• xxxxxxThe city was darker than usual, that night; the moon was new and the holiday kept most indoors, leaving the streets relatively empty and quiet. Emmerick kept his usual post, halfway down a dark alleyway between the Sidewinder's Pub and one of the old apartment buildings, his careful eyes scanning anyone who passed the narrow split between the two walls. A woman of elegant dress walked on the arm of an important man, both laughing quietly as they headed toward the poorly named bar. These two were of little interest, to him. He waiting there, the unlit cigarette between his thin lips. He glanced down, for a moment, and say his perfect target from the corner of his eye: a dark haired man clad in a black suit, leaving the bar and obviously drunk. He lifted himself from the wall and left the alley, finally lifting the lighter in his left hand to the stick. He lit it quickly, then followed the inebriated man nonchalantly, already creating a plan for the night. The man hadn't even noticed his stalker.
    xxxxxxA quarter of the way down the boulevard, the man turned up to his apartment building and worked at the front door and Emmerick moved to pass. However, the man made frustrated noises, apparently unable to to get the door unlatched. He banged at the door and Emmerick stopped just beyond the steps and turned on his heel, waiting a moment before he asked the man if he needed help. The man slowly pivoted and leaned his shoulder against the door beside him. He spoke in slurred words, "M'yeah... Can' ge'the sthupid door open." Smiling, Emmerick walked casually up the stairs and joined the man on the landed. He took the keys from his hand and unlocked the door for him, then let him in. He expected the man to simply take his keys and walk on, but he turned to Emmerick and gave him a sheepish look. "Can you... my apartment?" he asked, seemingly half asleep. Emmerick laughed and agreed to unlock his apartment door for him, then casual let the man an arm around his waist to support him up the stairs. By the time they reached the fourth floor, he had the man laughing and offering to buy Emmerick a beer.
    xxxxxxHe walked the man to his apartment and unlocked the door and returned the keys before pivoting to leave. However, he was stopped with a hand on his shoulder. He turned back with a curious expression and the man asked Emmerick to come inside for a drink. He explained that he'd gone to the bar out of loneliness and he needed a friend. Emmerick smiled awkwardly, then nodded, "...Sure, why not?" he asked as the man let him inside and followed behind,"What's to drink?" The man stumbled over to his alcohol cabinet and retrieved an old bottle of whiskey. He sat on the nearby couch and Emmerick sat beside him. They exchanged names and drank for a good hour before the man passed out with his head on Emmerick's shoulder.
    xxxxxxCarefully, Emmerick moved the man to the couch, then stood and searched the place for any small valuables he might be able to pawn. He collected a gold watch, an iPod, and a few other similar items, filling the pockets of his jacket until he could fit no more. He went to leave, then, but couldn't bring himself to walk through that door without one last action. He looked over his shoulder at the man who'd so quickly befriended him, then slowly walked toward him and knelt on the floor, just within reach. He examined his face, then lifted his hand and gently rested it on his cheek, admiring the expression on his unconscious face. He chuckled a little, tracing the rim of his ear with his fingertips. The man was so delicate and it wouldn't take more than a quick move to stop his life... but that wasn't what he was there for. He sighed, ran his hand halfway through the man's hair, then stood and left, never to return, lest he face the guilt of thieving from such a kind gentleman.