Ursi had the sudden feeling that Leonardo was about to leave, and her eyes widened. She lunged forward and grabbed a hold of the sleeve of his jacket. He looked down at her shaking hand gripping his jacket, then looked into her eyes. He could have easily pulled away if he wanted to, but he chose not to.

Ursi seemed surprised in herself, so desperate that she would put her arm outside the safety of her cage, holding onto this one thing in the outside world with all her might. "Please don't leave..." she whispered. "You're my first friend." Ursi dropped her head, ashamed at how true that sentence really was. When she felt a hand placed on top of hers and pull her hand off his sleeve, she teared up, sure that she would never see him again.

"Hey. Look up." Ursi lifted her head and stared at him, a deep frown buried on his face. "I'm still here," he said, and Ursi felt a smile grow on her face.

For the rest of the night, the two of them talked endlessly, speaking whatever came to their minds. They found out so much about each other. Ursi could really say that they

were friends.

When they began talking about the places they had been, Ursi couldn't help but notice how Leo kept glancing behind him where the rising sun was beginning to bring color to the morning sky. "Leo?" He turned his to show he was listening. "Aren't you afraid of me?"

Leo didn't say anything but tapped his chin like he had an inside joke he wasn't telling her. "Nah, you remind me of a teddy bear." Her face cracked into a smile and she began giggling. "What's so funny?" Leo said quickly, looking embarrassed.

"No no, I've just never been called a teddy bear. It's...cute." Leo turned his head away from her and stared at the sun now visible over the horizon.

"Ursi, I have to go...you know that..." Ursi's smile drooped and her hands fell limp at her sides. "I'll ask you again. Come with me...please..."

Ursi glanced behind her and sucked in her breath. The cage around her seemed to be getting smaller, and the chain around her neck felt like it was growing tighter and tighter. But even with her fear eating at her, she was still making excuses. "Leo...I'm a monster...I can't go walking the streets of New York."

Leo glanced around him and sighted. "You're not the only one. Come with me and you will have nothing to fear."

She sucked in her breath, preparing herself for what she was going to say.

"Okay..."

Leo nodded his head. The way his hat bobbed made Ursi giggle. "Hold on he said," and then he ran off towards some trees.

And so Ursi waited in the growing light on the metal floor she once called home. She laid her head against the bar, closing her eyes slightly. She was tired, both from the stress of stitching her arm back on and for having stayed up the whole night. She decided she would just rest her eyes for a little before Leo came back.

("Daddy, look, I got an A on my test at school today.")

("...")

("I'm going to cook dinner now. Do you know what you would like?")

("...")

(As little Ursi turns to leave the man who is too busy scribbling down

formulas to listen to her, he suddenly spins around and grips Ursi around the

waist, spinning her around to face him. He grabs either side of her head

with his hands and uses his thumbs to force her eyelids open, staring into

them.)

("Golden...they change to gold. Great results.")

(He lets go of her eyes and stares at her.)

("You're ready for your next injection.")

(Ursi's eyes shift to look away from him.)

("Maybe another day...my arms still hurt.")

(Her father leans forward and grabs her by the arm, gripping it tightly.)

("No, no, that won't do...")