e&tg 26

[rone]

I walked outside to find a few urchins taunting and throwing stones at Kohasadi, who was starting to look very unhappy.  "Hey, you little punks, cut that out!" i yelled.

They gave me the finger, threw stones at me, and yelled, "Snu, jay!"  Damn gutter punks and their gang slang.  They changed words so often that trying to learn their language was pointless.  I started walking towards them when an older kid walked out one of the alleys and yelled, "Agu!  Agu!"  That quieted the others down.  She turned to me and said, "Heh ma, Mwaele.  Haven't seen you in a while."

I peered at her; she had stick-straight hair in a long braid, slanted narrow eyes, and ears that stuck out.  I ventured, "Tuumag?"  She smiled, to my relief.  "Wow, you sure have grown.  It's good to know you can still speak Western."

"I can't forget it.  I have to run things here, dee ya?"  All of thirteen years old and in charge of a street gang — and i wouldn't bet a star on her making fifteen.  Still, she was sharp and tough.  She pointed at Kohasadi.  "That thing yours or something?"

"Yes, he's my friend.  Do you want to meet him?"

She laughed.  "Not eager to become beast food, Mwaele.  We'll be good to him and to you.  You want me to beat them?"  She pointed at the rock throwers.

I shrugged.  "Do what you think best.  I won't tell you how to do your job.  I'm moving out, anyway, so i probably won't see you for a while.  Maybe ever."

She nodded.  "You got lucky, get nice place.  I know you."  I didn't bother to correct her.  She added, "You be back someday.  Lei fuh, Mwaele."  She punched me in the solar plexus, then she led her band of miscreants into the alleys while i stood there groaning and bent over.