The captor's arm swung around my neck, locking me between his chest and elbow.
Can't... breathe!
I gagged, mindlessly attempting to grasp my throat and rid myself of the captor. My heart thumped wildly, threatening to burst from my chest. A strangled noise left my lips as I tried to gasp for air in vain.
I can't... damn i-!
“What's a young lady like you doing out here all alone?”
His cocky voice caused me to snap out of my trance.
I growled (though it sounded more like a choked gurgle) and smashed my foot down on his toes. He groaned and loosened his grip around my throat. I quickly slammed my elbow backwards, hitting him in the gut. I whirled around to meet the face of the man.
He stared at me, quivering and eyes wide. “S-sorry!” he trembled as he scooted away from me. “I'm so- all I wanted w-was–” He coughed as he rose, his legs shaking violently. He quickly began scampering back in the direction from which he came.
I watched him stumble, unable to draw my eyes away. His ragged clothes swallowed him whole. He was so thin! It was a wonder he could even stand!
“Sad little maggots, aren't they?”
“Huh?” I turned to see Chalan grinning widely, staring at the retreating figure.
“Come on,” he glanced towards the sky, “it's getting dark. And you're probably starving!”
At the mention of food, my stomach groaned loudly. Chalan giggled; my face burned as I gave him a sheepish smile, “I guess so.”
