• I had seconds to defend, so I picked up the knife laying on a nearby counter, pointing it out in front of me. I heard a yell of pain and he stumbled to the floor.
    tab I stood there, staring, in shock. My brain was trying to process what had just happened, and was having no luck. I fell to my knees, and leaned over my mother. "Hey, mom. Are you alright?" I asked and shook her. "Mom... Mom?"
    No response. "Mom!?" I felt for a pulse. None? Did I wake up this morning?
    I laughed out loud, and put my hand to my forehead. "Are you dead? That can't be. He killed you? That b*****d killed you." I felt tears on my face.
    tab I had to get away from here... far away. I stood up, and ran out the door.
    I ran as far away as I could, not stopping. It was dark, and hard to see... I passed out by a building, somewhere...

    "Hey, you! Get up, you can't sleep here," I heard a voice say.
    Something, or someone, hit me in my leg.
    "Did you hear me? Get up!"
    I opened my eyes, sleepily. "Why?" I saw boots in front of me.
    "Because, you can't sleep here! Do you know what time it is!? A boy your age shouldn't be out this late," Said the voice, "Now, get up!"
    I sat up, letting my eyes adjust to the darkness. There was a girl looking down on me, her short, black hair curling around her face, as the leaned ford, and grinned. It wasn't a happy smile, but a smug look that said she was pleased I listened.
    "What the hell? Its too late for me to be out, but you look about the same age, and your still out. How old are you, any way? You have no right to tell me what to do." I don't think smart mouthing her is going to make things better on my half, but she was kind of pissing me off.
    "I'm 15, and I do have the right to tell you what to do, cause your the one trespassing on my property." Her smile faded, and she glared. "Now, what are you doing here?"
    "Well, I was sleeping peacefully, until you came along and woke me."
    "'Peacefully'? Ha! You were laying face down on the pavement, and looked like you just passed out."
    What really bugged me was the fact that she was right.
    "Now, you know what I meant. What are you doing here?" She asked, again.
    "I... I don't know." I said, looking down.
    She sighed. "Do you want to come inside? I can make some food." Now she looked concerned. Damn, her moods change fast.
    "I don't need you to feed me." I glared. It got quiet. My stomach growled, and she grinned, again. "Oh, really?"
    "Yeah, If I wanted to eat, I'd just-" I put my hands in my pockets, looking for money, and found none. She must have saw the look of realization on my face, because her smug grin widened.
    "You know, I could just walk away now. I mean, you did already say you didn't need me..." She trailed off, and started to leave. "Um, wait. I, ah..."
    "Yes?" Her grin was so wide, It pained me to accept her offer.
    "I could, uh, use your help..." I finished.
    "Ah, now, why didn't you just say so sooner? Could have save us allot of time."
    Her smile went from smug to pleased. "Come on," She held her hand out, to help me up.
    "I can get up myself, thank you." ...

    ************
    To Be Continued (in part 3)