"Hello? Is anyone there? Can someone help me? Man, August, you've really gotten yourself into trouble now," the girl moved forward, until her walking stick hit a wall. "Hm, the streets of NYC sure are quiet tonight, a little too quiet," suddenly she heard some rustling and the sound of footsteps. "Finally," she thought, "Hey! I'm sorry, could you help me find my way home, I seem to have gotten lost on the wrong side of town," she approached the sound while waving the stranger down.
"You're not—frightened by me?" The stranger's voice asked. He seemed surprised that she had heard him.
"No, why would I be?" August imagined she must have bumped into a tall gang member with a shaved head and tattoos and piercings all over his body. She didn't judge by appearances though, how could she?
"Are you—" she could sense him wave a hand in front of her face.
"Blind? Yeah, but don't let that scare you. I'm pretty independent for a blind person,"
"So how'd you get lost on this side of town at this time of night?"
"Some jerks thought it would be funny to give me the wrong directions.... I also might have missed my stop, because I fell asleep on the bus. I'd call my parents, but I don't know where I am and my battery is almost dead,"
"Don't you have a seeing eye dog or something?"
"No, my parents don't like dogs,"
"I know how they feel,"
"What?"
"N-nothing! Where's your home?"
"I live by 330 East 49th Street, you know where that is?"
"Y-yeah, I think I can help you,"
"Great, I'd really appreciate it," August took a step forward, but because of the uneven ground, she almost tripped. Thankfully the stranger caught her. "Oh, thanks. That almost never happens. I must be having some pretty bad luck today," she laughed as her hand brushed his arm. "Whoa, your coat is so soft, but you must be dying in this heat,"
He seemed to hesitate, but then changed his mind. "My coat's pretty thin actually. Come on, let's get going," he allowed her to hold onto him, but he stayed quiet most of the walk.
August didn't like the silence, so she tried to make small talk, "so tell me your name stranger,"
He didn't say anything for a moment and August thought he didn't hear her so she began to ask again, but before she could, he said, "Gio, you can call me Gio."
"Nice to meet you Gio, my name is August. No offense, but you sound kinda young, do you go to my school and we've just never met?"
"Ah, no. My siblings and I are homeschooled,"
"I've always wanted siblings. I'm an only child,"
"Yeah, well, siblings aren't all they're cracked up to be. They're a little overrated if you ask me."
"You sounded kind of shaken up back there, did something happen to you?"
"N-no, I just, got into a fight with one of my brothers is all,"
"I get that, I don't always get along with my parents, even though I know they just want what's best for me," August rambled, although she could tell Gio was trying to get her home as fast as possible, without causing her to stumble over herself.
"Ok, we're here," Gio told her.
"Already? Wow, that was fast, I'm glad I wasn't too far away!" She said as she found the right key and inserted it into the lock. Just as she opened the door and was about to enter she turned around and said, "Thanks again for all your help!" but was surprised when no one answered. "Hm, must have just walked off. Oh well," she shrugged and entered her home.
What she didn't know was that from a distance, Gio was watching to make sure she got inside safely.
"Let's go, Gio," a new voice appeared, along with a pair of glowing green eyes that were a stark contrast to the darkness.
"Luke, what are you doing here?"
"I'm here to take you back home,"
"You told me to leave, remember?"
"Don't be stubborn, now. Just come with me,"
Gio sighed, "Fine,"
As soon as they got home, Luke turned to Gio suddenly and glared at him. "What were you thinking, walking around with a human like that? What if she called the police?"
"She's blind and she needed my help! What was I supposed to do, huh? Just ignore her?"
"She could have gotten you in trouble! People like her can't find out creatures like us exist or it'll cause panic and chaos!"
"Is that really what you believe or is it just because you've been watching too much tv?"
"Go to your room Gio. You're not allowed to leave this house for a week,"
"You can't do that!"
"Mom left me in charge while she's gone, so yes I can,"
Gio grinded his teeth, but accepted his fate and left, making sure to slam his door for everyone to hear.
"Luke? Is Gio mad again?" A young voice appeared in the doorway.
"Everything's fine, Tony, just go back to bed," Luke cooed.
"You know he can't sleep without a bedtime story," an older girl told him.
"Lori, he has to outgrow this eventually," Luke sighed, but grabbed a book anyway and led Tony back to his bed. "Once upon a time, four little kittens—"
"That's us!" Tony shouted.
"Yes, it is," Luke and Lori both smiled as Luke continued. "Four little kittens were adopted by a wise old owl and raised in the streets of New York City...."
