The Passerby

Amazing Grace

The Next Morning

"Here she is Ricky, the lowlife that almost knocked me over last night." A voice said, waking the girl from her sleep. The girl jolted upright, turning to see three large boys walking towards her, cornering her in the alleyway.

"Get away from me! I'm sorry!" The girl yelled, tears streaming down her already-wet face, pain coursing through her as the boy grabbed her frail arm.

"Sorry doesn't cut it, girly." The boy said, motioning to his two friends to approach the girl.

The girl looked up at the boy, a fearful expression in her eyes, nobody noticed the silent teenager drop from the rooftops behind them until it was too late. A fist to the temples of the two larger boys gave away his position.

"Wha- How dare you!" The boy said, rolling up his sleeve, preparing a punch for the teenager.

The teenager caught the boy's fist, letting out a slight smirk through his long, ratty black hair before he twisted the boy's arm, flinging him to the side.

"Come on, let's get you to safety." The teenager said to the girl, her orange hair messily pushed to one side. "My name's Ren, by the way."

"N-Nora." The girl said, taking Ren's hand and standing up, the three bullies now long gone. "Thank you..."

"It was my pleasure. Those boys are nothing but trouble, after all." Ren said, brushing off his dusty green t-shirt."

"Hey Ren? This may seem a bit silly, but are you an angel?" Nora asked, twirling her foot in the dirt.

"An angel? Hm, I don't think so." Ren replied, reaching into his pocket for a few dollars. "Why don't we talk some more over some food?"

Nora's stomach growled in agreement, having not had food from a restaurant in over fifteen months.