1One moment can change your life forever. All it takes is one single step in the direction opposite of the one you were moving in to alter the coarse of your very existence. I am a great believer in fate. I have always felt everything happens for a reason, whether it is good or bad and while we can alter it by never taking the step, without that motion would your life truly ever be lived?

I have always been different from everyone else. From the time I was old enough to have coherent memories I knew I was unique. My life has always been shaped by perfecting myself, molding my psyche into the perfect functioning unit. Trying to make myself into a being that can maintain their existence on a completely solitary level. Interaction with other humans bothered me, mostly because I always seemed to end up losing the ones I cared about and being left all alone. It all started with my parents. They didn't see fit to stay with me and instead dumped me off on my grandparents and took on there own pursuits. I learned much about selfish, in grateful ideals in my seventh year of life and I vowed never to be consumed by them myself.

This is problematic when you are a child. It's hard to deal with being alone when you see so many seemly happy people around you, but I quickly learned how shallow it all was and I quickly lost what little faith I had left in humanity. Still I lived my life with dignity and vowed to treat other with whatever respect I could muster from the way they treated me. Surprisingly enough I did inquire a few friends. People I found to share similar ideals to my own. People I grew to respect immensely, but I'll speak more about them later.

The one area where I had absolutely no luck was with men. I tried my very best to date. To put up the "normal" girl appearance, but most men revolted me. Their cavalier attitude was disgusting. I hated being treated like a mere possession or object for them to lay claim to, or to play with when the whim hit them. Selfishness maddened me and steadily I grew more alone.

Guys that would at one time talk to me, flirt with me stopped trying. They realized I was being cold to them that I had no interest in the idiotic mind games most of the population seems to play. I don't understand why it seems like everyone is trying their best to acquire whatever they can from anyone else with as little cost as possible to themselves. How could a man honestly expect you to give yourself to him and ask nothing in return? I found myself growing embittered thinking more and more that the people around me were even stupider, then I had dare dreaded and slowly my hope of ever finding someone to compliment me was crushed.

If it simply wasn't enough that I couldn't stand the selfish nature of most men, it also really bothered me that most of them didn't seem to grasp the concept of honor. They didn't understand doing the right thing simply to do it because it was the right thing. Every action was a game of what they could get out of it. That disgusted me and the more men I dated the more I realized that they were weak idiots. No matter how much weight they could bench it didn't matter within the context of their values, for most people are so morally light.

So in the end I gave up and grew bitter. I felt being alone and watching out for myself was more important, then settling for some ingrate who would probably turn right around and stab me in the back. That didn't mean I wasn't lonely. Everyone grows lonely. We all wish for someone who will understand us. Who will listen to our prattle and not only understand, but care what we are saying. In the end, I felt I would never find this. That was until I took the step into the other direction and the unexpected did happen.

Out of my small collection of friends I have two I care deeply about and neither of them lived near me. So it happened one summer I had the chance to visit New York City and see both of them at the same time. I was thrilled; it was finally a chance for me to let loose and really just enjoy myself. When I arrived the first night and we got our hotel room in Midtown I found it kind of odd coming back to NYC. I've lived in Upstate New York for my entire life, but it was only recently that I started to visit NYC on a fairly regular basis and it was sort of odd to me, because it was like the more I went there, the more it felt like my home away from home each time I arrived.

I was beginning to understand the heart of the City, because it was very aptly called the "urban jungle". There was a way of life, rules that one has to live by here that doesn't apply to any other place I have ever been and the more you get comfortable with these rules the more you feel at home in this place. My friend Melinda and I arrived at the airport right around the same time, my flight arriving about fifteen minutes before hers. We had gotten a hotel room together. Nothing fancy but it would be comfortable for just the two of us and then later the evening we were going to meet my friend Susan for dinner and a show. My friend Susan had been staying in the city for a while with her brother so she knew all the best places to go. I have to admit I was fairly excited.

Melinda had seemed down a lot lately. I knew she had a hard time with her family and a lot of the people around her and sometimes I felt helpless to do much for her because of the distant between us so I was determined for her to have fun for our two week trip. It had been hard talking her into going away for so long, but after I had managed to swing getting the time off of my job, I knew I had to convince her. It was the city in the end I think that was her major drawing point. I knew she loved it even more then me and the chance to spend so much time there, just enjoying the life and the culture was too much of an attraction for her.

