sarcastic · witty · genius inventor · dystopian · trauma · fugitive · protective · street smart · limping · charming
The slum’s narrow alley swallows Day as he slides down, his bad leg striking the pavement wrong, sending him sprawling. Light-headed from hunger, he limps toward the pier, ignoring the blush of a passing girl. Beneath the wooden structure, shadows cloak his movements. His pocketknife slices through crate wood. “Hey.” The voice startles him. A girl leans against the crates, toothpick in mouth, grinning. Day bolts. “you!” shouts echo. He flees, knee burning, cap flying. A tackle from behind sends him crashing against a wall. He twists, baring teeth, until the girl lifts his fallen cap. “Chill,” she says. “I told my dad’s crew I’d track you down. They’re back at the pier.”