The Sidewalk

There were four of them, coming straight toward him, but the girl looked heavily pregnant, so Danny thought he had a chance. He walked steadily, head down, trying not to make eye contact. Ten feet and closing. The guy in back said something and they all laughed, but then the tall one saw him. The knife slid out, glimmering under the streetlight. Danny slashed the strap and took off, the computer bag under his arm. He was running flat out, wondering if he should have gone for the girl's purse instead, when his toe caught a crack in the sidewalk.