Snippet #2196312

Caleb was rather consumed in his new reading material that he barely noticed the tall man stepping into his peripheral view. Caleb turned to look at him, whispering under his breath, “Darren…”

The man walked towards Caleb casually with his hands in the pockets of his leather jacket, “Leaving the warren, I heard?”

Caleb gave a quick glance over his shoulder to Adrian before he turned to face Darren, “Oh, yeah, yeah, I left yesterday- official like- everyone saw me off.”

“Yeah? I bet there was a get-goin luck, sorry I wasn’t able to be there. Maybe I can make it up to you with a smoke.”

Caleb momentarily looked hesitant, but soon answered, “yeah, I’m glad to get‘a share a smoke with you before I leave… Get some good closure.”

“Closure, yeah?” Darren almost sounded amused.

“Uh, yeah. I mean, it’s, you know, I thought you maybe wouldn’t be happy for me.” Caleb laughed a little; clearly that was a ridiculous conclusion. He took the lit cigarette with thanks.

“Heh. Wouldn’t be happy. Cal…” Darren produced a knife from behind his back, “ain’t nobody steals my girl!” he shouted as he thrust into Caleb’s side.
Screams echoed from the onlookers, who hastily filtered into the adjacent buildings. Within moments, the surrounding area was empty. Caleb fell to the ground, carefully clutching his side.

“She said yous were over!” Caleb screamed back.
Darren pretended to thrust down at Caleb again; he flinched and covered his head, making Darren laugh under his breath.

Noticing Adrian, but not recognizing him, Darren stepped forward, “And what about you, buster? You also gonna lift my bird? Fuckin’ riff.”

Caleb looked up at Adrian, speechless. He was still alive, but he had been seriously wounded; without attention, he would die of blood loss, infection- or, more probably, more knife wounds. Darren stood his ground, holding his knife at the ready, with a singular, horrid fire burning in his eyes.
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Luck- a party or celebration most often featuring food, feast
To lift a bird- to steal someone’s girl, to get involved with someone who’s taken
Riff- leave [immediately], disappear