57 - Her First Job

It was early in the morning. A fog, from the lake, drifted into the town. It was dense enough to see shadowy figures from afar. It was perfect for Annie to do her work. She had started a few months ago with her strange job.

Some kids had taught her how to pickpocket and move between the alleyways. It was easy to steal from drunks but not very beneficial. Annie had bigger plans. She knew there was a ship that would arrive early today. Rich merchants and richer nobles would be on the ship.

There was a popular pub near that catered to the rich. She hid in the alley, waiting. Soon, she saw the men standing in line outside the pub. Lowering her hat, she walked towards them. From her memory, she knew most nobles put their coin purses on their left hip. It was easy to reach in with their right to access their coins.

Her small blade flicked and she was able to cut each purse of a noble that she walked by. The purse fell silently into her bag. With the last one falling, she closed her bag and hid her knife in her sleeve.

"Hey!"

She heard the last man say to her but she pretended she didn't hear. She felt his hand near her shoulder and she moved sideways casually. Annie knew she was caught by this man. She walked towards the alley.

"Hey mister! Stop right there!"

Annie stopped and waited for his footsteps to come closer. A hand fell on her shoulder. She grabbed the hand and pulled the body forward, over her shoulder. She didn't look down at the man but ran into the alley.

"Hey, wait!"

The fog should be able to cover her along with the darkness in the alley. She had left a storage box behind some trash and stuffed her bag in. She locked it and threw the bags over the box before running off again. It was in time to hear the following footsteps.

Running, she could tell her pursuer was fit and strong. He was able to keep up with her. Most nobles and merchants here were paunchy and sloth like. He must be new. She turned her head slightly to see who was chasing her.

His green eyes reflected determination on his handsome face. The ashy blonde hair was tied in a loose ponytail. His physique was lean but she could see his muscles toned under his suit. He seemed young, around her age. Looking forward, she needed a plan to escape him. He was catching up to her.

She rounded a corner and hid against the wall. As the sound of breathing came closer, she extended a leg out. He tripped over the leg and landed flat on his face. She pulled the rope from her other bag and jumped on his back. While he yelled for her to let go, she took his hands and tied them together. He tried to look at her.

Annie took his grey handkerchief around his neck and tied it around his eyes. She pulled his shoes and socks off. Bundling one, she shoved the sock in his mouth. His yells came out muffled. She stood to move away but he rolled under her legs. When she fell forward, his hands had gripped her right ankle. She turned to push him away.

Annie grunted from the pain as he rolled his weight on her leg, letting her ankle go. She tried to push him off but he was too heavy. He continued to roll over her torso. She lost her breath for a moment, struggling against the weight. His back laid on her stomach.

She could feel him trying to untie himself. Panicking, she raised her fists and started hitting his stomach. He bended from the blows. When he did, she took the chance to roll out the other way and ran out of the alley.

"Someone help!" she cried. A guard walked towards. She pointed towards the alley. "A man in there tried to rape me! Please help!"

"Stay here!" the guard ordered as he went into the alley. When he disappeared through the fog, she took off running.