The next day Logan got off work early so he decided to stop by Yale and pick up Rory after her class instead of her having to take the bus. He sat outside her class, waiting for it to let out but 40 minutes still remained.

Logan was content to just sit in the sun, relaxing after a long day. Suddenly a shadow fell across him.

"Logan?" a somewhat awkward voice said.

Logan opened his eyes and saw Marty standing in front of him.

"Hey Marty." he said, extending his hand. There was no trace of arrogance or condescension in his voice now.

"I haven't seen you or Rory around lately." said Marty. He didn't add that he had heard what had happened, but Logan knew that he had.

"Yeah we have been living off campus. How have you been?" Logan tried to be friendly even though he knew that Marty had always had feelings for Rory. It wasn't Marty's fault that she was amazing.

"I've been okay. Um I don't want to offend you, but I have a bartending gig this afternoon and I could use the help if you are free."

Logan was embarrassed. Was it that obvious that he needed money? But then he remembered that Marty had never liked him and was offering to do him a favor so he accepted. He didn't even bother to ask if he would have to work for his old friends. It didn't matter, he was going to make some money.

Silently regretting that he couldn't give Rory a ride home he graciously accepted Marty's offer. "I'd love to help out." he said. "What do you need me to do?"

Rory found a message on her cell phone when she got out of class. It was Logan, telling her that he had an afternoon job bartending with Marty. Rory smiled. She had always hoped that they would be friends so that she could hang out with them without it being awkward.

She got on the bus and got back to the neighborhood where she and Logan lived. It was only a three block trek back to the apartment.

Rory clutched her books as she walked down the street. It was a Tuesday, the day when she had a late class, and walking back as the sun set always made her uncomfortable. It was getting dim, and in this light she always noticed how bad the neighborhood was.

As she walked she noticed that there was a quick step behind her. She had been so caught up in her thoughts but realized that it had been behind her for at least a block. She hesitated to turn around, but finally snuck a glance, and regretted it as she saw a figure in a hooded sweatshirt, the hood pulled up. She walked faster, but the person was still gaining on her. She felt ridiculous for being suspicious, she was a poor college student after all, but couldn't help feeling a hint of panic. She gripped the umbrella that she always carried with her, more for defense than for some weather emergency.

And then suddenly the man approached her, touched her shoulder.

She jumped a little.

"Hey I was just going to walk you home lady." The man said.

Rory didn't ease up on her grip, and she unconsciously wielded it a little. "I'm fine." she said tightly. "But thank you."

The man persisted. "It isn't safe here." he said.

"I'm almost home." she said, then regretted telling him the area in which she lived.

Finally when it seemed like the man was going to relent and leave her alone he glanced around quickly, and seeing that the street was nearly empty he grabbed the umbrella, wrenching it out of her hands as he shoved her over. Her heavy bag made her lose her balance and she toppled over, putting up her hands to defend herself from his blows. He clubbed her on the side of the head with the umbrella as he snatched at her purse, and then she felt the strap give way and it was torn from her. She struggled to grab it back, more angry than afraid. They needed the cash inside.

As she scrambled to her feet he swung the umbrella one more time, catching her across the stomach. Winded, Rory collapsed, grasping her middle, sucking in air and struggled to breath. She tried hard not to cry as the man disappeared down the street, with her purse, her cell phone, apartment keys and umbrella.

Rory struggled to her feet. There was no one around and all she could think about was getting to a safe place, where she could sit and not have to worry. She picked herself up, grabbed her books and ran down the street as well as she could, still holding her side where the sharpest blow had landed. She made it to the building and collapsed in front of the apartment door, huddled into the doorway, waiting for Logan to get home and let her in. She had no keys, and no phone. She also had no change and didn't trust anyone enough to venture back on the street and ask for some.

When Logan got home he found Rory, there in the doorway. He could tell instantly that something was wrong.

"Rory, what happened?" he asked, rushing to help her up. He forgot his enthusiasm about the great afternoon he had spent with Marty.

Rory suddenly burst into tears unable to hold it in anymore as Logan unlocked the door and led her into the apartment.

"I was walking from the bus when someone followed me and grabbed my umbrella and took my purse and keys and phone and everything." she sobbed. She knew there was little hope that she would ever see any of those items again.

She gingerly touched the side of her face where a bruise was forming.
"Forget the stuff, are you okay?" Logan asked quietly, concerned and angry.

"I think so." said Rory, not wanting to worry Logan. There was pain all over her side and stomach, and bruises on her back where she had fallen on the pavement.

Logan just held her, wanting so much to be able to do something but knowing that there was nothing that he could do.

That night the bleeding started.