Look out! Didi on the run.

Today I finished an action packed segment of the novel. As Logan gets closer to reuniting with Ruby, his young companion risks it all to give him the opportunity he needs. Will he succeed? Read on and find out! -Logan Murphy

Dashing down the dark street, seeing his way from the light of the moon alone, Didi could hear his pursuit hot on his tail. He had a head start on them, but these were trained soldiers, every one of them was fit, and he was, after all, just a kid. “Ke wu dage, I hope that you’re making use of my distraction. It’s looking more and more like I made a big mistake sticking my neck out like that. I know that the Japanese soldiers are ruthless, but they wouldn’t kill a kid, would they?” Not feeling confident in his assumption, Didi continued at his breakneck pace. He was still ahead of them, but they were getting closer every second. Trying to throw them off his trail, Didi turned into a side street, changing his route. His speed of movement, combined with the quick change of direction caused him to slip on a pool of stagnant water. He waved his hands to the sides, frantically trying to maintain his balance. And he nearly succeeded. His right shoulder slammed into the unforgiving brick wall, and he tumbled to the ground, knocking up a cloud of paper-trash like a rain of confetti. Luckily, he put his hands out just in time to catch himself before his momentum carried him face-first into the hard, dirt floor. “I hope they didn’t hear that.” He hoped against hope as he climbed to his feet.

            “He went that way! Don’t let him get away!” The call followed him. Spitting out a curse that he had learned from his uncle, he looked around. He didn’t like what he found. The alley was a shallow one, ending where the backside of a building sprang up from it. Closed in. Like a rat in a cage. It didn’t look good. “Of all the alleys, why did I choose this one?” Didi asked himself. But he wasn’t the type to let his circumstances get the better of him. He’d find a way out of this. He always did. But he was scared.

            “There he is! Hey kid, don’t move!”

            “Get him, but be careful not to kill him, you heard the commander.”

            “Right. It’s your lucky day kid.” The soldier said as he closed in on Didi. With nowhere to run, Didi took a step back. Then another step, and another. Until he felt the hard, cool back wall of the house pressed up against his back. This was it they had him. Or did they. Pressed up against the wall as he was, he stretched his hands out, feeling to the sides. His left hand brushed up against something hard, and he felt the un-sanded wooden surface of what he discovered was a stack of empty produce crates. Focusing his attention back on the guards, he gauged his chances of escape. There were only two of them. They must have split up to find him, so the others would be out of reach. Adults were notorious for underestimating kids. And these soldiers were no exception. They failed to take into account how quickly a child’s body recovered, and how quickly it could move. When he was older, Didi would have to find his place in the world, but for now, he was just glad to be a thin, lanky kid, as quick and as slippery as an eel. Resourceful and clever. When one didn’t have physical strength, one learned to rely on speed and wit. They were almost on him now, approaching slowly. Toying with him, playing a game of cat and mouse. They were enjoying this.  “Let’s see how much they enjoy this.” Didi thought.

            “Please, mister. I didn’t mean anything by it, I was just having some fun is all. I promise I won’t do it again.”

            “You should have thought about that before you messed with us, kid. Now you’re in trouble.”

            “Yea. Your mommy’s not here to protect you now.” The second soldier said, now almost within reach. “That’s it. I’m just a kid, no need to keep your guard up.”

            “I’m sorry. If I come with you now, will you promise not to hurt me?” Didi said, putting terror into his voice as he whimpered.

            “Sure kid. I promise.” The first soldier said, reaching for Didi now. As quick as a snake, Didi jumped to the side, throwing the stack of empty wooden crates into the soldiers’ path. The crates performed their task perfectly, knocking down the left most soldier and tripping up his unsuspecting companion, giving Didi the opening he needed. Didi leapt over a crate, and jerked to the side, narrowly escaping the still-standing soldier’s grasp. Through the gap, Didi could see his freedom opening out before him, and so he dashed back out onto the previous street, a string of Japanese curses and a flurry of stamping feet following quickly behind.