Ambushed

Hot fury surged through Asher. He pushed forward to teach these scums of gutter a hard lesson but only to be stopped in his track by a gentle force bound around him. Upon glancing down, he found her hiding in his shirt. Her frail arms were wrapped around him and her face was buried into his chest. All he could see was her hair which was coiled into a top-knot. She had tightened her grip around him after sensing he was about to draw away. She needed him close to feel safe. Somehow her fear weakened his impulse and he stayed put.

Asher looked around. It was only them on the street. They shouldn't have wandered about mindlessly at such hour.

"Let us go," Asher negotiated, looking around and memorizing each face to the groove of his brain. The man with the knife came closer.

"Give us everything you have," he demanded. Asher ground his jaw but complied.

He reached into his pocket and took out his wallet. Keeping Serena close with his one arm, he threw it towards him with his other