Meeting

Kim was having a bad day, she just lost her job because she caught her "married" boss pants down with his mistress. She was three months behind on her rent and she was hoping to use her salary to cover some bills but she was chased out without her salary.

While she was moving, she unconsciously walked into an alley, she failed to notice a man staring at her presumptuously. She suddenly realized she was in the wrong place, she turned around only to find a man staring at her. She immediately picked up her pace, but before she could go far, he cornered her.

"Miss, why are you in a hurry? Don't you want to have a good time with me?" The man asked with a frown.

The man was looking haggard, his stomach was rotund. He was shirtless and his pants was covered with dirt. His hair was greasy. One would wonder when he last showered.

Suddenly, he grabbed her hands forcefully. She could feel his coarse hands on her wrist. She didn't struggle, she pretended to be calm but inside she was freaking out. She began thinking of possible escape routes.

"Let go of my wrist", she said. His frown grew deeper. "Why? Don't you want to stay with me?.. Or do you think you're too beautiful and I don't deserve to have you?" he asked, laughing.

Immediately, she kicked him on his shin, running out of the alley. The haggard man bellowed in pain, holding his legs for a few seconds before he went after her.

"B*tch! How dare you!"

"I gave you a chance and you hit me!"

"For that, you're not leaving this place!"

When he caught up with her, he yanked her hair. Kim shrieked in pain.

"Help!" "Help!!" She yelled continuously.

___

Carl who was sitting on the bench heard her cry of plea.

"For f**k's sake! Can't I have a moment of peace today?" He cursed under his breath.

"Help! Hel....mmmh mmmh...

The screams became muffled.

He would never go out of his way to help anyone, but today, for some reason, he felt he should help the person screaming. He was in a dire situation himself, may be he felt pity towards someone in a more difficult situation? He got up and walked towards the alley where he heard the voice.

"Let her go". He calmly stated, his expression unchanging.

The man sneered, "why should I? She had it coming."

Seeing someone had arrived, she felt hopeful. She pushed the hands away from her mouth, "Please, help me!" She said in a pitiful voice. it was evident she was scared.

Carl moved towards Kim and the haggard man but before he could get any closer, the haggard man pulled out a knife.

"Stop! If you come any closer, I'll hurt her." The haggard man said cautiously.

"Fine!" He stopped on his tracks.

"What's going on?" He noticed he had asked this question a lot today.

"That's none of your business", the haggard man spat out.

"Yeah.. it's none of my business, why did I come here even?" While asking himself, he turned around exiting the alley.

The haggard man laughed, "ha ha ha, little girl, there's no one to save you". He put away his knife and pulled her, going deeper into the alley.

Kim was beyond shocked, she didn't expect the stranger to leave without helping her. 'Why did he come then if he was not going to help' she asked internally. He gave her hope, only to snatch it away.

While she was being pulled away by the haggard man, he suddenly fell down. Kim turned around and saw the stranger, he was holding a stick. She thought he left, but it seems he had a plan.

Carl pulled her and started running out of the alley. They ran for some time and finally came to a stop.

"Thank you.. for helping me back there, for a moment I thought you really left." Kim said in a breathy voice.

"Sure.. whatever." He said, nonchalantly.

They stood in silence for a few minutes, Kim decided to break the silence first.

"My name is Kim, you?"

Carl spaced out, he recalled when his name was changed after his mother died. His father was irritated by the mere sight of him, he told him he reminded him of his mother, so he changed his name. He only went by his real name in public. But since he has been kicked out, he should remain Carl, least he disgraces his family name.

"I'm.. Carl..." Carl introduced himself in a low tune, barely audible.

"Well Carl, if you're not busy, I'd like to treat you for saving me." Kim said.

"You don't hav.." His stomach growled before he could completely refuse. Looking down at his feet, he blushed.

Kim smiled and pulled him towards a little restaurant. Carl could only follow.

~~~

"Wow! That was nice." Kim said.

"Thank you for the food."

"No need for that, you saved me, that's the least I could do."

"You don't live around here, do you?" Kim observed him, hoping for clues.

"Have you seen everyone who leaves in this neighborhood?" Carl questioned.

"I...uhm.. your clothes, you don't look like you live around here."

Carl looked at himself, he remembered what happened in the morning. He wondered if he should ask her for help. He didn't know any one here. He didn't have any one to help him.

"I'm.. I don't..." Carl wasn't sure of what to say, how to ask, where to start from. He bit his lower lip.

"You..? Go on" Kim nudged.

"Well, I'm currently homeless." He said staring at his feet.