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Dune absconded across the parking lot, her mind ticking through possibilities. Things to do, escape routes, when she ought to turn and fight. This was far from the worst situation she'd been in, but with Wil's life on the line, she wasn't taking anything for granted.
Behind her, she could hear the third thug's footsteps on the asphalts. It was the more able-bodied one, she suspected, rather than the one she'd beamed with a crowbar, since he was gaining steadily. On the other side of the parking lot was another strip mall, this one smaller and more run-down than the one they'd come from. Well, run-down relative to the Upper Fens.
It was better described as empty, with rental spaces still up for grabs. The sidewalks around it were clean, though the stark white outdoor lighting was spotty at best. It wasn't inviting for foot traffic after dark, which was likely why the owner was having issues leasing it to small businesses.
Dune reached the curb at the end of the parking lot, jumped the grassy median and ran past the empty storefronts. She wasn't breathing hard yet, though she could feel her lungs catch just slightly, a sign that she ought to cut back on the cigarettes sooner rather than later. At the mouth of another alley, she paused a moment, peeking down that way to see if there was anywhere she could hide. If she could catch the guy unawares, she might be able to question him. If that failed, though, she could track Wil's badge.
Dune absconded across the parking lot, her mind ticking through possibilities. Things to do, escape routes, when she ought to turn and fight. This was far from the worst situation she'd been in, but with Wil's life on the line, she wasn't taking anything for granted.
Behind her, she could hear the third thug's footsteps on the asphalts. It was the more able-bodied one, she suspected, rather than the one she'd beamed with a crowbar, since he was gaining steadily. On the other side of the parking lot was another strip mall, this one smaller and more run-down than the one they'd come from. Well, run-down relative to the Upper Fens.
It was better described as empty, with rental spaces still up for grabs. The sidewalks around it were clean, though the stark white outdoor lighting was spotty at best. It wasn't inviting for foot traffic after dark, which was likely why the owner was having issues leasing it to small businesses.
Dune reached the curb at the end of the parking lot, jumped the grassy median and ran past the empty storefronts. She wasn't breathing hard yet, though she could feel her lungs catch just slightly, a sign that she ought to cut back on the cigarettes sooner rather than later. At the mouth of another alley, she paused a moment, peeking down that way to see if there was anywhere she could hide. If she could catch the guy unawares, she might be able to question him. If that failed, though, she could track Wil's badge.