Shady

"What do they look like?" Rana asked.

"That's so scary!" Rana said. She felt bad for Susan, even though she barely knew her. "So your sisters are out there, too? Do they need help?"

"I've got time," Rana said, offering a smile.

"Rana," Rana answered. She glanced around. "So... who's chasing you?"

Rana looked at the girl curiously. “What’s your name, anyway?”

"Oh, it's a..." Rana looked around, not quite sure how to explain it. She rubbed the back of her neck. "It's a place all the important people have forgotten about. ...

Rana was pleased that the girl was able to keep up. That was good. She led the way along a narrow plank along the wall in the room over from ...

Rana took a step back to make room for her, then took a deep breath. It was harder to make this trek while helping someone else. But it was worth ...

Rana leaned backward and pulled upward, hefting the girl towards the window and trying to help her get inside.

Rana glanced back and was glad to see that the girl was following her. She ducked between several vendors' stalls and eventually down a narrow alley that was barely wider ...

No? Rana felt her stomach lurch on the girl's behalf. She glanced around more urgently, then thought of the little hideaway that she shared with some street urchins when they ...

"Are you safe?" Rana asked, glancing over the girl's shoulder to see if she could tell whether someone was following her or not. If she needed to go into hiding, ...

"Oh, uh..." Rana hesitated, considering the odd question. "No, I don't think so. It's not mealtime and not evening so... I doubt there are many people there. Why?"

"Not really," Rana answered, smiling at her. She gestured down a street to the right. "It's just up this way a little bit."

"Oh." She must be trying to avoid someone. Rana could certainly understand that sentiment. "I know a neat little ale house. Do you want me to take you?"