The Decision

The figure of a man ahead takes a step forward and it's at that point you see his hand fiddle around with something between his fingers. The metal reflects the little moonlight that is entering into this alleyway and it's at that point you figure it is indeed the man known as Shade.

Closer and closer he gets to you, still not saying a single word as you see two more shadows behind him guarding the exit to the alleyway where he was just standing at. Your entire body feels tense as this shadow of a man with a spinning dagger between his fingers continues his slow march towards you.

The shadow stops just a few feet in front of you and that's when they reach their hands up to the hood and pull it down over their face. As the shroud starts to unroll from his head you begin to make out some of his features. Seeing that jet black short cut hair as well as another glimmer from the silver studs pierced through his left eyebrow and his left ear. His right hand drops down to his side again and continues to masterfully twirl that small dagger between his fingertips.

"Hello, Darien" Shade finally speaks softly "Hope I didn't frighten you, it can be quite scary in the shade..." you see him grin at you, showing off some of his teeth.

"We doing this here? We going someplace? What's up?" you question him.

"We are safe from wandering eyes and attentive ears." he says with confidence "We can speak our minds freely."

"Okay, if you say so." you reply.

"So tell me, Darien. Our deal, what is your answer?" his dagger seems to twirl around his fingertips even faster and faster as he's eager to hear your choice.

You stand there in silence as you gaze at the Shade before you. He asked you a question and you still didn't one hundred percent know the answer you wanted to give him. Part of you figured you'd have him deal with the situation, get your bounty back but be done with this man, but taking justice into your own hands and having your bounty removed sounded amazing, even though you would owe him a favor.

He must have been able to sense your hesitation because after only a few seconds he repeated himself "What is your answer, Darien. We don't have much time before I slip back into the shade." his eyes glare at your own.

"I-I..." you swallow hard as your mind continues to reel "Take care of it yourself." you let out a deep breath, satisfied with your answer "Take care of the person who claimed my death yourself. Go get your money back and replace my bounty if that's what you have to do. I'm sorry Shade, I appreciate the offer but I'll risk my life again staying alive against assassin after assassin if that's what I've got to do" you finish with a nod at him, stating it's what you've decided.

He holds his tongue for a few moments, just looking over your body through the darkness "I'm surprised, I didn't expect you to go with that option. I figured you much more ruthless." he stops spinning the dagger in his hand and it almost instantly disappears from your vision "If I may ask, why did you choose that?"

"Truthfully..." you let out another long deep breath "I want to know who attacked me. I would absolutely love to take matters into my own hands, you have no idea." you shake your head as you look at Shade "But I don't know you and I don't believe I can trust you to owe you any favor, no matter what. As much as I want the bounty gone, my assassin dead and to just be finished with it, I just don't think I can do it. I'll fight off assassins over and over again if I have to."

"Hmm..." Shade mumbles out as he brings his left hand up to caress his chin "How about we sweeten the deal then?" a smirk forms on his face.

"W-What do you mean?" you almost instantly reply back.

"I'll tell you who claimed your death, I'll remove your bounty, you won't owe me a favor and to make it even better...I'll tell you the people who paid for your head." his voice goes deep.

Your eyes go wide and your mouth drops partially open "Why? Why would you do all that? What would I have to do in return, another favor? If so, I'm still going to decline, I'm sorry Shade."

"Heh." he lets out a laugh "No favor, Darien."

"Then why? Why force me to choose between two options and then give me everything I want either way?"

"A show of good faith." he says "You don't trust me, Darien, I get that, but I'm the least of your worries." he steps back as once again you see that shimmer of light from a dagger appearing out of no where and twirling in his fingers.

"What's in it for you? You'll fix everything for me and not ask for a single thing?" your voice is full of confusion.

"I don't think you realize how strong you really are Darien. You're the leader of the Sunriders and to get a bounty worth that much, you must have pissed off the right people." he laughs once more "I respect that and I want that person on my side. I want that person to trust me. I want that person to call me an ally" The dagger disappears out of sight again "I may ask for help someday, may ask for a favor down the road and if you want to decline that, feel free. But I also want you to know, the things you may have heard about me, the issues, problems and stories that were told, not all should be trusted as I can be quite the beneficially person if needed."

You're stunned, unsure what to say at this moment. Shade is giving everything you wanted just so you trust him. He may ask for a favor down the road but at that point he even said you don't have to do it. After you take his deal you could just never see him again and potentially be done with him. The other issue could be that he's bullshitting you and will still force your hand when he needs that favor done. Should you really trust this man you don't even know or should you deny him once more because that might truly put an end to his games and hopefully once and for all be done with Shade.

"So what do you say, Darien..." he steps forward as a huge smirk forms on his face "All I ask, is a little bit of trust. It's everything you want and almost nothing in return..." his hand reaches out waiting to see if you'll accept or reject him.