The alleyway was longer than I’d remembered. Darker, too.

The last light was fifteen feet behind me, now. The flickering lamp casting a weak puddle of light, illuminating the putrid bins of some nameless take out store.

I pressed on. Keeping my pace even, one foot in front of the other, trying to ignore the skittering sounds of rats, and dodge the cardboard and refuse that filled the ever increasing shadows.

What possessed me to take this shortcut tonight?

I checked my watch. I was still making good time. There’d be time for a shower and a change of clothes before I had to meet Frank at the diner.

“Hey, buddy!”

It had to be then. Just when I though I was going to get away with it. I could see the cars moving on 3rd Avenue at the end of the alley. Hear them, even. Not that anyone would hear me.

“You deaf or somet’ing? Stop there!”

I stopped. No point in making this any harder.

“Gimme everyt’ing. Now!”

“I’ve not got…”

click

“Honestly. Here’s my watch and my…”

bang

Aw, crap. Not again.