I sat in the back of the alley, worried I was gonna freeze to death. I'd have scrunched myself up, knees to chest, but my left knee throbbed and bending it would be torture. Instead, I sat there, back against the wall, and sobbing. I couldn't believe what I had done. I rolled up my left pant-leg. They were stolen. I'd wanted to get a shirt so I didn't look so out of place. Girls don't wear pants. They just don't.
My knee had stopped bleeding. But there was dried blood smeared all down my leg. I tried to move it, but pain shot through my leg. I cried even harder. I couldn't remember how many days it had been since this happened. All I knew was that is kept bleeding on and off. And I hadn't eaten all day.
All I've eaten ever since this happened was scraps of food that were easy to get or that people didn't want anymore. Normally, I'd swipe something then run. But I can't run now.
Dark was falling, and it was getting colder than it already was. I shivered. If I didn't starve, I'd freeze to death. The thought made me cry harder. Then I thought I heard something. I silenced my sobs, though the tears continued to fall.
Someone was whistling. He was coming closer. Then he walked passed the alley. Whistling and strolling along. But he was holder newspapers. I couldn't contain myself anymore. I let out a sob. The boy turned in my direction. He noticed me, and walked over to me. I was now sobbing uncontrollably again.
"Hey, it's okay. What's wrong?" he asked as he bent down next to me. I thought it was obvious, but then I realized my pant-leg had rolled back down. I pulled it back up.
"It's-it's that," I continued to cry, pointing to my knee.
"Holy shit!" he replied. I nodded. "What happened?"
"I got in a fight," I mumbled.
"You ain't a street person, is ya?" he half smiled to himself.
"I'm new ta it."
"I'se think ya should go ta the lodgin' house. Get that cleaned up." I nodded in agreement. Then paused.
"That what?" I asked.
"Lodgin' house. Where I live. I'm a newsie, ya know," he laughed at my not knowledge. I nodded. He stood up. "C'mon." He motioned me to come with him. I just starred. "Ya comin'?"
"I can't walk. Hell, I can't even move," I said. I should be nicer. But it's hard when you're in my shoes. Except I'm not wearing shoes. He bent back
down. That's when I got a really good look at his face. Tanner skin, light brown hair, brown eyes. Even though I had snapped at him, he looked at me in an understanding way.
"Can't walk at all?" he asked.
"Right. Not at all," I replied.
"I bet you could if I helped ya," he smiled. He took my hand and placed my arm over his shoulder. Then he helped me up. "Just don't step on it." He let me put my weight on him as I hopped.
"By the way," I spoke, "I'm Elizabeth."
"Mind if I call ya Lizzie?"
"Not at all."
"And I'm Jack Kelly."