Eris stepped forward and spread her arms, shielding the small child behind her. Her back pressed against the trembling body.
The kid's fingers twisted desperately into the hem of her coat, pulling the fabric tight against her waist. Warm tears soaked through the cloth onto her skin as the child's breath came fast and shaky against her lower back.
The three men chasing the kid halted a few paces away. Their heavy boots scraped against the dusty street.
"Hey!" one of them shouted. "The fuck are you doing? Release him right now."
Eris clenched her fists at her sides. The child's small hands still locked onto her shirt, trembling.
"You really think I'll release a child into the hands of armed men?" she said. Her voice steady even as tension ran through her arms. "He's a kid. Tell me what he stole from you. I'll pay."
The biggest man, hefty with a crooked smile, stepped forward until he stood directly in front of her. His breath carried the sharp stink of alcohol.
