"So, Cheetah," Spot said, trying to break the silence that had been going on for the past ten minutes of their walk. If someone didn't talk it would be a very, very long trip home.
"Yeah?" she replied, thankful he had started to make conversation.
"What's your story?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at her.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you show up, obviously running to or from something. I want to know why. What's your story?"
"What's yours?" she snapped back at him immediately.
Spot put up both hands in mock surrender. "Ok, you don't want to talk about it. That's fair. Tell me, you know anything about living on the streets?"
Yes. "No," she replied, glancing over at him.
"Well, you've got to be careful. Don't go walking around alone, especially at night. It can get pretty dangerous around here." Cheetah didn't say anything, but nodded to show she had been listening.
"Can you fight?" he asked.
"I don't know," she shrugged. "Never been in one." God, she hated this. Having to play the part of the defenseless little girl who was so naïve.
Spot turned on her suddenly, delivering a punch right to her abdamon. It would have been simple to block; to sidestep the blow, grab his wrist, and bring her knee up to meet with his face. The entire thing would have taken less then five seconds. But Cheetah knew better. For anyone to be able to fight like her was unusual, but especially a girl. Instead she watched his fist connect to her stomach, tightening her abs and taking in the punch the way she was trained. Luckily for her, the punch had little force behind it, considering Spot was just testing her. He didn't want to hurt her, but he had to know if she could fight.
"Ow!" she cried out, doubling over in pain, strictly for effect.
"Okay, the answer to that question was no, you can't fight." Spot laid a hand on her shoulder. "You okay?" Cheetah nodded and slowly straightened up. "We'll work on that," Spot informed her.
By the time they reached the Brooklyn lodging house, it was pitch black, and probably around midnight if not later. Spot lead her inside and upstairs to the left where the girl's bunkroom was located. As of now, there were only two other girls staying there. Spot turned on the light and the girls groaned. "What the hell Spot?" the younger looking one cried out.
"Watch your mouth Jamie," Spot scolded before introducing Cheetah. "Storm, I expect you to show her the ropes. She'll sell with you until lunch and then bring her on down to the docks. I'll meet you there."
The girl on the right, presumably Storm, let out a small groan, indicating that she heard him. "Go to sleep now," he instructed Cheetah. "We get up early around here."