~Bewitched~

She had no idea why she had done it. Any sane person would have run in the other direction screaming at the top of their lungs. The thing is that she had never been completely sane. It was a good excuse as to why she stuck around this shit hole for so long instead of applying to college.

She had been afraid at first. So afraid that her legs turned to jelly and she couldn't even scream. The noise she made when her back thudded against the wall when her legs gave way caused the monster to open it's eyes for just moment. The look was pleading… and so very tired. He looked so pathetic lying on the floor, his hand shaking just from the act of reaching out to her before he passed out once again. She could feel her womanly intuition kicking in. After that she didn't really have a choice.

So she helped him.

Getting him up the stairs was the most challenging part of it all. She couldn't exactly leave him on the couch, right in the open. Who knows when her mother would arrive back home. She had never been one for calling ahead nor planning things, neither had Ally. Like mother like daughter. So she was relieved when she finally got him on her bed. She could keep him hidden in here forever if need be. The one thing she greatly respected her mother for was her respect for privacy, although it came with a cost. Sometimes she wished for the prying questions that other mothers hounded the daughters with. At least then she would know she cared.

After all that she just stood there staring at him unbeknownst of what to do next. How was she to treat a gargoyle? She couldn't call 911. She was afraid to go near him again but eventually she made herself do so. There were cuts and bruises all along his right side, arm, and face. She assumed that this was the side that made contact when he smashed into her glass door.

She briefly left the room and returned with neosporin, gauze, tweezers, rubbing alcohol and cosmetic pads. She used the pads to make quite sure that the tweezers were clean with the rubbing alcohol before she proceeded to begin picking small pieces of glass out of his scrapes and cuts. At first she set them at the edge of her desk before returning to the kitchen to retrieve a bowl finding that there was more then she originally thought there would be. She stupidly used her hand to brush the small shards into the bowl and cut the outside of her pinky finger and she had to get up once again to get a band aid and run it under cold water. When she finally removed all the visible shards she applied the Neosporin before applying bandages. She was actually quite impressed with her work, besides the sloppy job on tying the bandages that is. She was no doctor but this would have to do for now. Maybe when he woke up he could inform her of where she could find him proper help.

For the time being she covered the gaping hole that used to be her back door with plastic wrap and duck tape. She would discuss with her mother later if they could afford to replace it. She thanked the lord that it was not winter and hoped that no one would notice the damage done to the house and take advantage of the fact.

In the morning when she went to check on him she was shocked by what she saw. He had turned to stone. She allowed herself to let her hand graze his just to be sure. She didn't understand what had happened. Could he be dead? She thought of calling into work sick. If her mother came home and he awoke so many things could happen. The one that she feared the most was that he may not be friendly. She couldn't leave her mother alone with him. The thought of leaving stocking duty all to Kyle didn't exactly feel make her feel too bad either…

"Hi, Shauna? I'm not going to be able to make it in today."

Part of her wanted desperately to call the police and tell them that a monster had vandalized her house and she wanted it out. But at the same time the helpless state he was in right now made her feel guilty for thinking that way. The thought of him sneaking up on her never left her mind. She wanted to know where he was at all times so this wouldn't be a problem. So for the rest of the day she plunked herself at her desk on the opposite side of the room and tried to concentrate on reading. It worked for a while, until she found a week of night shift catching up on her. Before an hour was up she found her head drooping. She told herself she was just going to rest her eyes for a minute. As soon as her head hit the makeshift pillow she made out of her sweater she didn't stand a chance. She was out like a light.

Finally the blue sky was replaced by brilliant hues of red and orange as the sun began to set. But New York City did not sleep. Some of it's inhabitants were only awakening…

A deafening sound echoed through the room waking Ally from her deep sleep. She jumped back, falling out of her chair, and watched in horror as the stone fell away from the gargoyle's body and a horrendous roar escaped from it's mouth. It leapt to it's feet and stared at her. It's eyes glowed a brilliant shade of white. Ally couldn't even scream. She sat there petrified. As if it was able to smell her fear, it began advancing towards her.

"Stay away from me!" she screamed. The monster stopped dead in its tracks. The demonic glow of it`s eyes faded to ebony and the look in them became quite somber.

"Don't be afraid," he pleaded, "I won't hurt you." He knelt down and outstretched his hand to her causing her to flinch back and instinctively put a hand up to protect herself. "Please… don't be afraid…" He looked so put out she couldn't help but empathize with him. After a few moments she slowly put her shaking hand into his. He smiled and helped her back onto her feet.

"I'm Brookyln."

Ally swallowed realizing her mouth was very dry, "I'm Ally."

"Were you the one who did this?" he asked holding out the bandages that had been torn off during his transformation. She nodded. "Thank you," he said smiling genuinely at her.

"You're welcome," is all she managed to squeak out.

"I should go," he said bowing his head realizing he wasn't welcome and turned towards the window.

"Wait!" she went to put a hand on his shoulder and pulled it away just as quickly when it came in contact with his wing instead, like it was something disgusting, like a worm or bug. He turned back halfway and gave her a questioning look.

"I mean, aren't you hurt? You were pretty roughed up last night. How are you even walking?" She said really fast, jumbling some of her words.

He chuckled, "I'm fine now. My stone sleep healed me," he said holding up his now uninjured arm for her to examine.

"You turn to stone when you're sleeping?" she asked. He nodded. "Then why weren't you stone when I found you?"

"Uh… well… I'm not so sure it would be a good idea…" Ally inclined her head and listened to his babbling curiously. "Well you see… I'm not sure it'd be a good idea to just go spewing our secrets to just any human-"

"But I helped you!" Ally said. She could feel her fear melting away and being replaced by anger.

Brooklyn averted his eyes to the floor. "You're right, I'm sorry. It's just, not everyone is very fond of Gargoyles you know? I just don't want to endanger my clan."

Ally was taken aback. She could feel the guilt setting in for the hundredth time that day, "I'm sorry."

Brooklyn shook his head, "Don't be," and with that he took perch at her open window and let himself drop. Ally gasped and raced towards it but as soon as she got there he was already flying off into the night.