A trail of fire crawled up the tavern's counter like desperate vines rushing for sunlight before the nutrients failed and death caught up with them.   The aggressor's movements went according to plan.  It was his target's motions that didn't seem to know the script.  One second he was pushing the guy towards the flames and the next he was the only one in motion and the ground was coming up faster than any sedentary object had any right to. "What in the..."  The next word would've been hell, but the floor got to his face before the sound could exit his mouth.  "Damn it."

"Great!"  The purple hair woman sighed in frustration.  "Glad we've settled the fact you can take care of yourself."  She yanked the end of her chain back and quickly rolled it around her arm.  "The tension was killing me.  Now, can we please get out of here?"  The words were well out of her mouth before she was able to realize she didn't have a stake in the situation as she was in no way affiliated with the others still in the tavern.  "Or not, I'm getting out before the booze bombs.  Hope you guys make it out alright."  Without waiting for a reply, the stranger leaped from the window.  

The counter proved little obstacle.  The flames quickly reached the flat summit and snaked their way over the top  like a herd of cattle escaping a predator.  The edge meant nothing to the hive minded bovine and they continue onward like a herd of lemmings in a Disney documentary.   

"Don't you worry, little girl."  The masked figure grinned behind the metal plate covering his  face.  "Best case scenario for you, they're a few blocks off.  Worst case, they're here and there'll be a hale of bullets ready to great you once you're outside.  As for you, I was never a fan of your meat pies."  The man let out a manical laughter as he made another grab at the cook's leg. 

Unharmed the snaking flames touch the ground, and take off, not bothering for a breath, straight towards the wooden barrels of wine old Bill kept meaning to polish off on a rainy day but never quiet got around too.

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Outside, hoots and hollers from dozens of voices echoed up and down the empty streets.  The sounds came from every direction and they were getting louder, closer.