Kenrya crouched in the growing shadows.  The cool air blasting from the ground vent provided cover as she watched the boy turn into the alley at a run.  He glanced nervously over his shoulder and tripped on the uneven pavement, nearly dropping the thick, curved sword he carried in his right hand.  His breathing was ragged as he staggered to his feet.  In the flickering light from a lamppost, she saw his hair was blond and disorderly, his face dirty and wet with sweat.  He hurried down the alley, using his left hand against the wall for support, stumbling time and again over the bits of scattered debris.

Kenrya hugged her knees to her chest and strained to see; dusk had fallen over the city and the air from the vent dried her eyes.  As she had spotted several Graeliths nearby, she had retreated to the cool air for protection.  Graeliths, beast-like creatures that relentlessly persecuted the marked, hunted by body heat at night, unable to distinguish a cool body from its surroundings.

Given the last bell signaling curfew had sounded, why would a lone boy be in this alley?  She was safe here for the moment, but he might give away her position.  With the mark she bore, she was prey for the Graeliths to hunt and kill, under orders of the Tyrnotts, self-appointed leaders of Caldot and the surrounding communities.

She rubbed a spot behind her left ear as she watched him.  She had seen this species before, though they numbered fewer than most in the city.  He was Human; of this she was certain.  The Humans lived in the forest of Kullac, a distant sector outside the city walls.  They were well respected as traders, if not more as warriors.  At first glance, they seemed weak, but many years ago she had witnessed a rough fight with two Humans against several Graeliths; their reputation as great warriors was well earned.

The boy moved with seeming agility, yet he stumbled time and again.  When he neared the end of the alley, she expected him to take the smaller alleyway veering off to the right, for there was no other reason to enter this alley.  But, when he came within a few feet of her, she realized something was wrong with him.  He seemed to be using his left hand against the wall to guide himself and failed to notice her at all.  Perhaps he couldn’t see clearly in the encroaching darkness.

The boy’s clothes were as dirty as he was and unlike any she had seen.  They were probably traveling clothes common to Humans, though she lacked sufficient knowledge of the species to be certain.  Many of the outbounders, those visiting the city from other communities, wore heavy, earth-colored pants and jackets with more pockets and zippers than seemed necessary.  They generally ventured into the city to sell their wares, which made the clothing useful, if not conspicuous.  Yet this boy’s clothes were not heavy, nor earth-toned.  They hugged his body, while still allowing him to move freely.  They were dark and appeared thick, yet failed to weigh him down.  Kenrya leaned closer for a better look, but the air from the vent obscured her sight and she didn’t dare move from its protective gust.

The boy moved beyond her and passed the narrow alleyway on the right.  He reached the back of the alley and frantically felt along the wall, searching for an exit.  He was trapped.  If she helped him, she risked exposing her position.  As the Graeliths must be nearby, doing so would be reckless.  Besides, he looked able to defend himself.

Suddenly, he spun around to face the mouth of the alley.  A look of panic crossed his face, quickly replaced by a look of determination.  He set his feet in a defensive stance, pushed up his sleeves, and raised his sword.  She tightened her grip on the pulsar at her side and turned to look in the same direction, seeing what he obviously heard, a Graelith coming after him.  The boy must be marked, as well.