Never trust a survivor until you know what they did to survive. What a crazy thing to say or even think!

At least those were the words that filled my mind as I walked down the dark alleyway. Another set of footsteps that belonged to my new friend walked to my side. His soaked boots made a loud squishy noice every time they came in contact with the pavement below.

The moon was out along with the criminals and gangs that ran this town. It was a dangerous place to live, no matter who you were.

I turned my head to the man beside me. As much as I tried to resist, my eyes were pulled to the blood that covered the man’s beard and hands. His clothes were stained and his eyes locked forward like a vindictive pit bull.

I thought I was doing the right thing when I invited him to tag along with me. Maybe we could protect each other? No, that wasn’t true and I knew it. A few hours ago I’d seen this man rushing out of a building, a dripping knife tightly gripped in his hand. The first thing I noticed were the bodies that followed but before I could react, he was in front of me.

It was almost like I could feel his warm, staggering breath slowly make its way down my spine, sending a shiver throughout my petrified body. Then he spoke to me.

“Why hello there!”

That was it. No threat. No explanation. Just a friendly welcome. And now we both walk through the same dreary alleyway, that same feeling crawling down my back once again.