We arrived at our hotel and Melinda seemed more distracted then usual. I could tell something was weighing on her mind and tried to ask her about it but mostly she just brushed it off telling me was fatigued. It made me worry, but I didn't press her. I knew if she needed to tell me something she would at her own pace, so I called my friend Susan and finalized all of our plans for the evening. That was when Melinda dropped the big bomb on me.

"Lea?" I looked over at Melinda as I hung up on Susan, curious by the tone of her voice. "I don't think I'll be able to go tonight." Her expression was sheepish. "I know you took a lot of time to make these plans, but I don't feel very good, I think the airplane ride has made me ill."

My expression became worried; I crossed the room swiftly and gently placed a hand on Melinda's forehead and then my own testing for her temperature. "Well you don't feel warm Sis," I considered. "You probably just have jetlag, you should rest." I couldn't hide the mild disappointment in my tone. I had chosen the show tonight A Man From OZ, with Melinda in mind, mostly because it was staring one of her favorite actors Hugh Jackman. "I'll call room service and get them to bring you up some soup." I looked at the clock I knew I would have to leave within minutes in order to meet Susan to eat before the show. "You just promise me you'll get rest okay? I want you to feel better for the rest of the trip."
Maybe it was just my imagination but I swore I saw a guilty expression cross Melinda's face. Then it almost seemed like she was trying to push it back to hide it so that I couldn't see. "Yeah I'll get some sleep." She readily agreed with me and I didn't press the subject. Deep down in my gut I felt like something was wrong, but I ignored it. I tended to view myself as a bit paranoid at times and I didn't want to be over judgmental.

"Well just take care of yourself Sis, okay? " I sighed. "Look I have to go right now but I should be back sometime around ten, so get some sleep and I'll bring you back something from the show, okay?" I gave her a worried look. I felt bad just leaving her in the hotel room while I went out to roam about the city.

"Don't worry about me." She smiled. "I'm just going to sleep and maybe watch TV, then I'll be all rested up and ready for tomorrow." She nodded, and seemly the subject was closed. I got my jacket and purse and called room service to order Melinda's food.

"If you need anything you have my cell number okay? Don't hesitate to call." She smiled at me all snuggled up in her bed and I couldn't help but smile back. "Okay I'll see you later Sis, feel better!"

"Be careful!" I could hear her calling out to me as I shut the door behind me. Sighing again, my expression still mildly worried I walked down the hall and out of the hotel to get on the subway. I was meeting my friend Susan in Chinatown for dinner before the show. I just hoped Melinda would be alright why I was gone.

The show was fun. About half way through it Susan finally realized that Huge Jackman was the same guy that plays Wolverine in the X-Men movies, which lead to me having a laughing fit through the later half of the show. She wanted to go for coffee afterwards but honestly I was just too tired and I was worried about Melinda so I declined. It was around 9:30 by this time and I knew by the time I rode the subway home it was be very close to ten so I got going.

I've always liked the subway. Watching the people around me fascinates me. NYC is such a diverse place, you see people from every walk of life and almost ever circumstance throw into one area. A young guy sat next to me and tried to strike up a conversation with me. He was wearing a Frat tee shirt from NYU, which made me completely lose all amount of interest in him within moments. Quickly he gave up and changed seats. Judging me to be strange because I didn't share his love for the MTV reality shows he kept talking to me about trying to get on.

A man got on at the next stop that grabbed my attention. He was tall and built, very strong. With shaggy black hair that kept falling into his eyes, But what I found really interesting was he was wearing a trench coat and underneath, you could see he was carrying a baseball bat. I wondered what type of trouble he was going to get himself into tonight. He glanced over at me. I looked away smirking slightly.

"You got a problem?" His New York accent was very strong, he came and sat on the seat opposite me, considering me, my eyes flicked back over to meet his. I kept my expression neutral not certain what would set him off and with a weapon on him I had no desire to find out.

