Newt groaned in pain as the assault on his face and chest continued. He tried to curl up on himself to try to protect as much of himself as he could but his assailants only grabbed his arms and legs and opened him back open. Newt screamed out in terror, wishing that someone nearby would come to investigate. But who would willingly head towards terrifying screams in a dark New York City alley?

"Scream all you want, pretty boy, no one's going to help you," one of the guys whispered in his ear. He laughed menacingly that only heightened Newt's terror. "Give me the bat. We'll see whose really looking pretty when I get done with him!" Metallic hit skin when the silver baseball bat was placed into the guy's hand. He rolled it around in his hands a few times before raising it over his shoulder and back down in one swift motion. Newt managed to roll out of the way just as the business end of the bat connected with the cement street.

"Just let me go, please! I won't go to the police, I promise. I just want to go home," Newt pleaded. Snickers could be heard from the goonies behind him.

"Pretty boy wants to go home. What do you guys think? Let him go or continue beating the living crap out of him?" the guy with the bat asked.

"Pretty boy needs to be taught a lesson. Only our boys can be selling on this street, boss," one of the smaller guys responded. Bat guy smirked at the idea and raised the bat again.

"Selling what? I'm not a dealer or a hooker if that's what you think! I work at the university bookstore and I'm just on my way home!" New practically begged with the widest eyes he could manage. A resounding track to his shoulder proved their disbelief in his words. Newt yelled out in pain and ears began to run down his face. A few more cracks across his ribs and chest were placed before they began to pull back.

"Good enough for tonight. Just remember, pretty boy, if I catch you on this block again, you'll get another ass whopping. Understand?" Bat guy asked. Newt grunted in response, ready to be left alone. The group left him on the ground, doubled over while he tried to right himself again. Newt's vision began to spot and dim around the edges when another voice called out.

"Hey, buddy. What happened to you?" the voice asked, closer now. A face spotted with moles swam into view that was topped with a mop of brown hair.

"I need…. a hospital. Got jumped," Newt managed out. He felt himself be scooped up in a pair of strong arms and carted away as carefully as the person could manage.

"You'll be okay. Just hang in there for me blondie. We're almost there." Newt gave into the blackness of unconsciousness, his mind okay in allowing a stranger to get him to where he needed to be for now.