The rain fell hard, pooling up and painting pictures on the slick wet asphalt. I ran as fast as I could through the city streets dodging cars and pedestrians alike. Ducking down a much less frantic side road, I tripped over a poorly laid cobblestone that sent me crashing down onto the rock hard ground.

"Fuck!" My anger and frustration got the better of me as I pounded my fists on the ground. Frigid rainwater splashed from the blow and further soaked my clothes, already dampened by blood and the torrential downpour that had persisted all night long.

I recovered, pulling myself to my feet. Ducking behind a lamp post, I looked all around but could see no one of significance. Those bastards had been chasing me since I fled Barrister's Tavern about a mile back. I made sure I was safe then felt around in my coat pocket. My fingers touched the wad of cash. A smirk formed on my lips; I'd beaten the odds again, no matter how narrowly, but I couldn't rest now. I was losing too much blood. I had to get out of the rain soon or I'd be a goner.

There was a tube station a few blocks away. Despite the burning pain in my lungs, I started running again. My body pleaded with me to stop. The wound in my back was agonizing; my body ached from both of the fights I'd been in that night, but I knew I must keep running. The dull glow of the underground was in sight. Slowing my pace, I stumbled down the stairs into the station.

Surprisingly, there weren't a lot of people around. I located the nearest bench and collapsed onto it. Reaching under my soaking wet clothes, I felt the wound on my back. The cut was deep. My fingers were coated in fresh blood. There was no way I could avoid the hospital this time. Without stitches I would bleed to death. Sighing heavily, I closed my eyes and rested my head against the brick wall. My hard fought match, the proceeding scuffle in the parking lot would be in vain. If I went to the hospital, all my winnings would be spent on medical bills. I couldn't afford to lose all that money now—it would be the first break I'd had in months. I was angry and ashamed that I'd been cut in the first place. I should have known I wouldn't have been able to leave the tavern without a fight when so much prize money was involved. My arrogance had cost me big this time.

"Are you alright?"

The unexpected question startled me out of my contemplation. The voice was soft, female, and American. I opened my eyes to see a young woman standing before me, concern in her deep brown eyes. Even through my pain and displeased state of mind I couldn't help but notice how beautiful she was.

"I'm okay," I mumbled, sitting up straight with some effort.

"You're bleeding…" she said, pointing at my reddened shirt.

I realized there was nothing I could say to convince her that I was indeed "okay". I knew I must have looked horrible being soaking wet and bloody, collapsed on a bench in the underground.

"May I take a look?" she asked tentatively.

The question took me off guard.

"I-I'm a medical student," she added quickly.

I was unsure of whether or not she was being truthful—she looked too young to be a medical student, surely not much older than eighteen years old. At the same time I wasn't in the position to deny free medical advice, even if it was only from a student. With some effort, I took off my coat and lifted my shirt. Her warm fingers caressed my back, tenderly appraising the wounded area.

"I think you need to go to the hospital. Your wound is deep and you're losing a lot of blood."

"I knew that much," I retorted as I rolled down my shirt, wincing in pain. "The trouble is I can't afford a trip to the hospital. If I can stop the bleeding I think I'll be fine."

"You'll bleed for days! You might lose too much blood if you try and stop it on your own!"

"I haven't a choice. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to catch a train home."

I attempted to get to my feet but the pain and fatigue were too much.

"Try not to move, you'll only make things worse," she said placing a hand on my shoulder. Her eyes searched the room. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"You'd best clear off. You shouldn't concern yourself with me if you know what's best for you."

"I often do things against better judgment. It makes life exciting, you see."

Looking her over, I found myself bemused by her persistence. I was too weary to argue with her, so I asked, "If the hospital is out of the question, what's the next best thing I can do?"

"Well, my grandfather is a doctor. He'd be able to fix you up for a lot cheaper than any hospital would. The trouble is he's out of town and won't be back until the morning. I can control the bleeding until he gets back, but it would mean you having to stay in his clinic overnight."

The thought of staying the night in a clinic was unappealing at best. "Can't you just fix it up for the night? I could visit the clinic in the morning."

"Do you have someplace to go?"

She had a good point. There really was nowhere for me to stay in the area, not without paying an exorbitant price for a hotel room.

"Please, just stay at the clinic. You won't be charged. Besides, I'll worry myself sick if you don't."

She seemed sincere when she'd said that. It was kindness that I'd never experienced from a stranger, let alone a beautiful female stranger.

"Why do you want to help me so badly?"

"I can't walk away now. It would be highly irresponsible," she said with a winning smile.

"Where's the clinic then?"

"I was actually on my way there. It's a couple of stops from here, not very far at all."

The train arrived a few minutes later. With her help, I was able to shuffle the distance to the train. She helped me sit down in an empty compartment. As the train rolled out of the station, I felt her eyes on me, burning with curiosity.

"So what brings you to the underground at 12:30 AM with wet clothes and a stab wound?"

My lip curled irritably. "I should ask you the same thing. You're pretty young to be out on your own at this hour. A girl like you could land yourself in trouble fast in a place like this."

She folded her arms, pouting. "I'm nineteen years old and I can take care of myself. Besides, I asked you first."

"I got jumped outside a bar. Some guy tried to mug me after…" For some reason I felt reluctant to admit to her that I fought for a living. I also felt embarrassed to admit that for the first time in my life not only had I nearly lost a fight but I'd run away when things started to turn nasty. She stared at me patiently, awaiting my explanation. "…after I won some money."

"Are you a gambler?"

"No!" The interjection was involuntary; I detested gambling for the lack of skill and dumb luck. "I'm a fighter."

"You're a boxer?"

"Yes, but not in the way you're thinking. I'm a bare-knuckle fighter."

"Interesting! My brother wrestles in the states. Not the same I know, but it is fighting in a way."

A tearing pain shot through my back. I closed my eyes trying to ignore the gaping wound in my back.

"I suppose you're in terrible pain. I'll leave you alone."

"It's not a bother. I've dealt with pain before."

I opened my eyes and looked at her. Her beauty once again captivated me. Her long russet hair fell around her shoulders in glossy layers. Her skin looked soft and pale like porcelain. I liked the way she smiled at me, the way her eyes lit up with excitement when she talked. She caught me staring and I looked away embarrassed.

"You still haven't told me why you're roaming about so late at night," I said looking at the floor.

"Well, if you must know, I was at the library for most of the night. I stopped at a café for dinner and got distracted by the music. They had a live band playing."

"They must have been good to keep you out so late."

"Not really. I just didn't want to go home."

I chuckled and instantly regretted it. Another searing pain radiated throughout my back.

"We're almost there," she said in a soothing tone, her hand on my thigh.

I focused on the warmth she exuded and the pain subsided.

"What brings you to England?"

"I'm visiting my grandfather. I suppose I'm also doing some soul searching, trying to decide what I want to do with the rest of my life."

"I thought you said you were a medical student."

She grinned sheepishly. "Well, that's not entirely accurate. Right now I'm assisting my grandfather in his clinic since I was considering a career in medicine. I'm not an official student yet but I'm working in the field."

"How do I know you won't kill me?" I asked with a smile.

"I guess you'll just have to trust me," she returned with a smile of her own.

The train was pulling into the station.

"I guess I should introduce myself. I'm Annabelle March, but everyone calls me Anna ."

"Wade Barrett," I said offering my hand. It fit around hers like a glove.

"Pleased to meet you, Wade." Her dark eyes twinkled with all their allure and I feared I was blushing.