"Not at all", I smiled. "Just admiring the view" I wanted to gag on my words, but held back inwardly rolling my eyes. Hoping if the idiot thought I was flirting with him he wouldn't take any offense.

"Yeah well, can't blame you there." He leaned back, his arms resting on the top of his chair. "You're not from around here are ya? Ya got a weird accent." His expression was simply, straightforward. I nodded, dropping my guard a little. I didn't think this man had the mental capacity to try anything funny with me.

"Visiting, with a friend. Just got back from a show." I was honest, but not really clear about anything. I had no reason to trust him. I looked up as the car slowed. We had two more stops before I got off.

"Well you should be careful. This city is dangerous. Lots of crazy dudes running around, including me." He smirked and held his hand across the isle. "Name's Casey Jones."

I felt myself smile honestly at him; he was almost charming in a simpleton kind of way. "Nice to meet you Casey, my name's Lea." I shook his hand, he grip nearly hurting me. I realized this was not a guy you wanted to get on the bad side of. I sat back, rather amused by him and with my head gestured towards his coat and the not very hidden bat. "That part of your craziness?" Curiosity got the best of me.

He smirked and patted the weapon through his jacket like a pet or an old friend. "I have to take care of myself. Never know when some dude will try to mess with ya and ya got to tear his sorry ass apart." He grinned, looking rather proud.

I chuckled. "Well I guess that as good of a reason as any. The subway car pulled to a stop and I realized it was time for me to exit; I stood collecting my things and bowed my head to him in farewell. "It was nice meeting you Casey, be careful with whatever it is you plan to do tonight." I smirked and turned to walk away.

"Yeah same here Lea." He turned to look at the stop, thinking. "Be careful, just because you think you're in a good area doesn't mean you are." He looked serious for a moment, which sent a chill down my spine.

"Yes well, thank you." His words made me uncomfortable and I quickly exited. Turning as the car pulled away to see him waving. Thinking the entire exchange was odd, I started to exit. I scolded myself for talking so freely to someone I didn't even know. Knowing that's how people get themselves into bad situation. Truthfully though Casey didn't seem like a bad guy, just a little dense. I walked swiftly not meeting anyone eyes, just wanting to get back to the hotel room now. Casey's warning about my area repeating in my head.

I fumbled with the key, but finally wrestled the door to my room open and nearly fell inside. I started laughing thinking about how stupid I must look, but the laughter died in my throat, because as my head lifted I noticed the room was empty. Concerned I shut the door and was shocked to see our bathroom behind the entrance door was empty. My blood ran cold. Tossing my things on our table and rushed over to Melinda's bed hoping to find a note of some kind that would shed some light on her where a bouts, but instead found nothing.

I could feel myself starting to panic, but forced my breathing to slow and myself to grow calm. I picked up the phone and called down to the main desk asking if Melinda had left me a note down there. They didn't know anything. I barely got the words out to thank them, panic was rising within. Where could Melinda have gone this late at night all alone? Suddenly Casey's words rang out in my mind, about our area about no place in NYC being safe. Tears sprang into my eyes. I felt helpless, it was a state of being I hated to be in.

Picking the phone back up I dialed the police and was promptly put on hold. I was crying now worry coursing through my body. I waited on hold listening to the silence. Wishing someone would just pick up, I just needed a voice to talk to, someone to tell me everything was going to be all right. Finally a dispatcher answered. In a rush I explained everything that had happened. Politely the voice on the other end listened, but when I had finished asked me how long my friend had been gone. When I answered a few hours at the most, suddenly there whole tone changed. The dispatcher explained to me that until my friend was gone for at least 24 hours the situation was out of there hands and that maybe I should just try to clam down and wait.

I slammed the phone down, bile rising in my throat. Disbelieving how cruel someone who was suppose to be helping me could be. I started to change out of my clothes. Not wishing to run around the city in the nice clothes I had worn to the show. It was in the midst of my changing that I heard the door opening, I turned wide eyed as Melinda entered and my face became pale. She was beat up; it was obvious to anyone that would have seen her. Her face and arms where bruised and her shirt was torn. I let out a startled cry as our eyes meet.

