The old woman made her way down the gentle slope of the winding alley. It was high afternoon but the boys at home were adamant that they wanted fresh peaches as a part of Christmas Eve supper. The merciless sun and the gravel encrusted path had combined to reduce her progress to something akin to a trickle. Nevertheless, she ambled along contentedly, pleased in the knowledge that a well deserved rest awaited just around the corner.
But she hadn't accounted for him.
His eyes had been following her ever since she came into view at the top of the hillock, her hands clutching a basket that held several fruity treats - pleasures he had long given up on. Peaches and pears, apples and plums. Radiant reds, greens and captivating honey coloured little dollops of sugary sweetness and wholesome goodness. He had been in town for over two weeks now. The days seemed to take forever to end. Violent hunger pressed hard against his temples and gorged continuously on the insides of his stomach. But he didn't flinch. His eyes burned a flaming red as they stared intently at his would-be victim, now just a short distance away.
Before the woman could take the final turn, it leapt at her from the shadows. The frail cretin was surprisingly fleet-footed for his size and build. She registered enough to let out a tiny scream before the robust piece of rock in his hand connected with the side of her head. She was dead long before her body thudded against the hot, gravelly road.
The urchin picked up the basket and calmly disappeared into the shadows yet again. Yuri never look back.
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