"Are you in some kind of trouble?"

"No I'm just afraid to sleep alone tonight. Just please let me sleep in your apartment with you." Tears rise in her eyes.

"Don't have to beg for that honey." Rose lets her inside.

"I'll sleep on your couch." says Alas

"Sure sure." Nods Rose.

Alas sits on Rose's sofa her whole body trembling.

"What happened is someone bothering you?"

"I think. Maybe."

"Who?"

"I mean no. I was having this dream."

"Seem kind of springy child."

"Just a bad dream. It was so real."

"A young girl like you should consider having a male around."

"I guess I should Rose." Alas quickly agrees.

"You will be alright here. I have some extra blankets in the closet." Roses pats her head.

"Thank you so much."

Alas gets up and gives Rose a big hug.

"Thanks for being so nice."

"Your -welcome." Rose is surprised by Alas's action.

The next day Alas goes back into her apartment. She slinks over to the oven. She reaches for the oven door.

"There's nothing there." She chants to herself to calm her nerves.

Just as she opens the oven door it breaks off at the hinges and falls on the floor landing on Alas's toe.

"Ahhh!"

Alas jumps back. Upon inspection she sees her toe has a small gash. She presses a dish cloth over the cut. Then opens her door and hops down the stairs. Her journey ends at apartment number ten. Alas hammers on the door. The door swings open; there is Marshall a towel wrapped around his waist with soaking wet hair.

"That was fast." He laughs.

"My toe I think I need to go to the hospital."

"Come inside."

Marshall helps an injured Alas to the couch.

Alas is still applying pressure to the wound.

"Let me see."

"Be careful."

Alas slowly peels back the compress. Marshall moves in close for a better look. He looks back up at Alas with a grin.

"What is so funny?"

Her anger flares up.

"It's just a scrape princess."

"Don't call me princess!"

"Sure Alas your wish is my command."

"The stove fell on it!"

"The stove?"

"Yes the door of the stove!"

"Oh. I can clean this up."

Marshall washes the cut and puts on a bandage.

"Good as new."

"Thanks a lot for doing this."

"You know you are the most polite rude person I have ever met." He says.

Alas shakes her head.

"Really thank you. You didn't have to do this."

"I'm that kind of guy."

Alas notices his towel again.

"I better let you get back to….your shower."

"I was already finished when you knocked. Please stay for a drink."

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"I have to make dinner."

"We can't have that especially not with a sick limb."

"It's just a toe!"

"Let me take you to dinner."

"Uhhh…I don't think that's a good idea." Alas shifts nervously.

"Why not it's only dinner?"

"I just–don't know you and I don't want to go out."

"I see. Then let me make you something here."

"Here?" Alas motions toward the space before her.