"Aghhh.. How can I continue like this..?" the young man exclaimed, spinning his chair whilst peering at the piles of homework on his desk that he'd yet to complete. Lorian was only in his first year of university as an aspiring physicist, well, "aspiring" it was a goal not of his own but implanted by his parents.
Sigh.. I might as well go to the convenience store nearby; it's not like I'm getting anything done anytime soon.
Lorian took a peek out his window, observing the downpour of rain outside his window.
Rain, huh; just my luck. Well, no matter; anything will do but this cramped and depressing dorm.
Lorian put on his grey sweatshirt and joggers, a staple outfit as a struggling college student in crippling debt. He grabbed his umbrella and set out to the dark and rainy streets of his city. Lorian strutted with one hand in his pocket in deep contemplation while the rain dripped off his half-torn umbrella,
Why did I ever take their advice seriously? I have no interest in becoming a physicist or anything sciency related. I just happen to be a bit smarter than the rest of the mediocre bunch..
He continued his deliberating march until he heard the jarring scream of a woman just 30 steps ahead in a dark and sketchy alley.
"AGHHH!! SOMEBODY, ANYBODY!"
Lorian's body froze as he heard the yell. He had heard of traps like this, targeting foolish, unsuspecting young men into rescuing a supposed 'damsel in distress', falling victim to robbery, or even worse.
A woman's voice. Are they in danger? Should I go help..? It might even be a setup; I've heard of traps like this. Maybe I should just call the police, but on the off-chance that this is real…
Lorian pondered until making his decision. He fumbled for his phone to call the authorities, but halted when the voice broke out into a sob.
"PLEASE!!!"
Looks like there's no avoiding this…
He quickly pocketed his phone and closed his umbrella, breaking out into a mad dash to the alley.
Upon arriving at the scene in the dark and damp alley, two men were standing just 15 feet away from Lorian. One looked to be above average height and heavy-set, taking hold of a struggling woman, the other appears to be similar to Lorian's height with a slight but noticeable limp on his right leg, but branded with a sharp, grey knife. And to his right lay a standard green dumpster, which emitted a rotting smell.
Two men, one tall and big, and the other of my height, with a knife.
He quickly raised his voice at the two men in a bid to intimidate them
"I'd advise you men to step away from her; the police are already on their way."
The knife-wielder cackled alongside his friend and pointed the blade at Lorian
"Keke, by the time the pigs get here, you'll be skinned alive, and we'll be long gone from here, kid."
Seems there's no dissuading them.
Lorian tightened his grip on the closed umbrella and got into a battle-ready stance, ready to attack with his make-shift weapon.
Suddenly, both Lorian and the assailant lunged at each other; the assailant slashing at Lorian's stomach.
Lorian quickly moved the umbrella to the side of his stomach where the attack was directed at, narrowly blocking the edge of the blade.
He's quite fast, but his arm appears to be a bit slow
Lorian raised his right fist and slammed it into the man's cheek, causing him to stumble a few steps back, though quickly recatching his center of gravity.
He gripped the umbrella, took a step forward, and thrust the tip towards the knife-wielder's chest.
However, the man side-stepped, grabbed the umbrella with his armpit, and pulled backwards, catching Lorian by surprise and dismantling him.
"Heheh, fight with your fists like a man."
Lorian scoffed at the man's condescending remark,
"Funny words from a man brandishing a knife on an innocent girl."
His eyes quickly darted to the girl in distress, now breaking out into tears. Her short hair clung to her face as the rain poured on her figure, which appeared to be shivering either from the coldness of the night or fear. Maybe a combination of the two.
Prolonging this fight without a weapon against a man with a knife won't be in my favor
Lorian rapidly scanned the environment for any variables that he might be able to use to his advantage, spotting a rusted crossbow right beside the dumpster.
That crowbar appears rusted, but it'll have to do
The assailant noticed Lorian's interest in the crowbar and moved in a bid to retrieve it before he could.
Lorian, however, being the quicker of the two, beat him to it and swung at the man's limping right leg.
The man bent down and yelped, clutching his injured knee in pain.
A chance.
Seizing the rare opportunity, Lorian tightened his grip and swung wildly at the assailant's cranium, knocking him out in the process.
Lorian bent down quickly, catching his breath before gazing at the taller man who held the girl,
"I'll say it only once more. Step away from the girl."
The man looked at Lorian, taking him more seriously after the spectacle he had just shown.
"I'm afraid you leave me with no choice."
He pulls out a worn-down revolver, pointing it at Lorian.
BANG
Lorian's ears rang as he felt a throbbing sensation in his chest. He looked down to see blood slowly dripping from his wound and clutched desperately. In his ears, he heard the girl let out an ear-piercing yell, causing him to fall to the wet and dirty pavement.
No.. Really?? Just this morning I was…
Tears filled the corners of his eyes as he recounted every detail that led up to this tragic moment. His life, albeit mundane, flashed before him.
The attacker, with a ghastly expression, shoved the poor girl off of him and scurried further into the shadowed alley, disappearing into the dark. The girl, shivering even more, ran to his aid, unable to let out any words.
Lorian chuckled and clutched his wound in pain, muttering softly to himself,
"If there is a next time. I swear it.. I'll live a selfish life!"
His eyes slowly closed, ending his uneventful life.