied, never did anything wrong.  He had the most beautiful wife, and he loved her very much.  They had eight children.  One day while out to get groceries his wife was killed in a car wreck by a drunk driver.  The preacher became very depressed and angry over the loss of his wife.  People say he went mad.  He locked the family in the house, and would not let them leave.  He began taking the good book very seriously and began living by its rules word for word.  The preacher one day took up a shotgun and killed the driver that was responsible for his wife’s death.  When the police showed up at his house to arrest him the preacher was waiting for them on his porch.  That day he gunned down 12 police officers before they were able to kill him.  Legend has that after the preacher was shot dozens of times he walked back into his house, and the body was never found.  He was filled with such hatred and anger he could not be killed by conventional means.  After that anybody that entered the house was never to be found.  Their souls were sucked into the walls.”
The campers were engrossed in Ned’s story.  Their eyes became affixed onto his eyes.  It as if they had come under some sort of trance or spell.  Their faces were expressionless.  Ned reached over his shoulder and placed the leather sack in front of him on the ground.  He began to untie the string that kept it closed.  He then peered back into the campers eyes.
“Now just as they were sucked into the house.  Yur souls will get into my sack.”
Ned opened the sack and the green light lit up the sky, and you could hear the screams from the souls trapped inside.  Mary was the first to go.  She tried to fight and look away, but a large black arm reached out from the sack and pulled her soul forcefully from her body.  Her body fell limp to the ground.  Evan had less of a will barely got out a scream before he was pulled in.  Tom on the other hand almost broke from Ned’s trance but Ned stood up and extended his hands towards Tom and said.  “Nice try boy, but I’m too strong for you.”  Tom realized his efforts were futile as he was being pulled into the sack.  He came to the realization that if he could not save himself he would save Marley.  He reached out with his arm and slapped Marley on the shoulder.  This worked.  Marley broke the trance like she had just woken up from a horrible nightmare.  She screamed as Tom lay at her feet dead.  Before Ned could get a grip on her she ran as hard and as fast as she could.  Ned would not give chase.  He was worn out from all the soul pulling he had just done.  For now he would have to retreat back into the darkness from which he came.
“I got my food for tonight.”  Ned said looking in Marley’s direction while trying to catch his breath.  “I’ll rest now.  Perhaps I’ll finish telling you the story tomorrow night.  If the desert does not get yer first.”  Ned then broke out into evil laughter.

______________________

Beau Gauthreaux

Writing blog: http://fictionspot.net

Art blog: http://rhyminggoat.com

Written by Beau Gauthreaux

The afternoon was somber, hazy and warm. I woke up to a cat licking my face, and had been asleep for several hours on the ground in an abandoned alleyway. Using my magic earlier against the systemic affects of the crippleweed had an adverse affect making me weak and tired, so I decided to sleep. Everybody that walked by dismissed me as homeless and continued on their way. My cloak covered up my face and gear so as to not raise any suspicion. After pulling myself together I walked a few blocks in the poor district where Kronen’s guards would be reluctant to search for me, and checked into an inn. I bought food and water with the gold that I lifted from the Bishop earlier; then washed up, and ate. The crippleweed was still affecting my system but it was finally wearing off. The poor district was all but well lit under the pale moonlight. There was a cat howling just outside my window. To not raise any suspicion I decided to go out through the window so the innkeeper would think that I was still in my room. The palace was well lit far off into the distance, and was not well guarded so taking out the king may be easier than I thought. I made my way through roof tops and climbing railings. Traveling on the street would make me be spotted too easily. Jumping from roof top to roof top was effortless for me. I used my magic to make my jumps further, my running faster. This was me at my best. I would make no noise and blend myself in with the dark grey sky. Nobody would ever see me. I became the shadows. I became wind. I was a messenger and the letter was death.

Running my blade through king Kronen was the only thing that occupied my mind. I was filled with thoughts of revenge, hate, and sorrow for my fallen friends which Kronen was responsible for. Not to mention that Kronen was trying to orchestrate a war and he would be successful if I didn’t stop him in time.

