in the dark of night {kap}

Pine

The night became his friend for many reasons, but the main reason being nobody could see him sneaking through the shadows without a care in the world. Many people point and laugh at him, and it brings a great deal of heartache especially when people ask questions.

What happened to you?

It's none of their business, and each time someone asks him, Pine turns the other way and walks away. Most of the time, he keeps his arm hidden in the pocket so that nobody can see it. Out of sight, out of mind. It's something he's learned to cope with a loss that happened when he least expected it. At night, though, people don't look twice since he wanders through the shadows in the darkest of alleyways without a second thought. Being out late is dangerous, and Pine is at a disadvantage, but he knows how to handle himself better than others may think.

Having been in many fights, he's learned some moves, but tonight, he hopes nobody finds him. It's taken weeks of doing odd jobs to save up for what he's looking for, yet he has to find them. They come out at different times, and he hopes he hasn't missed them. It's better coming out at different times because it tricks the authorities. At least, that's what he tells himself. Being caught isn't ideal, but what are they going to do to him? It doesn't matter. It'll never matter.

Sliding through the alley, he stands near the front with both hands tucked away into his pockets trying to shield them from the crisp, winter air. The breeze is rough, it cuts straight to the bone, but Pine is always prepared. Even when the leaves rustle against the ground, or as a couple of rats scurry from one side of the alleyway to another, it doesn't bother him. It never has, in fact, the noise brings him a sense of calm, a sense of belonging because they don't care what he looks like. Animals don't judge him the way people do. It's like they've never saw someone with a disability in their life before, and it constantly brings him down.

But today, he doesn't want that to happen.

No, he's been waiting for this moment, and nobody will stand in his way.

At least, that's how he feels until he hears footsteps approaching. Instinctively, Pine crouches down behind a dumpster concealing himself as much as possible. It's way too early in the night for the group of people he's looking for to come by, and the first thing that comes to his mind is that a peacekeeper is onto him. Making sure he's completely out of the light, he listens and waits until the sound seems to go away, but he doesn't dare move. There's nothing wrong with being out on the streets at night, and if anyone asks why he's hiding behind a dumpster, he already has a plan.

People were trying to jump me, so I ran and hid.

It's a pathetic excuse, but it's one that works especially when Pine reveals he's missing a hand. Sympathy and pity are amazing things, and it doesn't matter to him if he abuses it. Sometimes it's how he gets ahead in life, and he's not afraid to use whatever he can to his advantage. Taking a deep breath, Pine peaks his head around the corner of the dumpster. It may be a mistake, but at least this will give him the chance to examine the situation and determine his best move.