(Hogsmeade) Not gonna run no more

[Cattrim Rallon]

Maintaining a low profile had always been difficult for Cattrim, now it was proving nigh on impossible. Bad men were after him, of course he'd call them the bad name, others would dubb him the criminal, it all depends upon perspective.

Ducking into the crowded alley, not with people unfortunately as then he'd have been able to melt away like dew upon the grass, Catt quickened his pace. There was no telltale spring in his step now, but a sense of urgency. The alley was full to overflowing, overloaded bins teetered perilously outside backdoors to the stout houses, a washing line was even strung out overhead. Nothing moved but the idly swinging clothes above and the rubbish fluttered from the slight breeze. Catt tore through like a tornado all elegancy and grace forgotten, if ever there was, as he careered ino the first mountainous pile of disgusting rubbish, not having time to wipe of the smearing substance upon him, he really didn't want to know what it was, he rushed onwards picking his way more carefully through the trash that threatened to avalanche down upon him.

Breaking into a run he instinctively ducked as he heard a cry of "stop," from behind, it was lucky his reflexes were quick as the spell sailed harmlessly over his unprotected head. "Gorram," he cursed as he kicked past a fallen bin strewn in his path. "We warned you," shouted the voice that was getting unnervingly closer. Spells were incantated and Catt was flung bodily forward upon the ground as one connected; painfully. Crashing to the muddy ground, Catt moved quickly rolling onto his back and drawing his wand as the footfalls pounded towards him. Scrambling backwards as spells tore into ground where he had just lain, he had no time to get to his feet as the men approached, "drop the damn wand," one cried, his face concealed in dark shadow. The others eyes flickered menecingly, as they both stood poised for action.

Catt's wand clattered to the floor at their feet. "We got 'im," cried the small one jovially bounding forward and grabbing Catt by the lapel, "bind the bugger up first Frank." Commanded the other in an icy tone, his face was still concealed and his wand hadn't moved from threatening Catt; that's why he'd dropped his. Catt's eyes narrowed and he growled in frustration, "y'all win this time."

"This isn't a game," countered the cold man motioning for his companion to truss Catt up like a chicken.
As the smaller of the two stepped eagerly forward and exhanged wand for rope he moved around to get behind Catt who still sat resolute uon the cold, hard ground striving for a way out.
"No Willy...it ain't, but I'm sure gonna win it." As Frank kneeled behind him and fiddled with his rope Catt moved, with one smooth movement he elbowed Frank in his privates with his right whilst pushing himself aside from the inevitable shot with his left, that shot knocked Frank unconcious judging by the way his head hit hard ground with a sickening thud. Finishig the movement Catt's right plunged for the belt around his waist drawing out the old pistol from its holster and firing two shots in rapid succession; all in the blink of an eye. Willy gasped and teetered forward his wand arm bleeding from the two bullet wounds, and his wand now lying prone beside him. Clambering to his feet Catt ran up to the somewhat dazed man as he reached for his wand with his left, shoving the butt of his gun into the man's midriff Willy doubled over, his scarred face now plain as day up close and out of shadow. Pushing Willy to his knees Catt slapped him around the face once to stop anymore resistance.
"How'd you like that? Look how the tables turned Willy." He breathed grabbing him by the throat, "now don't threaten me or mine again, unless you want a world of pain." He whispered coldly pushing the groaning man, who tried spitting in his face, onto his back. Replacing his own wand he casually dropped Willy's into the rubbish, "try gettin' that back in a hurry." He smirked then with an air of confidence strode past the two prone men, further down the alley.

After a dozen paces he broke into a helter skelter run, those shots would have been heard for miles around, they'd been necessary but the Ministry would be encroaching upon his position now; he needed to hide. Seeing an industrial size bin up ahead he knocked aside the lid, "what a life," he chuckled to himself, then taking a deep breath of sweet fresh air, dived right on in.

They wouldn't think of trawling through rubbish to find him, he knew he wouldn't so he guessed clean-cut and proper Ministry officials in tailcoats wouldn't dare get their fingernails dirty.

[Rebecka McDyne]

Becki usually stayed away from populated areas but this seemed like a good opportunity to finally figure some things out for herself. Though she doubted any of these people would know anything, judging by what they were wearing it was pretty obvious that they were all just normal run of the mill students. Something Becki could easily say she never was.

Becki tried to avoid bumping into people in the crowded place, but it was impossible. It had been so long since she had been around people that she had forgotten how to avoid them. Or that was the way it seemed. She walked slowly, trying to grasp her foot movements, and she swore the next person to step on her wouldnt feel a spell hit their face, they'd feel her fist. No matter how young they were, did she mention she didnt care that much for people anymore? They were all devious, everyone had something about them. That something they would trade to be able to live again, but not Becki, she had had everything ripped away from her. Forceably. She didnt like this anymore. She wanted away from the people now, she knew this was a bad idea. Looking to her left she saw an entrance to an alleyway that people seemed to just walk past. Ducking through the crowd she walked straight into the alley. No wonder nobody came down here. The place was a mess. It was perfect.

