Kalen's heart leapt into his throat and his panic rose, his sternum popped as his ribcage expanded, his loose shirt growing tight against his chest. The thugs didn't notice. They were all turning toward the woman marching toward them, a book held out above her head threateningly.

"Did you hear me!' she said storming closer. "Stop harassing people and do something productive with your lives."

The gang sneered and chuckled as she walked a few more steps and stopped, hands on her hips defiantly. Kalen fumbled in his pocket pulling out a few crumpled bills and held it in front of the huge thugs line of sight attempting to distract him from her.

"Here! This is all the money I have. Alright? We don't want any trouble." Kalen tried to back up as he pushed the credits into the brutes coat pocket.

"Looks like your bitch has more balls than you. I like it when they is feisty like that." The big thug released Kalen's shirt and then shoved him with the massive metal hand. "Pretty little thing too. Tell you what, meat. Forget the money," he said, removing the bills and holding them teasingly toward Kalen with two fingers, "I'll take her sweet ass inst--"

A knee slammed into the linebackers stomach, foul breath whooshing out of him as Kalen exploded into movement. An elbow caught the ganger girl in the chest, hurling her backward to collide into a metal sign post. Kalen grunted as the baseball bat caught him just below the shoulder blade, the impact buckling his legs. His forearm blocked the second blow and he replied with a roundhouse kick that sent the bat wielder crashing into his wristwatch adorned partner.

Kalen dashed toward his Queen Bee, grabbing her wrist and knocking her book from her hand as she stood there dumbfounded, spurring her into action with a yell.

"Run!"

* * * * *

At the end of the alley neon signs painted the rain slicked sidewalk in hues of pink, purple and blue. Tucked far back in the darkness Kalen crouched behind a dented dumpster, his golden, red tinged eyes, scanning the alley's entranceway. Car horns blared and people chattered away on com-devices as they bustled about on the street, but, he no longer heard the sounds of the pursuing gangers. Nothing. He turned his head to look at the panting woman behind him, leaning over with hands on her knees, eyes shut tightly. The white camisole top she wore now damp with perspiration, painted onto her toned form. Fear had only heightened her scent, threatening to overwhelm him. Her chest heaved and Kalen forced himself to turn away when the top slipped and hung open. Instead, he listened to her as she gasped for breath. Heard her racing heart beat gradually slow.

Kalen shook his head, angry at himself. Twinges of pain clearing his thoughts as he felt his muscles begin to relax at last, bones clicking and popping as they straightened and realigned. She eased herself upright looking in his direction, trying to find him in the shadows as she fanned her face with her hand.

"God, you're in good shape..." she panted, "You aren't even winded."

Kalen felt his cheeks flush at the compliment, glad that she couldn't see him. "I ... I like to run." he replied.

"Apparently." she said with a smile that caused his mouth to grow dry.

"That was pretty amazing back there." she said, her fingers delicately brushing a few strands of hair behind her ear. "Do you have, like, a martial arts synth-chip or something?"

"Yes." he lied.

She shuffled closer, hands running along the wall as she blindly felt her way through the darkness. Her fingers found his arm and she visibly relaxed while his pulse quickened.

"Are you sure they aren't following us?" she asked, a little fright still tickling at the edges of her voice. Kalen's heart melted. He wanted to pull her close. To comfort her. Take away all of the lingering fear she still had. Promise her that he would never let her come to harm.

"I'm sure." he finally replied. He took a breath to steady his nerves. "Here, follow me." he said leading her out of the alley. Blinking, he willed his vision to return to normal. His eyes shifting to their usual light brown coloration.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

She stopped and peeked about cautiously before stepping out onto the busy sidewalk.

"Looks like you were right. I don't see any sign of them." she looked back and forth reaffirming her statement before turning her attention back to him. "They must have thought better than to try follow us here. Too many people around for them to try anything, I guess."

Kalen nodded.

"Though. I think I'll be taking a different route home from now on." she said, still breathing a little heavy, "I'd rather walk the extra couple blocks then risk a repeat of tonight. You know?"

Kalen frowned at the thought of not seeing her anymore. Unsure of what to say his mouth hung open as his mind searched for words. He wanted to agree with her. But how could he? This had been the best night of his life. She smiled at him. A smile he had memorized ages ago. Her full lips parting slightly. Her left hand extended.

