Vigor was a bit weary for a rematch with Kid Blink, but she didn't seem to
have a choice. No one else would sell papers with her, and Jack wouldn't
let her go off on her own. She decided to get her papers and leave before
anyone would notice. Once she was past the gates, she snuck off into the
alleys. She had no idea where she was going, but it didn't really matter.
She was free and finally able to think things out clearly. She sold her
papers without any problems by adding a couple improvements here and there.
She realized that she was still smiling as she headed back into the alleys
to figure out the way back. She found herself getting deeper and deeper
into the alleys and the people becoming more and more sparse.
She was brought from her thoughts when she started to hear footsteps behind
her. Warning signs were going off in her head. She turned a corner and
listened for the footsteps to follow. When they did she took off running
only being able to hear the pounding feet following her. She ran as softly
and as quickly as she could. She turned a corner every once in a while
hoping to lose her pursuer. The only thing she was succeeding at was
getting herself even more lost. The footsteps were echoing loudly and she
knew that there were more people behind her now. When she turned the next
corner she saw it was a dead end. Before she could head in another
direction, three young men quickly blocked her path. She had to think fast!
Each young man had a menacing expression on his face as they started to
close in on her. She looked down at the ground hoping to find something to
use in her defense. She saw a piece of wood, but getting to it was going to
be the hard part. She started to retreat getting herself closer and closer
to the weapon. When she was close enough she snatched it and charged.
She started tearing into them one by one, but there were too many. Vigor
watched in horror as the piece of wood was broken in two and snatched out
of her hands. She didn't have a chance to make up a new plan or even
retreat. All three of the young men pounced on her at the first
opportunity. She defended herself as much as possible, but the blows kept
coming. One punch got through to her stomach sending her gasping for air.
Right when she expected the hits to keep coming they stopped.
She looked up between quickened breaths to see Kid Blink fighting the gang.
He wasn't a bad fighter after all, Vigor observed. She was drawn from her
admiration of Kid Blink's flexing muscles when someone yanked on her hair.
She felt a knife pressed at her throat and the grip on her hair tighten.
How typical; the helpless girl is held hostage while the hero saves the
day, Vigor thought. Her breathing was a lot steadier now and she could
think clearly. It didn't take long to come up with a plan. She elbowed her
captor in the ribs and felt the knife jump from her throat. She turned and
continued her attack. Vigor made sure that her friend with the knife
thought twice before attacking a girl again. Once she was finished with
him, she decided to give Kid Blink a hand. Together they finished off the
thugs. They couldn't help but smile at each other once it was over.
"Where'd ya learn ta fight like dat?" Kid Blink asked her as he kept the
smile on his face.
"Catholic School." Vigor declared before she could think about it. She
wanted the hit herself in the head a couple of times. Before he could
respond, Vigor interjected, "Don't ask, it's a long story." She waited for
the silence to pass between the two of them before she said anything else.
"So, how'd ya find me?"
"I followed ya into da alleys." He replied with a shrug making sure not to
specify how long he'd been following her.
"Oh, so who were dose guys?" She asked, some what thankful to change the
subject once more.
"One of da many fellas 'round New Yawk. Dey's pretty protective ova deir
alleys. It's deir turf and dey don't let many stay on it for very long."
They looked around and heard voices start to echo through the alleys. They
didn't have to say anything to each other, they just started to run.
Once they were clear of the dark and treacherous alleys, Vigor couldn't
help but crack up. "What a day!" She exclaimed flashing a smile at Kid
Blink. He couldn't help but smile back. In spite of everything, she just
stood there laughing to death. He decided to take a risk and step closer
towards her. She was still smiling at him so he risked another step.
Vigor's grin was slowly fading as Kid Blink brushed a strand of hair out of
her eyes and gently tucked it behind her ear. He kept his hand on her cheek
and stared deep into her blue eyes. Vigor stared into Kid Blink's eye and
couldn't help but grin. He smiled back and slowly lowered his head towards
hers. Vigor watched as he came closer inch by inch. As their lips came
together, they wrapped their arms around each other. They stood there
enjoying every moment, but were interrupted when they heard a gasp of
surprise. They turned to see an elderly woman standing there holding her
rosary, crossing herself, and mumbling prayers as she walked away. They
both cracked up as soon as she was gone. Kid Blink took Vigor's hand and
led her back to the lodging house.
