Silent Courage

Adam Shaffer

Silent Courage

       

Of all the possible mugging victims in the entire city, it had to be a mime. The one thing I am deathly afraid of. I can’t believe it. The mugger has a knife pressed against the white face paint that goes down the mime’s neck. Neither of them notice me, standing awkwardly on the sidewalk making a choice I thought only people in movies had to make; should I just walk away, or do what’s right? But to save something like a mime is an entirely different story. After sweating it out for a couple seconds, I decided that I would hate myself if I let anyone, even a mime, be treated like that. I stormed down the dark alley, trying desperately not to look at the menacing striped sweater, and focusing on the knife wielding thug helped. He turned to me, and soon the knife was focused on my throat instead.

        “Look pal, bein’ a hero is just plain stupid. Now you can give me your wallet, and I’ll add it to my collection.” he took a step forward a cruel smile spreading across his face; he thought that I was scared of him. In that moment, I completely forgot about the mime, the alley, and the safety of the street behind me; all I could focus on was him and his knife. One well-aimed kick later, and the mugger had dropped his knife, and was curled into a fetal position. I glanced up, and my heart stopped. The mime had stepped forward, and began to say,

“Hey, I’m not supposed to talk, but I just-” he stopped short, noticing that I had sprinted down the alleyway screaming.