"WERE IN THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN! WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?" I gestured toward her battered figure she just looked away an ashamed expression on her face.
"Please don't be angry Lea, I just, I did something stupid and I guess I paid for it." She walked past me to sit down on her bed and started to pull her shoes off. It appeared to me she wasn't going to say anything else.

"Where have you been?" My voice became desperate. "I thought, well I thought you were dead. Why would you leave Melinda, I thought you were sick?" Annoyance and confusion were thick in my voice.

"Look," Melinda started to get defensive as I kept drilling her with question. "I just had to do something and it wasn't the best choice but," Her face became soft. "Something happened that was good too, at least I think so. Lets just drop it until morning I am tired." She started to pull back the blankets on her bed again. Sounded like she was about to close the subject.

"Drop it! You just scared the living HELL out of me and you expect me to just forget it with one shrug of your shoulders. Melinda be honest with me. What is going on!" My voice was exasperated. I was too worried at the moment to even care if I sounded like a bitch. I simply couldn't understand what my friend was even thinking.

Melinda's face became hurt. "Look you wouldn't understand okay. You walking around so noble and distant, you wouldn't understand the pain I am going through. How alone I am." Tears sprang into her eyes and she gave me a desperate searching look.

My immediate reaction was to attack. To scream at her for even suggesting I wouldn't understand what it was like to be alone, but I held off. I knew she didn't mean anything by her words; she was pained, just the same as me. "Look Sis," my voice was soft I was choosing my words carefully. "I understand better than you think. Still that doesn't mean you should," I studied her and cringed. "You shouldn't find ways to hurt yourself. As alone as you feel I am here and it hurts me when I see you putting yourself through pain. Now please, what happened?" I fought back my tears knowing I had to stay strong for her.

Melinda sniffled and sobbed quietly, drinking in everything I was saying with sad eyes. "I, I lied to you earlier today. I wasn't sick. I just wanted to go out. I wanted to go somewhere you wouldn't approve." Her eyes downcast and she shivered a little. I could see the guilt written all over her.

"Sis, where did you go?" My tone became serious, "are you alright?" I looked at her bruises and an unsettling fear over took me. She nodded still making soft crying noises.

"Yes, I," her eyes went down again. "I went to the Bronx Lea." She paused as if waiting got my protest, but I held my tongue listening and she continued. "I got myself into a bad situation. I was," painful silent. "Attacked." My eyes shot wide open and I let out a startled cry.

"Melinda! By who, what did they do to you, do you need to go to the doctors?" Melinda shook her head violently; showing her displeasure at the idea.

"No I am fine, actually they barely had a chance to touch me, and some guy saved me." The soft smile once again spread across her face and my fear turned into curiosity and the positive reaction she seemed to have to her protector.

"Who was he Sis?"

She shrugged. "I don't know actually I never even saw him clearly, but he gave me this." She held out a sheet of paper, I had failed to notice she was almost clutching it to her. I read its contents and my eyebrows raised.

"This is all a little odd, but well, you seem interested are you going to try to contact him, at least to thank him?" Melinda shrugged.

"What would the point be, I am certain it's nothing. I mean he wouldn't even have an actual conversation with me." She spoke one thing, but her eyes betrayed her. There was so much hope and longing contained within her stare I know knew what my next mission was. I had to help her find this man, this guy that had set her world so asunder.

"You're right Sis, it's late." I glanced back down at the information before handing the note back to Melinda. "Let's gets some sleep and we will talk more about all of this in the morning." Already I had made up my mind that we were going to go to this April's house that was written on the note, because I could tell Melinda would regret it if we didn't.
Melinda nodded and I watched her look down at the note again herself, her expression distant. I went into our bathroom and readied myself for bed. Walking back into the main room I could see Melinda was already laying down and I flopped into my own bed turning off the light and stared at the ceiling for a while, my wind swirling with thought. Finally Melinda's voice broke my concentration.

"Thank you for understanding everything, Sis. I'm sorry to worry you so much." She didn't even turn but continued to just lay there looking away from me. I knew she still felt guilty and didn't want the thoughts so weigh on her.

"Don't worry about it." I shifted to stare at her back. "What's most important is that you are alright and that everything turned out okay." She made a soft agreeing noise and fell silent. After a while I finally drifted off to sleep.