I was approaching the palace very fast when I heard her cries. Normally I would not interfere with other criminal activities especially when doing so would be a distraction from my main objective, but when I saw her, I had to stop. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. I was never distracted with my work nor had I ever made a mistake, but when I saw her face I nearly missed the edge of an approaching building. I stopped dead in my tracks. She was being held to the ground by two thugs, and a third that was taking his clothes off. I could not let this happen. She did not belong in this part of town. The now half naked boss thug ripped off her cloak. She was wearing a very elegant gown with a purple sash around her waist indicating that she was of nobility. Her hair was long golden brown down to her waist.

“Well now, somebody important aren’t we?” Said the boss. “I was supposed to kill you but instead I and going to hold you for ransom. I should be able to get a nice sum of money in exchange for you pretty girl, but first I’m going to have some fun with you.”

“Stay away from me, and let me go or I’ll have you all arrested” Protested the beautiful woman as she was kicking, and struggling to move.

All the thugs burst out in loud boisterous laughter at her comment. That was my queue; if I was going to help I had better react at that moment. Their laughter was loud enough to cover up the sounds of my movement. I was three stories over them, but the street was narrow. With cat like movement and reflexes I leaped from the rooftop to the railing of a balcony on the second floor of the building across the street. I drew my blade and descended on top of the boss thug. I drive my blade through the back of his head and he fell lifeless to the ground. On of his companions tried to unsheathe his sword but I had thrown a knife that landed dead center into his chest and another that landed in his throat that he may not make a sound. The other thug ran away in terror. I was always reluctant to kill a man that was running from me with his back turned.

I looked down at her and it seemed as though my heart skipped a beat. She was even more beautiful close up. “What have I gotten myself into” I thought.

“Are you here to kill me?” She asked. “You are an assassin are you not? And you seem to be a very crafty one.”

“Not going to kill you.” I replied. “I just could not stand to see those men harm such a beautiful women.”

She then began to blush. “Thank you. I don’t know what to say. You saved my life.”

I offered her my hand to help her up to her feet.

“What are you doing here?” I asked. “You don’t belong in this part of town, and considering the clothes and mark of nobility you should have a bodyguard with you.”

“Thanks for the lecture but I think I can handle myself.” She was a bit annoyed at my last comment. She then took in a deep breath. “I am sorry. I’m not having a good day.” I could see that suddenly a look of sadness had overcome her face and a tear began to form in her eye. “My life is in danger weather or not I am here, more so If I go back to the palace. My husband has gone insane and wants me dead. I know you are probably on your way to kill somebody and are busy, but could you please help me. I know of a place that we both could be safe for the night. I could get you food, drink and gold for you troubles.”

The Palace I thought. Maybe she could give me information that would be helpful with my mission. Not to mention I do enjoy her company. She then began caressing my hand.

“I know you will. You don’t have to say anything. I know a good man when I see one.”

She then pulled herself close to me and gently kissed me on my lips.

“Thank you” she said. “You won’t regret helping me. I will make it worth your while.”

I instructed her to put her cloak back on so that she may not be spotted. We then took off into the night seeking the safe house. The king’s death would have to wait another night, because tonight I was going to live good.

Beyond the Great Red Desert of Zethon, which separated humans from the barbaric trolls and goblins, lay the lush green forests that contained the human kingdoms.  For many years these kingdoms had peace, but Kronen, the king of Silverhill, became corrupt and sought power and magic beyond his understanding.  His exploits and ambitions caused much tension between the kingdoms of Silverhill and Glaceau, and the kingdom of Mossalley was caught in the middle. Though a great ally and friend to Kronen, the queen of Mossalley was reluctant to go to war.  Kronen, however, was desperate, greedy, and willing to do just about anything to instigate a war.  Somehow, it seemed that the king was not quite himself.  He began making mistakes and doing foolish things, almost as if he was under some sort of a spell.