"I'm Stacy." she said.

He knew she was a southpaw, of course, and he had to force himself not to tremble when he took her hand in his own.

"Kalen." he replied.

She shook it lightly, her skin smooth and supple. His eyes met hers and his smile widened even more, and in response, hers did the same.

"You don't say very much do you?" She asked, a bit of a humor in her tone. Caught off guard he thought about it for a moment before he simply shrugged.

The non-committal answer must have amused Stacy as she started to chuckle, before she glanced down. Her eyes went wide. Kalens breath caught in his throat as she snatched her hand back from his as if burned.

"Oh my god!" she said, staring at her blood smeared palm. She stepped closer and he froze as she looked down at the large dark red bloodstain on his thigh.

"They cut you!" she said, "You're bleeding!"

Kalen shrank back from her. "It's nothing. I'm fine."

"Don't be stupid, Kalen," she said glancing around to make sure she had her proper bearings, "Come on. We are only a few blocks from my apartment." she gripped his tightly hand and pulled on him to follow.

* * * * *

Stacey threw open the door to her apartment, guiding him inside, the lights clicking on automatically as they crossed the threshold. Concern creased her face. It had been building ever since she'd seen the bloodstain on his faded jeans and now she practically threw him onto a overstuffed chair in her living room.

"Wait here." she said, pulling off her light brown jacket, tossing it over a metal barstool as she raced through a doorway and into another part of the small home. The sound of clattering bottles and plastic pill containers bouncing and spilling in a sink quickly followed.

Kalens head swung back and forth, uncertainty creasing his brow. A stuffed purple tiger stared up at him from the floor, seemly just as confused at being knocked from its resting spot when Stacy had forced him to sit.

Reaching down he picked up the toy.

Kalen didn't need to enhance his senses any further. He could feel Stacy everywhere in the apartment. The home was small but functional, with a certain, lived in feel. Not overly neat, yet, not messy either. Easing himself out of the chair Kalen took a few steps over to one of the faux wood bookshelves placed in the corners of the room. A smile crept across his lips at the collection of paperbacks crowding the shelves. Romance, mysteries and adventure books all competed for space, standing upright and even piled on top of each other when there was no more room.

Stacy reappeared, a jumble of medical supplies cradled in her arms. Dropping to her knees she swept a remote, some holo-vid sticks and a green bra onto the floor as she dumped the first aid materials on top of a coffee table in the centre of the room. Not looking in Kalen's direction she started sifting through bottles and bandages.

"Take off your pants." she said

"What!" he replied, dropping the tiger.

"That's a lot of blood, Kalen. The cut must be deep." she bit the edge of a packet, ripping it open with her teeth. "You probably didn't even feel it with all the adrenaline as we ran from those assholes." she shuffled over to him, walking on her knees, a SlapPatch™ in her hand. "We'll get you to the hospital but first we need to stop any more blood loss."

"Take off your pants." she said.

" I don't need to--"

Stacy stared up at him, her face contorted in worry and anger. "Damn it! Kalen!" Do as I say!"

Not waiting for his compliance she reached out and gripped his waistline, tugging at it insistently. Backpedaling in alarm Kalen grabbed at his jeans. This had gone too far. He should have never come. There would be no way to explain how the gashes on his thigh were now little more than scratches, especially with the amount of fresh blood wetting his leg. Medical technology was good, but not that good.

"Don't touch me!" he said, snatching her hand and shoving her away roughly.

Stacy yelped as she toppled onto the floor. She looked up at him, worry twisting her features.

Kalen's heart dropped. What had he done? She was only trying to help. But, if she ever found out. He knew she wouldn't... couldn't accept him.

Shoulders slumped in defeat Kalen retreated to the door.

"I... I'm sorry." he said, fingers reaching toward the handle.

He stood there. Tried not to look at her. Hands shaking, tension knotting his shoulders. Doubt scratched at his brain. If he opened the door, whatever this was, would be over. Maybe he could explain it to her. Get her to understand an impossible secret. There was something between them. He could feel it, like electricity in the air. Could she feel it too? His knuckles turned white as he gripped the handle.

No. He couldn't take it if she rejected him for the truth. And he couldn't lie to her anymore. Kalen yanked the door open and risked a fleeting glance in her direction.

He saw bewilderment, then alarm in her eyes.

"S'up, meat?"

* * * * *