If dingy alleyways competed internationally, the one we visit now would undoubtedly have a gold medal or two wedged between its cracked cobblestones or lost beneath one of its grimy dumpsters. It was stormy in the Big City. Perfect conditions for dinginess, which makes it such a shame the usual crowd of bandits and dealers weren’t around to appreciate the scene.

  At the moment, the only one around was a small crow, perched atop a garbage bag, who by all accounts was NOT appreciating the world-class grubbiness surrounding it. Drenched by the rain, and muttering curses, the crow nestled itself under a small, brown parcel it had brought along. The crow was miserable.

  Outside the alleyway, his boney feet clicking against the road, new to the world of the living, and hidden from the rain by his ratty cloak was a strange man. Tall, but extremely lanky. He had a sword dangling by his hip, clattering against his boney hip. To describe the face he was making under his cloak would be difficult. Significantly, but not wholly, because he did not have any skin. No muscle either. If there had been anyone else on the street in the downpour, it’s certain that they would be significantly alarmed at the sight of a walking skeleton. This is for sure.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  Curiously, though, there was another person trudging down the road in the downpour. In fact, they were walking alongside Phandl. It’s difficult to be a stranger sight than an animated skeleton trudging down the road in the road, but this old and withered lady seemed to be managing. Without an umbrella, raincoat, or any other attire to speak of, this lady peacefully ambled through the pouring rain. Every block or so, she would croak a chipper comment like, “Oh, isn’t this lovely?” These comments would illicit no response from the skeletal figure.

  Eventually, the lady sharply hobbled into an alleyway, and the skeletal figure followed her. “Gosh! If this isn’t the dingiest alleyway I have ever seen!” The pair then sat in the silence that followed the comment for an uncomfortable moment.

  The crow sitting atop a dumpster, having made up it’s mind that it DID NOT like the type of people the boss was hiring these days, leapt down onto the wet cobble.

  “Well!” He squeeked, “If it isn’t just about time!”