A Dark Delivery

“We can’t keep running forever,” Finn gasped, barely keeping up. Naomi rolled her eyes, remembering why she never took him along on these trips.

“We’ve barely been going for five minutes Finn, anyway we are almost there,” Naomi replied. She began to pick up her pace and made a sharp right as the voices behind them began to increase in volume. She tried to calculate in her head the best route to get back to the hideout. The longer way was usually better; especially when she was being followed; but she doubted Finn would not make it that far. She would have to only take a few extra turns she decided, it was risky but better to get back with followers then not at all.

Naomi looked behind her, unsurprisingly Finn had fallen a few feet behind. He had stopped trying to run; instead, leaning against the alley wall breathing heavily. Naomi sighed heavily before sprinting back and grabbing his arm. He resisted, leading him to almost land face first on the pavement.

“I can’t,” He said as Naomi dragged him along. She listened carefully; the voices were growing nearer, but they still had time if they were smart about it.

“You have to,” Naomi hissed, pulling on Finn’s arm a bit harder. They had to keep moving, if they wanted to live. She looked in both directions before tugging Finn to the left. It was a risky path to take; but it was much quicker. She held on tightly to both Finn’s hand and the bag that was slung around her shoulder as she did so.

Suddenly she heard another Voice. This one coming from not far in front of them . Hastily she spun around. Cursing under her breath she pulled a confused Finn around the corner they had just come from.

Finn looked at her about to speak; but before he had the chance she pushed him against the wall and covered his mouth. Finn’s eyes grew wide as Naomi held him tight pressing her body close to the wall as well, doing her best to hide in darkness that wall and the night provided. Just then, two large figures emerged from the darkness talking loudly as they passed by continuing on the straight path; not noticing the voices in the distance or the two teenagers huddled against the wall. The two stood there for an extra minute. Before Naomi pulled herself free of the wall and grabbed Finn's arm once again dragging him on the path they had tried to travel before.

“Who the hell was that?” Finn whispered.

“Not important,” Naomi replied trying to end the conversation even though she knew very well that wasn’t how this was going to work. Naomi and Finn had been best friends for most of their lives. Growing up as next door neighbors and moms that were best friends, it was inevitable. They had been inseparable. The only catch was Naomi’s Job. She didn’t hide it of course, but she also didn’t go out of her way to talk about it. After all, some things are better left unsaid. However one too many video games night missed and Finn insisted on coming along. He knew all too well what he was getting into, and with little time to protest; and despite having better judgement Naomi just shrugged and let him follow along, figuring she could just save them both if they hit any trouble; which rarely happened. Of course trouble had a way of appearing at the worst times. It didn’t help that they were in a high danger area, but Finn was not in any state of going the long safe way; not while they were being pursued. Now as her mind raced with regret she wondered if they would survive.

“Seriously Naomi what is even in that bag?” Finn asked trying to break free of Naomi’s grip and failing. Naomi just shrugged. This was the truth. Naomi had kept her job for the past 3 years. Most people barely kept the position for one. This was due to several things. First, unlike most she was young and fit, able to handle the danger. Second she followed the rules. Pick up the item, bring it to the location. Third, she never asked questions. This was the main reason for failure; curiosity was often a good thing, but not here. Here, the less you know the better. If you thought you knew something it was better to pretend like you didn’t and you never ever questioned what you were picking up. Over the years of working with the same bose Naomi had some hunches, crazy ideas she might add; which was good. The more fiction her assumptions were the easier it was to deny they were probably true.

Caught in her thoughts Naomi hadn’t realized that Finn had gone silent for several minutes. This was not a good sign. She had made a mistake. It was at that moment Naomi saw what had caught Finns eye, what had silenced him. In the corner of the block they were heading towards there was a figure. Standing tall and wide. It was too dark to see the more than its shape, but that didn’t matter. The shape in front of them mimicked the shape animal similar to a bear however it’s body was distorted it’s limbs proportioned in a way that didn’t make sense. It’s stood on its back legs the way it held itself less animalist and more human. With a quick glance someone could easily mistake it for a large animal, but stare at it for longer and it was obvious something was wrong. Naomi’s breath caught in the back of her throat. She knew what this was. She had encountered one once her first year on the job. It was much further away though. She would have been dead if it weren’t for another coming by at just the right time and walking her through the steps needed to survive.

She stared at the beast in front of them, they had already locked eyes. This made things much more complicated. The easiest way out was to go unnoticed. That’s what the stranger had shown her last time. Stick to the shadows. Put distance between you and you would be fine. They were not that lucky today. Even so he had told her the rest of the rules. What to do in this case. She had never been so grateful to anyone in her life.

Slowly not breaking eye contact she searched through the air until her palm hit Finn's arm. She grabbed on and slowly backed him into the shadows holding her breath she watched the beast. It’s eyes stayed locked with hers; it didn’t blink. Step two had failed. Naomi took a deep breath. She knew there was one other option. She also knew not many survived it. She stared down the path opposite the beast. The first door opened just a crack a tiny bit of light seeping through. It was close, she only hoped it was close enough.

She didn’t break eye contact as she ripped Finn away from the wall. Pulling him to quickly for him to process what was happening. She knew this was the only way, he didn't have time to resist. With her eyes still on the beast she raced past him. Full speed, Finn barely keeping his feet in pace. She Turned her head away just second after passing it. This was the risky part. Eyes locked it saw you as something that didn’t have fear, as somewhat of an equal. Turn away and the ruse was up, it would remember what it was; and recognize you for what you were. An unmistakable sound came from behind them, causing Finn to falter and fall to the ground. Naomi didn’t stop dragging him along. She had never been more glad for her strength and the time she spent training then in this moment. The last second she slid through the door, just as Finn let out a yelp she pulled them both through slamming and locking the door behind them.

Naomi and Finn lay on the ground, breathing heavily. The bright lights and the loud cheers of people celebrating engulfed them. Naomi didn’t waste another second. She looked at Finn behind her, his knees and palms were bloodied from being dragged the short distance. On his lower leg was a nasty cut. It would need stitches but he would live. The one good thing about the beast was it was not poisonous, it didn’t need to be. Knowing Finn would be fine, Naomi pulled herself to her feet and pushed her way past the group huddled together, drinking, and laughing. They cheered as she passed, trying to chat, offering her drinks, asking her questions. Naomi ignored them; she wasn’t done.

Making it through the crowd and pushing her past the bartender Naomi opened the door behind the bar. Behind the door lay a small dark office. All but one light was off, not much was in the office aside from a desk, a plant, and a few black and white pictures that hung on the wall. The chair behind the desk was turned away. This always made Naomi want to roll her eyes. Dramatic flair did not impress her.

“Well done,” The Man in the chair said turning toward her a wicked smile on his face. “I see you got it, I hope it didn’t cause you too much trouble.” he smirked.

“You know, nothing I can’t handle.” Naomi replied placing the bag on his desk. He let out a laugh in reply before sliding open the bag and peering at the content. His smile grew wider as he looked back up at Naomi.

“Very well done girl,” He said. Naomi nodded watching him slide the bag out of view as he motioned a nod that told her it was time to go. She nodded back before exiting the office. She Went to join the others and a concerned Finn. she would stay for a drink or two and then bring him home. She knew so much lay ahead. She would have to explain to Finn that she was fine. This was her job, her life. Bigger things lay around the corner and she need to be a part of them. She was ready, and she would never stop running.