Times were getting desperate.  The supply lines to the Assassins Guild were cut off by local authorities.  They did not take kindly to us.  I was on a mission with 13 other assassins.  I was not only their leader but I was the leader of the Guild itself.  We travelled a good way from the Shadowlands to Kronen, but the job was a high paid one.
It was simple; Intercept a caravan carrying opium from the kingdom of Mossalley passing through King Kronen’s kingdom, Silver Hill. I never liked this King but a job was a job, and this one paid very well since it was escorted by military instead of hired thugs.  I was suspicious and did not believe a word this king was telling me but the pay was just too good.  How insane I thought this king must be to attack one of his own Allies’ military.  I made him sign the magical contract as required by the guild to protect us from a curse that was cast on the Assassins’ Guild long ago by powerful sorcerers to regulate and tax our work.  The curse would not allow us to vanish into the shadows.  Once the client signed the contract sorcerers from far away would either reject or approve our work.  If it was approved the curse would be lifted for the duration of the contract.  The king’s contract was approved, and I gathered my brothers to begin preparations.
As the 14 of us prepared in the forest we mixed potions, poisons, and meditated.  Meditation always helps to get one focused and blend in the shadows better.  My 13 brothers relied heavily on the potions to make themselves vanish so it took more time to prepare.  It only lasted 30-40 minutes for them.  They had no magic.  I only needed enhancement potions. My powers, or my brothers’ use of potions, allowed us to slip into a sort of non colored mist-world.  Yet the impressions and visual representations from the real world could still be seen by us.  Any interaction with an object or person in the real world would cause our stealth to go away, so most of the time it was a one shot deal.  We used special dyes that we put on our clothing so we could see one another while we were in stealth, and used special hand signals to communicate.
The had come.  I heard the caravan coming as I peaked around the tree I could see one of the military guard’s head.  I motioned my brethren to silence themselves and drink their potions.  I drank mine.  It tasted very bitter and burned as it went down.  We then slipped into stealth and made our way across the road.  We positioned ourselves around a large tree that we had cut down earlier to block the path and force the caravan to stop.  However I did notice that what was before us was not a buggy that carried cargo but a carriage that normally would carry people.
“A job is a Job”  I thought to myself.  “Now focus.”
Two guards on horse back in front of the carriage, two other guards riding on the front seat on top of the carriage, two on horse back on each side and two behind making a total of eight guards that are seen, and possibly two or three riding inside the carriage.  Too easy.
As soon as the caravan stopped I began making the signals to my men as to which target to take out.  Myself and my 2nd, Jacob would take the pilot and rider in the seat.  We were all well trained we knew how to deal with situations such as this, and deal with it easily.  I took a deep breath and gave the go signal.  I sprinted right up to the front of the carriage and leaped into the air as I landed feet first onto the seat I brought my blade down into the chest of the rider.  Jacob was off a bit and instead of landing on the seat landed on the driver.  He quickly recovered however and dealt with the driver before he could recover and draw his sword.  All was going very well and happening very quickly.  Only one of my men took wounds as he was not so successful taking a rider off his horses but his brothers quickly came to his aid.  One man emerged from the carriage, and drew his sword.  He looked a bit important and high ranking.  I decided that I should deal with him and called my men off.  He made a flurry of attacks at me all of which I dodged.  He then tried a lunging attack leaving himself open.  I parried his blow then grabbed his arm and tossed him using a hip throw.  As he tried to regain his footing and stand up I struck him on top of the head sharply with the handle of my knife knocking him unconscious.  I didn’t want to kill this man as I was interested in what he had to say.  It was over. Now time to check the cargo.  Part of the deal was that we get to keep it.
I opened the door and to my surprise there was no cargo but the queen of Moss Hill.  Not good. Not good. She was wearing A long yellow dress pale skin and was curled up in the corner trying to avoid me.
“Don’t hurt me” she cried.
“What is going on here?”  I spoke in bewilderment.
That is when I heard the bolts flying through the air and the cries of my brothers being wounded.  It was an ambush.  I didn’t have time to react before I turned around I felt a sharp horrible pain in my back.  One had struck me, and it was poisoned with crippleweed.  My joints and muscles began to freeze up.  I tried to bring myself to stealth but failed because I was weakened too much.  I fell to the ground then looked up only to see several of my men being slaughtered.  I heard the queen scream and saw one of King Kronen’s men slit her throat with one of our own weapons.  So this was it.  Blackmail.  Then everything went dark.
I awoke, with my head hurting badly.  Felt like I was hit with a mallet inside my brain.   One of my brothers was tending to my wounds, and I noticed that we were locked up in a cell.  I could still fell the crippleweed coursing through my veins.
“They keep some crippleweed in our drink” he said.  “Just enough to keep us from fighting back.  It’s like the bastards know what will stop us, like they had somebody from the inside of our guild.  I suppose the crippleweed will keep you from using your powers?”
“It will”  I said.
“That’s too bad I was looking forward to killing some of these idiots. They killed Jacob and Meredith.  They have been torturing everybody else to get false confessions out of them saying that they are soldiers of Glaceau Hill ordered to kill the queen.  They even put uniforms of Glaceau Hill’s military on some of our fallen brothers at the scene of the crime.  The king will now have his war if he pulls this off.”
“So that is what this is about”  I sighed in disappointment.  “He betrayed us and Killed the queen of Mossy Hill so he could orchestrate a war.  Mark my words.  I will not let him get away with this.”
For weeks I watched my brothers get tortured and die.  Some would sign false confessions with the promise that they would stop the torture, but as soon as they signed the confession they were killed.  I was tortured as well, but I never gave in or signed anything.  I simply waited it all out to find my opportunity to strike back.  That opportunity came in the form of another assassination the king desperately needed done.  Since I was the only one left alive they nursed me back to health so that I may for-fill my new assignment.  To kill the Powerful Bishop of Silver Hill that was preaching peace and causing the king to loose a lot of favor with his subjects.  It was always tradition and a requirement to sign a magical contract with the Assassins Guild before an assassination could take place.  Although the king was reluctant to sign the contract he was more desperate than anything else.  He also seemed to be under some sort of sickness or spell.  I guess he figured after the job was done he would kill me and destroy the contract.  They kept the crippleweed in my system so that my use of magic was limited.  They would only release me at the last possible second to for-fill my job duties.  I prepared, and when the time came to kill the Bishop I would make my move, but tonight I rest and meditate.

