Tony shook his head again, slowly this time with his eyes closed, stumbling closer to Billy to drape an arm around him and lurch together into-- not quite an alley, just buildings spaced far enough apart, ignorant of the people doing their spit takes and giving them wide girth. His gun bounced heavily against Billy's shoulder, his wrist loose and unguided. He fell against the wall, trying to catch his breath, slow his heart enough to last a few more minutes, and with his head lolled back and eyes still closed he thunked the butt of the pistol against his chest to indicate the problem. He just needed a minute.
"Don't talk to anyone," he started to instruct, rubbing his wrist against his neck, then across his mouth, dropping it to wipe the sweat on his sheet. "Don't trust anyone," he continued, finally dropping his head to try to meet Billy's gaze. "If someone offers you help, offers you a ride--"
Thought. Where'd it go, catch it, pin it down. Tony's head rolled to press his cheek to the cool wall, squinting out at the road, jostling his battery again as a car slowly rolled by. Not the predominant mode of transportation this end of town, it had to battle against the pedestrians that dominated the street, but it was a car. Taking the car would be a little obvious. He shoved the plastic container towards Billy and stumbled out of the alley.
Out in the street, the sun blinding outside of the building's shadows, crowded enough to brush shoulders and smell the bitter sweat of a hundred bodies, the single car's horn blared. The wild-eyed wanderer overtook it as it eased to a stop to let a cart laden with textiles pass. The driver wasn't certain what to make of this man leaning blearily against the car's nose, but he certainly didn't want to have to figure it out. A battery was dropped on the hood, a hollow thud, chipping the already flaking paint. Then the man's hand dropped, making the same thud, too heavy and metallic to be just his fist. The driver had to take a moment to make out the barrel of a gun, and then he stared at it, unable to meet his assailant's eyes through the windshield again.
It knocked against the car's hood once, twice, a calm and patient instruction.
Not far behind them, there was a commotion at the entrance to the harbour.