The blade glinted in his hands.

The hairs on Maxwell’s neck rose. The knife was long and sharp, like out of a Rambo movie. He never took his eyes off the blade. The clown’s eyes were locked with Maxwell’s. Ice coalesced under his clothes.

“You smell like someone I can steal from,” said the man. “What’s stopping me from taking whatever I want from you!”

“Like I would let you!” shouted Maxwell. “Besides look at me, does it look like I even have something!”

“There’s more that can be taken from you.”

Maxwell’s face turned pale. “I’d like to see you try!”

The clown put down the knife.

“Calm down kid, I’m not going to hurt you, I just needed to see what you would do.”

“I’m about to bash your head in, that's what I’m about to do.”

The man snorted. “I’m sure you would, as for why I threatened you, well it’s important I’m testing you. I wanted to see how feisty you were.”

“Feisty.” demanded Maxwell.

“Appearances are important in the capital, it’s important to look strong- to have a spine.”

“I’m sorry for scaring you, I thought it was nece-.”

“ I wasn’t scared,” He said red-faced.

“When I first saw you you were scampering around like a helpless child, I could see the scared deer in your eyes. You can’t expect people to help you either.”

“I wasn’t!” he interjected. Maxwell clenched his fists. “I know better than to rely on others, they’ll only end up letting you down.” The memories left a bitter taste in his mouth

“I’m sorry if I brought up some unpleasant memories.”

Maxwell thought he had gotten somewhere with this stranger but he was unable to discern if this guy was crazy or not.

“I’m actually more proud of my other skills.”

“What do you specialise in?”

“Telepathy.”

“Telepathy, yeah right.” He raised his arms in exasperation. “Ok then, show me your trick.”

“Close your eyes.”

Maxwell looked at him cautiously before closing them. “This better not be another of those unfunny tricks.”

It had flowers of all kinds floating mesmerizingly in the wind. They stood proud and vibrant. The gentle breeze washed over him and across the light sky. There were mountains around and below him half obscured by faraway clouds.

The vividness took him aback, he wasn’t aware that he could conjure up an image like that. He sniffed deeply. I can practically smell it, its nothing like the stench of some back alley.

The clown stared at Maxwell’s relaxed expression smugly.

“Hmmm, I guess you’re imagining a field of flowers on a mountaintop.”

Maxwell was surprised to find tears in his eyes. “How did you know?”

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“Trick of the trade,” he said slyly.

The clown retrieved a peach-like fruit from his jacket. He tossed it at him. It felt heavy in Maxwell’s hands.

“What’s this for?”

The man stood up dusting himself off. “It’s a tangerine fruit, it’s something called food, you put it in your mouth, chew and swallow it. It makes your stomach feel nice.”

“That’s not what I meant,” Maxwell grumbled, crossing his arms.

The clown rolled his eyes. “Please, you look like you could use a sandwich. I gotta go meet up with those buddies I was telling you about.”

“Hope the injured one gets better.” Maxwell chimed.

“That’s very kind of you, good luck on the friendly streets of the capital.” His cheeky smile and words brought a slight twitch in Maxwell’s lower lip.

He walked a ways forward before turning back one last time. He smiled at Maxwell, thumping a hand against his chest. “Remember the true battle is here.”

He ate the fruit gratefully. It was cold not that he could tell and its juiciness provided water as well. Finding water was even harder than finding food. The cleanest water he seemed to find was the one that piled in the gutters after a heavy rain although the dirty streets would turn it foul in less than a day. After the last bite he crossed his arms and closed his eyes in contemplation.

He needed to think. If he walked aimlessly along this world he would die. It was harsher than he had ever thought possible. How long had he even been in this world? A couple days? A week? A fortnight? He wasn’t even sure. He’d had to hide his identity in the beginning but his days were filled with the luxuries of a noble. SInce being warmly welcomed into the real world his days had been filled with misery and pain. He supposed the days would start to blend together with all that turmoil, no wonder he couldn’t recall exactly how long it had been.

He clutched his heart as the uncomfortableness traversed through his body. Even now recalling those memories I feel pain. I thought I sealed them off, or rather I thought I was beyond that no matter how much agony I go through these feelings won’t go away. They’re too painful to dwell on. I need salvation from them, whatever it takes… Ice formed around his hand spreading over his fingers and around his chest. That’s right, I need to harden my heart, I can’t allow myself to feel anything. I can’t allow those things to affect me. I must be cold, hard and lifeless like this ice. The coldness inside him ever since the day he was betrayed and fell down the cliffside intensified inside him. He took a deep full breath, inhaling completely with his chest and gut fully expanded.

He then exhaled breathing out a slow, powerful breath littered with frost. He blinked briefly before closing them again. Ok, now for my plan of action. I’ll die if I live on the streets for much longer. It's too hard to find food and it’s too dangerous to be out here without a shelter. I’ve already been attacked three times and each one could have ended with me bleeding out as my opponent watched me fade away. What are my options now, to get a job? He looked down at his ratty clothes, not a chance. He recalled how the stall-owner from that park had eyed him like some sort of nuisance the second he started talking to the man. The odds were certainly against him but he needed to earn money one way or another. What about stealing? The thought sent chills down his spine. He clenched his fist. He had never thought about it before, he wasn’t that type of person, was he? [Stealing tangent]. Stealing was something only criminals did, people who didn’t know any better. He shook his head. No, I’m deciding now I’m not going to steal, I’m better than that. I’ve lost enough. If I don’t have my morals then what do I have left?

He considered his job options. Adventurer? I don’t even know if that exists, sure this is a fantasy world but… He went through some possible jobs. Guard? As if, he was scrawny and barely looked like he could take anyone in a fight. Also more pressingly he looked shady as hell, which is the last person anyone would trust to, you know, guard something. Maybe if he went to church? I’m pretty sure they have stuff for homeless people or charity work. I think they mentioned something like that as well. He winced. Who knew how they would treat him now. He lifted his shirt revealing the scar tissue where his insignia had been. It’s probably best to avoid them for now.

He sighed in an exaggerated tone. He envied the woman from the park that time. The ones who had flocked over his unconscious body like a brood of chickens. Their dainty white fingered gloves and their flimsy summer umbrellas.

“There wasn’t even any sun or rain, why did they even have them!” He had gotten so caught up in his thoughts he had accidentally spoken aloud. “Tsk.” . They only know a life of comfort, they’ve never had to work a day in their lives.

He found himself yawning. Now that his body had a moment of long overdue peace the temptation of sleep beckoned to him. The clown said nobody would approach me as long as i stay here, I still don’t have a clue if I can take his word but I don’t know if I’ll have a better chance to slee….

His head drifted back until it rested against the rocky wall. Before he knew it he was sound asleep.