The following morning I was released and given my gear and tools of death.  I made my way to the cathedral.  As I approached I pulled the cloak I was wearing over my head and limped like and old man.  There were two guards standing outside the door.  They were not threatened by my presence but were not going to let me in.  I easily dispatched of them and quickly pulled their bodies behind a set of bushes to hide them.  I stealthily made  my way through the cathedral, hiding in the shadows.  I had to stop for a moment and take refuge behind a large podium to sharpen my blades; I spotted my target.  He was kneeling in front of some sort of an altar.  The bishop was an old man wearing a white cloak decorated with purple and golden abstract marks.  I’m sure they meant something to him, but they meant nothing to me.  One more guard was standing six feet behind him.  He was flanked by two other priests.

I crept down beside one of the pews, positioning myself just a few feet from the guard and staying hidden.  He passed his eyes over where I was crouching but never saw me.  I reached out with my mind and projected myself standing on the other side of him.  (This takes much focus, concentration, and the use of magic.)  As I materialized, I tapped him on the shoulder.  He turned around and saw nothing.  In an instant, I sprung forward and ran my blade through his rib cage and into his heart.  The only sound that the priests heard was the body thudding on the floor, but I was already flying through the air making my next move. I hurled my other blade and hit one of the priests square in the forehead with the handle.  He stumbled back, grabbed his forehead, stunned and in excruciating pain, and was useless for several seconds.  My knife fell to the floor.  The priest on the left turned around, startled, and I crashed my knee into his sternum, knocking the wind out of him. As I bounced off the priest, I grabbed the shocked bishop around the neck and kicked my knife from the floor up into my hand.   I pressed the blade close to the bishop’s throat.
“Wha.. what do you want?”  Asked the bishop in desperation.
“Not to worry” I said.  “I’m not going to kill you today.  Lucky for you, I’m seeking justice for my fallen brothers.  You see, if you look in your pocket now, you’ll find a contract written by your king, hiring me to kill you in exchange for my freedom.”

“What do you want me to do?  The king wants me dead because I preach peace.”  He gasped under my grip.
“I want you to make this public and expose your king for what he is.  The contract in your pocket should be enough to stop his war and reduce his power.”
“What is to say he won’t send somebody else?”
“Before night falls he will be dead for his betrayal.  Now make haste, and show that contract to everybody you can.”
As I released my grip, he turned around and looked at me. Then he reached into his pocket, unfolded the contract, and looked down at it for a moment. He looked up at me again, but I had vanished.  The shadows are my friends.

Illustration by Charlie Harper http://charlieharper.net/