Chapter 3

            "Anyone else wanna go?" Joey said, turning to face the remaining three guys. Each was looking with wide-eyed amazement at their boss, and hurriedly shook their heads at the question, maneuvering themselves around Joey and taking off in the other direction down the alley.

            Joey sighed with relief once they were out of range, and rubbed his head again. Damn, I'd just got ridda that headache, too... He sighed and looked at the mugger again, giving him a finishing kick in the ribs, producing a breathless gasp from the guy on the ground. Then he went back over to the girl that lay still on the cement. He touched her shoulder gently, and she gave a small groan in reply. Joey's eyes widened as he looked at her, blood caked on her hair and skin and spots on her clothes. She turned to look at him, her eyes only half opened.

            "Hey, you ok?" Joey asked.

            The girl groaned again in response. She blinked a few more times to clear the haze from her vision, and found herself staring up into Joey's soft brown eyes.

            "AAH!" she screamed and leapt up away from him, readying herself for another fight.

            "Woah, jus hang on a sec..." Joey said, putting up his hands. The girl looked around,and noticed the other guy still on the ground, wheezing terribly.

            "What happened?" she asked, all business. She didn't drop her guard for a moment, but her eyes darted frantically from Joey to the guy on the ground and back.

            "Hey, you're ok now...isn't that what matters?" Joey asked.

            She took another step back. "You do that to him?" she asked, indicating the guy still groaning a few feet away.

            Joey nodded. "I was just trying to help..." he started.

            "I didn't need any help!" she snapped.

            "Didn' look like that ta me."

            She clenched her fists tighter, and looked like she was about to charge him herself. She never got the chance. She began rocking back and forth slightly, then crumpled to the ground. Joey rushed forward and caught her before she hit the ground too hard.

            "I think it's time ta get you to a hospital..." Joey started again.

            "NO!" she yelled. "You can't take me to a hospital. Whatever you do, don't take me to a hospital."

            Joey looked at her incredulously. "Whaddaya mean? You got blood all over, an' you're obviously hurt..."

            "They'll call my parents."

            Joey was silenced. He somehow knew exactly what she meant, and in that knowledge, he would honor her wish. "But we do have ta get ya a li'l cleaned up, y'know."

            She nodded. "I know a place, come on." She stood up, somewhat woozily, and led him through the alley. "I was actually on my way there when I was attacked." She stopped for a moment.

            "Sorry about that, too. I...never said thank you."

            Joey grinned his usual goofball smile. "Eh, it was nothin'."

            She smiled softly. "What's your name?"

            "I's Joey. Joey Wheeler."

            The girl smiled at him. "I'm Roxanne, but friends call me Roxie. Nice to meet you."

            Joey blushed a little, and wasn't quite sure why. "Back at'cha," he said, hoping his voice didn't give away his sudden nervousness.

            Joey scratched his head as he followed Roxanne. He couldn't think of a single time that a girl had ever looked at him quite like...that. He shook his head.

            What am I thinkin'? I did her a favor, she's grateful. I would be to if someone came along and saved my keista. Then again...wha's 'is funky feelin' in my stomach?

            Roxie led him to the back of one of the buildings. A rusted fire escape hovered a half-dozen feet above their heads.

            "Gimme that garbage can," she said, pointing a little further down the narrow passage.

            Joey obliged and wheeled the canister towards her, as quietly as possible amidst the loud echo of squeaky metal wheels. He held her hand as she hoisted herself on top of the container, and she helped him up. Her hand felt warm against his skin, and rejoiced at a touch that wasn't followed by a bitter sting. Roxie turned back to the fire escape, and leapt off the garbage can, grabbing the bottom rung and hoisting herself up the ladder until she was on the landing. The metal of the fire escape gave a creaking groan in answer to her weight, but it held.

            "See? Easy as pie," she said.

            "You gotta be kidding me," Joey replied.

            Roxanne shook her head. "Come on, Joey. You can do this. Prove yourself worthy!" she commanded in a proud voice, followed by a chuckle.

            Joey grinned, and followed her lead. He grasped the bottom rung of the ladder, but his weight swung him too hard and he lost his grip, falling hard on his back to the ground below.

            "Joey!" Roxie leapt off the landing and slid down the ladder, landing softly to the ground and rushing to his side. "Joey, are you ok?"

            The blonde sat up and rubbed his head. "T'ink I'll be seein' double for a few days, but 'at's no biggie."

            "Guess we'll have to take the long way," Roxanne said as she helped him to his feet. "Come on." She took his hand again and guided him around the building again, this time to the front door.

            "All dat trouble when you can walk in da front door?" Joey asked.

            Roxie shrugged. "It's more fun that way." Joey rolled his eyes and followed her into the building. To say that the interior was dismal was a severe understaement. Above their heads hung an unconvered lightbulb that gave off grim, gloomy light to a very small area. From what Joey could see, the walls of the inside of the building were battle-scarred with various water and fire damage, as well as signs of general neglect. The placed reeked with an odor that permeated everything, and Joey nearly gagged on the stench.

            "Sorry about that," Roxanne apologized, "but we won't be in here long. Follow me." Joey nodded and did as he was told. Roxie led him up several flights of stairs, or rather, what was left of them. Only one out of every two or three steps still existed, and those that did gave loud creaks under the slightest pressure, making their journey a loud one. Finally Roxanne stopped in front of a door at the top of the stairs and jiggled the knob slightly. She heaved herself at the door with her shoulder towards it, but it didn't budge.

            "Lemme try," Joey offered. He turned the knob and threw his weight at the door as hard as he could. It flew open before him, and he stumbled forward, landing nearly on his face.

            Roxie laughed. "Well that was graceful."

            Joey blushed as he stood up. "Got it open, didn' I?"

            Roxanne nodded and smiled at him. He finally had the opportunity to look around and realize that they were on the roof. She took his hand and led him to the edge. Joey's jaw dropped at the sight.

            "Dis is amazin'..." he breathed. Below them lay the city of Domino, sprawled out for miles in its glory. The city lights created a dotted patchwork of multicolored lights that burned vibrantly against the dark backdrop of night. Each individual bulb sparkled like glitter, and Joey felt his breath catch in his throat.

            "I come up here everynight," Roxie began, half-absently. "It feels like I'm looking down at the stars."

            Joey agreed. He felt like he had somehow found his way to heaven, looking down from clouds over his home, his friends, everything.

            I didn't know dis kinda beauty existed...

            His eyes widened slightly when he felt Roxanne's head against his shoulder. He looked at her both curious and nervous. Her eyes were closed; she looked so peaceful. Joey blushed slightly, but let her stay there, and gazed out at the blanket of stars below.

            Or maybe I did.