An Example

The shadows merged and coalesced behind Brian. He swaggered onward, oblivious until a sharp blade tickled his nape.

That brought him up short.

“Almost got away, didn’t you?”

Brian's 9mm rested on a bed of cash in his cargo pants pocket. All it would take–

Pain sparked as the knife released a scarlet drop to wick into Brian’s collar. “Dumb idea.”

His mind raced through myriad conclusions to this midnight confrontation. The ones where he pushed his luck ended badly. “The money is-”

The knife prodded. “Keep walking.”

Cold water coursed through Brian’s veins. "It was a harmless stickup…"

Another prod brought silence.

Quietly they walked; bipedal shadows followed by formless brethren dancing in the moonlight.

Brian stopped after two blocks, suddenly exhausted. “What do you want?”

A warm rivulet dribbled off his fingers before Brian realized. Moments later, weakness pulled him to the ground.

“I want an example.”