The streets were in an uproar, chaotic and crowded. Amidst the bedlam, a thin, garishly dressed boy weaved through the myriad bodies blocking his way, tousled blonde hair dancing wildly in the wind. A panicked look back revealed the black-clad mafiosos close on his tail. With a click of the tongue, he ducked, turned right, and sprinted through an open alleyway.
A grin split his face when he finally felt the sea's cool breeze, smelled its salty tang. He had reached the docks. And, if he'd calculated right, he would have a few minutes to make his escape before the mafiosos found his trail.
His plan had been taxing—running in circles around the entire city—and he was covered in sweat, panting heavily and swaying precariously as he continued his sprint. His goal, and the reason he had run around in circled for so long, was the Blood Meridian. The red-and-black cutter was about to set sail. If he could hop on just before it did…
"Captain! Stop! You're about to lose something very valuable!" He shouted, stumbling toward the ship, breath ragged as he waved the captain down, pleading for just a few more seconds before the drawbridge rose.
She hesitated for little more than a moment, but it was enough for the flamboyant boy to hop onto the drawbridge. He panted heavily, doubling over and holding his hand up to the captain, whose arms were now crossed. Finally done, he opened his mouth once more: "I need to be on that ship."
She sighed. "What makes you think I'd let some sweaty, entitled noble with nothing to offer on my ship?" The boy chuckled, eliciting a raised eyebrow, "What about that is funny to you?"
His laughter faded into a smile and he met her gaze, swiping the air between them as if cutting the tension, "Oh, it's nothing. I have a lot to offer, though. You should really trust me. But first…" He was cut off by a chorus of shouting and gunshots, his black-clad pursuers flooding onto the dock.
The boy seized the captain's distraction, took the liberty of slipping past her and collapsing onto her ship. He grinned up at the sky as she cursed, kickstarting the boat with some unknown method. The drawbridge scraped on the dock as the boat picked up speed, abandoning his pursuers.