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Challenge of the Week CCXXXI
You're in an alley, against a wall, and you're in deep. You really let go of the wheel this time, took a loan from a certain group of, well, shiny dark-haired gentlemen of the city streets. You changed your looks, moved to the east side of town to avoid them, but they have you now, by the wrist, modified cigar cutter ready, two of them smiling at you while the third has your neck in the crease of his elbow. Your four fingers and thumb splayed above your wrist in grip, you have to answer the question, "Which one? If you don't pick now, we take two." Write a poem or story about what put you in that alley, your pick of digit, and the experience, the aftermath of adaptation, if you want, the whole story, if the story goes that far for you. And don't even think about not entering, because we know people, you know? - Winner gets 25 bucks. Go.

The Ruby Ring

Dark red brick scraped against my back, cutting into my jutting ribs. Dark shadows climbed the alley walls, closing in on me.

"Which one?" He smiled, three gold teeth gleaming, hair slicked back and shining in the moonlight. My fingers feel frozen, stinging in the cold night air. He pushed the knife against my index, I wince as I see a trickle of red. My breath catches, there's no escape...

I guess you could call me a creature of the night, no not drinking and clubbing till 3 am kind of creature, the kind who sneaks into your house in the dead of night, takes your valuables and leaves without making a noise, while you continue to sleep, dreaming of your mundane lives. I would hate a mundane life, always knowing what’s going to happen next, the unknowing is the fun part.

"Can't catch me." I grinned, peering behind as I saw the cop, baton raised. I veered left into a main street, tall townhouses stood on both sides, their windows glowing yellow, the occasional TV light shining through.

"Stop!" I heard the policeman yell. I looked behind me again.

"No thanks!"

I took a sharp right into an alley, and hopped over a fence, landing a bush, at the back of a neatly mowed back garden. I quietly snuck round the front and pulled up my hood, walking at a reasonable pace, though slow enough to dodge attention. I heard sirens in the distance, it seemed all the coppers were out tonight, as were the criminals.

The red front door to my apartment creaked as did the floorboards. If I'd been paying rent, I would have complained to my landlord. I slumped down onto my deflating pool ring, courtesy of the local pool shop. Out the window the moon shone, piercing through the shattered glass of my apartments one and only window. A sigh escaped my lips, my hands unfurled, revealing this night’s treasure, it was beautiful. A solid gold ring, complete with a diamond encrusted ruby. Certainly, my most expensive achievement, pity I would have to give it up unless... A rustle sounded from underneath some of my recently acquired newspapers.

"Hey Girly." I smiled, my lucky black cat stared at me, her one ear flopping and eyes shining green. She snuggled beside me; I could hear the faint thumping of music from the nightclub next door. Feet tapping as the guests swirled round the dance floor.

"Night Girly." I murmured. I could hear a faint yowl in response.

In and out I thought, staring at the shopfront from across the street, jewellery gleamed from within, I licked my lips, I could taste the prize. I stepped forward ready, I breathed in, a smile crossing my lips suddenly a hand grabbed me from behind, pulling me roughly into an alleyway. A hand covered my mouth, as I was pushed roughly against a wall.

"Where’s the ring." A low voice growled. I shrugged as best I could from my current position. "You already have the money; we need the ring." The three thin guys behind him nodded, their hands poised over their knives. I shrugged again, dark red brick scraped against my back, cutting into my jutting ribs...

(Story is a loop :)

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