Chapter 12: Midnight walk

I sighed heavily as I sat down on the bunk of the Manhattan Lodgin House.

I had talked with Race some more, but it didn't seem to be helping.

"Race, I gotta go…for a walk…" I told him.

"Alone, but…I wont letcha, ya don't even know who's out ta get ya!" He said.

"Look, I'll walk toward Brooklyn, I jist need ta be alone is all…" My voice dragged off as I headed for the door. Before he could say another word I was out on the streets just as the sun was setting.

I half wished he had come after me, but the other half told me that it was better to be alone…for now.

I headed toward Brooklyn, I didn't know why, but I wanted to be around there, not Manhattan.

I didn't realize how far I had walked as I could already see the bridge beneath my feet. I looked behind me as if wanting to see Race, but turned back as I realized it wouldn't happen. He was probably worried…I thought, but a voice interrupted me.

"What are ya doing here?"

I looked up and saw Spot looking at me from on a rooftop.

"I jist couldn't be in Manhattan today is all…nuthin against nobody…" I looked down "Why ya out on da streets now?" I asked him.

He jumped down and replied "I should be asking ya da same t'ing, ya need a place ta stay or you'se gonna go back ta Manhattan?"

I sighed, I guess I really hadn't wanted to come here.

"I'm actually gonna go back…" I looked down again. Not wanting to look into his eyes. But I did…and I broke down…

"Look, I jist don't want Race ta get hoit, I jist know's it'll be all me fault…" I fell into his arms and he held me tight.

"Look, why do ya t'ink Race'll get hoit, he's can handle himself…"

"I know!" I said pushing away from him. "I know…"

"Look, I'll walk ya back ta Manhattan…" He turned me around and put his arm around my shoulders.

"I don't want you to walk me back, I can handle it, it isn't that far." I pushed away from him again and glared madly into his eyes. I hated how he thought I couldn't take care of myself.

But what I saw made me gasp, I saw hurt and defeat in his eyes and it made me feel guilty, like I caused it…

"Ok, I'se neva wanted ya ta leave…"

"What…?" I said as the change of topic startled me.

He sighed and looked up and me. "When ya came here, I was kinda excited, we didn't get goils like you, your different…you don't need ta be saved like all da others…" I waited for him to continue "I liked ya, and I hated that ya liked Jacky boy…"

I interuppted him "Me….Like….Jack?!" I said, almost laughing. "What gave ya that insane idea?!"

His cheeks flushed pink.

"I jist thought…ya know…when ya saw him, ya went all soft, like ya had ta get away from e and stuff…"

"I did have to get away from you, I knew you'd figure out what happened to me and I didn't want that, so I left…and fell in love with Race…"

There was an awkward silence.

"Ya love him?" He asked looking down.

"Yea…and he loves me too Spot, a lot…and…I can walk on my own, it's ok, really." I added, as I saw the look of uncertainty on his face.

I took a step closer to him and kissed him on the lips "But it was a sweet offer, night Brooklyn."

I turned and headed over to Manhattan.

*~*Back in Manhattan (told in Race's 1st person)*~*

"Jacky boy, I shouldn't have let hoir go, I shoulda gone after hoir…" I said as I nervously paced the floor of the bunk room.

"Shes fine Race! She can take care of herself! I promise ya dat!" Jack said trying to help, not that it was working….

"I knows…I know she aint gotta be saved, I jist worry…"

I was stopped as I heard a tap on the window, I looked up and saw her on the roof. Race remembered Spot telling her that the same thing had happened in Brooklyn…

*~*Back to Stormy;s 1st person view…*~*

I looked in the window and saw Race pacing…*Aww, how cute…he cares…* I laughed and them knocked on the window. For a second he looked relieved, but it quickly changed to anger and concern.

"Where were you?! You could have been killed! I knew I shoulda gone after ya! I knew it! And didn't this happen before? With Spot? He told ya that ya had a curfew and ya didn't listen! And I mean, I know ya can take care of yaself and ya don't always need me there for protection…" He said softening his voice as he saw the scared look on my face…I had never seen him so mad.

"Look," I said putting my hands up in a surrendering manner "I wasn't really alone, I'se met up wit spot…I knew he followed me from da rooftops…" I "forgot" to mention the fact that I had kissed him.

He pulled me into a tight hug "I'se so glad ya safe…"

I loved being held but I couldn't breathe so I politely pulled away and looked at him. "I'se gotta get ta sleep…" we shared a bed now so we both sat down and he fell asleep holding me.

I was awake. I don't know why, but I just couldn't sleep. *That kiss was nice…* I said smiling. *Wait, what am I thinking?! Ugh, the darkness must be getting to me…* I closed me eyes and drifted off.