wizard-of-the-pigeons

alley. “You’re safe now.”
There was no answer. Concern that she had been hurt more than he suspected
creased his brow. He stepped quickly back to the place where the killer had
crouched over her. “Where are you?” he called again, and spun as she broke
cover behind him. He caught a fleeting glimpse of her under the streetlamp as
she ran, her torn clothing clutched around her bruised body.
“Wait! I won’t hurt you!” he called after her and started to follow, only to
stumble over leather straps. He nearly fell.
Reaching down, he untangled her shoulder bag from about his stockinged
feet. Her purse, torn from her grip by her attacker and forgotten in her panic. He
heard the jingle of keys, felt the lump of wallet inside it. She’d need it. He
tucked it under his arm and ran after her.
By the time he reached the mouth of the alley and looked around, she had
already turned a corner and was out of sight.
He stood still, perplexed, flinching at the thought of her fleeing through the
dark streets with no way to get home, not even a quarter for the phone. Who else
might target her as a victim?
Then he chuckled at his own foolishness. Could he forget so soon? He
reached after her. There. The scent of her fear was as distinctive as perfume in
the cold air. He ran lightly after her, his robe and cloak rippling soundlessly
behind him.
Terror had spurred her, and she had fled like a rabbit, turning as corners
presented themselves to throw off her pursuer. Wizard felt a touch of pity for her.
She couldn’t know as yet that he meant her no harm. Yet her pathetic efforts to
elude him had a touch of humor he could not deny. It was like a toddler trying to
hide from the night things by putting a pillow over his head. In his night, in his
city, no one could evade him. For two blocks she eluded him with the winged
feet of fear. He caught full sight of her at last and called to her. “Wait!”
With a smothered shriek, she was off again. He paused and took a breath in
exasperation. The damp front of his robe clung to him annoyingly. With an
impatient shake of his head, he dried it and chased the chill from his body. He
stooped to pull up his socks, then wished them dried and water repellent. All was
as he ordered it. Why hadn’t he thought of it before? He supposed he had grown
long accustomed to discomfort and inconvenience. Now, where had the girl
gone? He closed his eyes and groped after her. He was getting better at this with