Becki stopped, a little ways down what she thought was a deserted alley she heard people yelling. Though she didnt move. Instead she looked around her for something she could either climb on or get hide behind to get closer to. Though the only thing she could see was a wall. Hoisting herself up, the darkness of this wall would easily hide her as she crept slowly to where she could hear the noises coming from. She watched as the scene unfolded infront of her. She didnt know why she had this feeling like the person on the ground was a good guy. Or as good as guys get these days. She stayed silent on the wall but just watched, she had a sense of feeling like the man would get away so she didnt bother to help him and put herself in danger. She smiled when she saw the guy elbow another one in his nether-regions. Her eyes widened when she saw him use a muggle weapon. The man began to walk down the alley and Becki followed him on the wall. She watched as he hid in a bin, but crouched lower on the wall herself when she heard footsteps approaching fast.

The people who were after him were talking very fast, Becki listened as they seemed to run past the bin and further up the alley. When she could hear their footsteps no more she jumped down off the wall landing silently and walked over to the bin. He was good at hiding, she couldnt see him. "Its alright, you can come out now, they've gone"

[Cattrim Rallon]

Sitting in the trash wasn't exactly the best moment of Catt's life, the stink was dreadful and something made a distinctly squishy noise as he shifted position to peek out of the bin. Grimacing he watched with baited breath as the officials went right on by. Looks like his gamble had paid off. Waiting a few seconds he let out the breath he'd been holding only to be assailed by the putrid awful smell once more; some poor creature had died in the bin, he was surprised there weren't scavangers crawling all over the carcass, maybe they were. Hearing footsteps approach he cursed his ill fortune and pressed himself deeper until the rubbish, feeling particularly unclean; filthy in fact. Listening as a voice spoke out he decided to take her word for it, particularly as he was running out of breathable air, it really was a putrid smell.

Feeling a huge need to heave he knocked off the lid gulping breaths of sweet fresh air, in comparison, which just about allayed his throwing up. Ceasing his gasping he cast an eye over his saviour, as he'd dubbed her, he felt like if he'd stayed under any longer he'd have been eaten alive.

"Cheers," he breathed with a smile as he dragged himself out, and set his feet upon solid ground, looking at the state of himself he grimaced his lip curling up to show his distaste as bits of rotting plastic, vegetables and even metal cans clung to him. It felt like any kind of rubbish was clinging to his coat, shaking himself roughly he began knocking off all the trash.
"I presume you ain't Ministry missy? Nor anyone wanting to kill me or nuttin, cause then I'd be dead already. If that were the case then this hell ain't half so bad." He winked at the girl, then added, "they could come back all to quickly, we'd best scarper, up for a nice jog?" As she'd told him the coast was clear he guessed she would come along now, if only for the adventure. Looking her up and down she did indeed seem one for adventure, unless she just liked sleeping beneath the stars. He'd heard of far stranger habits.

Looking back up the alley he could see no retreating footsteps, but he could hear them, "I don't fancy waiting fer that lot to get back 'ere, so shall we?" He smiled brightly gesturing for her to follow as he set off in the opposite direction to the pounding boots, probably big Ministry oafs with a point to prove, one they'd assuredly fail to manage, they were rarely the brightest sparks, so Catt knew that running was easier, they were large brutes almsot bred for fighting those were the ones who would avalanche upon them first, so all they had to do was run...very fast.

[Rebecka McDyne]

Rebecka didnt much want to think about what it must be like to have to hide in a trashcan. She assumed it must be pretty awful and guessed he hadnt much of a choice. If he had, a trashcan would have been the last thing he has chosen, or was she just thinking this because it would have been the last place she would have chosen. Just standing next to it she could smell the foul smell of it, she hated to think what he must by breathing and didnt even let the thought of what he must be lying in, enter her mind.

She stepped back a bit as the lid came off the trashcan with ease. she smiled as she saw him gulping for fresh air, "Not very nice in there i take it?" she asked with a grin. She couldnt help but find this slightly amusing.

"Your welcome, you'd have been hiding in there all day otherwise" She said with a shrug as she watched him drag himself out, she would have helped him but he seemed to be doing okay by himself. She looked at him, an eyebrow raised, "Setting a new fashion trend?" she asked, pointing to the bits of food and cans stuck to him, though she meant it purely in a joking way.
"You presume right" She smiled at him, "Well im glad i could brighten up hell then" smiling again at him and putting her head a little to the left, her hair still flailing a bit in the slight breeze. "Im always up for a jog" she grinned as she too heard the familiar sounds of footfall coming from the ministry.

"Cant say i fancy my chances either" she nodded and took one last look back before following the other man in the other direction. Rebecka couldnt help but look back, though still she couldnt see any signs of anyone. It would seem to her the ministry had a vendetta against a lot of people these days.