Most people would have deemed the job of being a phone operator an easy one. After all, all you were supposed to do was to talk on the phone, or perhaps sooth some difficult customers occasionally. But in the long run, the long hours, the robotic routines, and the burnt out feelings you got from the job could really wear you down.
It was past 12 midnight. Rain dragged her tired, exhaused, and overworked body home. From a distance, she could still see Grey's shadow trailing behind her. And she had already given up trying to tell him to back off. It was also partially because she didn't have any energy left in her body to yell at anyone anymore. All she wanted at the moment was a nice, hot shower and a good night's sleep. Well, at least Grey didn't attempt anything out of line other than the annoying stalking, she told herself.
"Hey, girlie, care for some company?"
A figure emerged from the shadows of a dark alley. Rain had always known the neighbourhood she lived in was a dangerous one, but since she worked the evening shift, it was an inevitable risk she had to take every night. But apparently, her luck had run out tonight. Adrenaline began to pump into her system and exterminated any sleep bugs that might have lingered as she faced the Native American with an ugly six-inch scar that slash across his face diagonally stood in her way.
"No, thank you." Rain made her voice sound as calm as possible despite the increasing feeling of dread that had begun to turn her stomach into tiny little knots. Then, she attempted to walk past the stranger casually.
But her luck was definitely not with her. The man grabbed her arms before she could make her escape. "Where d'ya runnin' so fast, honey?"
"Let go of me!" Rain tried to jerk her arm away, but the stranger had a grip as hard as steel.
"Let go of her!"
Rain turned to see Grey standing under the street lamp, eyes blazing with a cold, yet calculating fury. For a moment he looked like an avenging angel to her, even in his ugly grey jumpsuit that was beyond a poor excuse for fashion.
"Get the hell lost if you wanna stay healthy, boyo." The Native American scowled after he studied Grey's menacing stance for a while. This boy was too young and too thin to be a threat for his night's entertainment, he decided.
"I repeat, let go of her." Grey wasn't backing down. His voice was a mixture of rock and cold steel.
Rain's captor took out a pocket knife from his worn leather jacket pocket. The blade gleamed under the dim street light, sending chills down Rain's spine, and suddenly she was more worried about Grey's safety than her own.
"Go! Don't worry about me!" She said without thinking. "He's got a knife!"
Grey considered the threat of the Native American's weapon for a second before he switched his atttention back to Rain again. He saw the fear in her eyes, but yet she told him to go. Something tucked at his heart as he watched her, helpless and frightened, while still placing others' safety above her own.
"That's not very likely." He told the Native American evenly. There was challenge in his eyes as he spoke.
"You asked for this!" The native cursed and swung his pocket knife at Grey, who blocked it swiftly with his left arm. The blade opened up a long gash where gleaming metal and flesh met. At the same time, Grey's right fist had already made contact with the man's right eye. The villain cried out in pain, and was forced to loosen his grip on Rain's arm involuntarily. Seeing his chance, Grey grabbed hold of Rain's other arm and pulled her behind him immmediately, shielding the girl with his own body. Then, before the native could recover, Grey had already sent him flying in a karate-kick. He landed three feet away with a loud 'thud'.
"Not get lost if you wanna stay healthy, boyo."
Rain couldn't help but giggled at Grey's choice of words.
The Native American struggled back to his feet and fled without another word.
"Thanks, Grey." Rain said sincerely. She gave him a big hug in relief and gratitude. There was a weird fluttering sensation deep inside Grey's stomach during the unexpected embrace, but he couldn't figure out why.
When she pulled away, Rain saw the long, ugly gash on Grey's left arm. "You're hurt!" She exclaimed. She reached for his arm to take a closer look, and froze midway, while Grey jerked his injured arm away hastily. But Rain had already seen what Grey was trying to hide from her.
"Your......your blood......
Grey's blood was not red in color. It was blue.
"I'm glad you're alright." Grey's voice was cold and indifferent. Then, knowing his secret had been exposed he turned away from her awkwardly and attempted to make a fast exit, while half expecting Rain to scream and wake the whole neighbourhood from what she had seen.
"No! Wait!" Rain grabbed Grey's good arm and stopped him. She swallowed twice, and finally said, "Come upstairs. I'll bandage your wound."
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