X awoke, cold and wet. Where am I? he thought. He tried to push himself up but a wave of nausea struck him and he threw up river water. What the...? He looked about him. Suddenly his eyes rested upon a limp black-suited form about 2 yards away. "Elle!" he called. He rushed over the best he could in his weakened condition.

Rolling her over, X found himself gazing at Elle's face, which had turned a very sickly white and her lips a faint blue.

X gritted his teeth. Now he really wished he had read that manuscript on human first aid Zed had given him. The only part he read was checking for a pulse on the neck or wrist. First he checked the wrist but didn't find anything there. Then he checked for a pulse at the neck. He breathed a sigh of relief when he found a steady one.

By her labored breathing, X knew he had to get help quick. He scooped her up in his arms, shocked at how cold to the touch she was. Why do humans have to be so vulnerable to the cold? he thought miserably as he strained under her weight. He saw some apartments nearby and he stumbled his way to them.

Rosa sat upon her favorite armchair. As she knitted, she hummed contentedly to herself. It was only during daybreak did she get moments like this to herself. A whole hour before her nieces
awoke, setting the house into pandemonium. Chico, her old terrier, laid upon her feet dozing. Every once and a while Rosa stopped knitting to reach down and scratch his ear. The old, small pendulum clock chimed, announcing that it was 6 a.m. Chico sat up and scratched his ear with a lazy leg. Then let out a yawn.

Rosa chuckled. "Good morning to you too, old fella." She patted his side.

Suddenly a low growl emitted from his throat. These lead to a series of ferocious barks.

Rosa frowned. "What is it, Chico?"

The terrier leapt off her feet and ran to the front door. He whimpered as he began pawing at it. In her bones, Rosa knew something was wrong. Reaching for the broom, she swung the door open.

Out on the street was what seemed to be a brawl. A small band of black boys were surrounding a white-skinned man, who stood his ground instead of running.

Rosa frowned. Why isn't that man running away? she thought. Could he be so stupid as to try to fight the whole gang? Then the fight started. The white man pushed what appears to
be the gang leader.

Among the fisticuffs, Rosa spotted a body laying on the street. Then she realized that it was an unconscious white woman.

"Oh my heavens!" she cried. Then she ran towards the spectacle. "Break it up you hoodlums. Leave them alone before I call the police." She shook the broom menacingly at the gang leader who stood over the man's fallen body.

"We just trying to make him pay the toll for entering the hood, Miz Rosa."

"How can you think of money when this poor girl needs help? Now off with you."

The boys grumbled and left reluctantly.

X looked up at the woman who came to their aid. She was a large, black woman whose voice commanded with authority. Now she stood over him. "Don't you fret. You're in good hands
now."

X closed his eyes and sighed in relief. He had found help at last.