I know some things should just stay broken

i'm well aware this should remain unspoken

His chest rapidly rose and fell as Sterling darted into an alleyway, his beloved osprey cradled in his arms as the warlock sought shelter beside a dumpster - hoping his pursuers wouldn't glance down the darkened corridor. His back pressed against the cold brick of the building beside him as he squatted down, hoping the trash beside him at least obscured the warlock's form. A soft, near pathetic sound from his osprey drew the bright blue of Sterling's gaze downward. A crossbow bolt protruded from his familiar's chest - the very presence of it was one Sterling could feel within his own chest. Fiducia, after all, was hardly just a bird that followed him - she was far more akin of a physical manifestation of all of Sterling's powers and abilities, the depth of their very connection made the warlock entirely vulnerable. Any damage done to her was felt by him in turn. "Shhh, I know, I know." He murmured softly to the bird that stared desperately up at him. It was the sound of shoes on the pavement that drew Sterling's gaze upwards, the warlock froze in place as he listened to those shoes suddenly pause.

"Where did he go?"
"Probably up the cross street over there."
"No - he's nearby, I can feel him."

Shit. Sterling was entirely unaware of what he had done to garner the attention of the three hunters. His hand lifted to his mouth, the warlock trying to subdue even the frantic sound of his own breathing as he heard one of the hunters step into the alleyway he presently was attempting to hide within. "Come on out boy, we know you're there." It was the antagonizing sing song voice of the groups' tracker that caused Sterling to move. There was little point in hiding anymore - at least not here. He reached for his affinity, that fire he controlled largely his strongest and yet, his mere coaxing to that magic caused the bird in his arms to cry out in pain. "Shit. Sorry, Fid." He muttered under his breath, immediately ceasing his efforts and yet, it was too late, they had heard the sound too. Immediately, Sterling darted from his hiding spot, just as the three once again began their pursuit. He was only a few blocks from his apartment and yet, even Sterling wasn't sure if that would be enough of a safe place. No, he had to lose them first, somehow.

A sphere of magic blew past him, narrowly missing the warlock. It slammed into the wall beside Sterling, resulting in an explosion that sent brick and debris everywhere, the very power of it knocked the warlock off his feet. His body twisted in midair, Sterling nothing if not desperate to keep his familiar safe as his back slammed into the ground. The impact knocked the air out of him, wasting precious seconds he needed. The Dark Hunters were nearly on top of him, the blue-eyed boy tried to crawl backward but even as he eyed the mere feet between himself and the three hunters, Sterling knew, somewhere in the back of his mind, that the odds for his escape were remarkably low.

Sterling

I'm on the ledge while you're so
God damn polite and composed