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Maybe I should have pulled on pants before we left the house I’m still in s are bare I’m not out to impress anyone, so why should I care?

“I guess I missed this place more than I realized I missed my friends, my house, the park”

“The park?” She laughs with a turn of her head

Yeah, it’s funny to her The park was neverthere with my friends – Jett and Tank – until the very last minute Until ere almost late home each time

We never were though We always made it home with seconds to spare That’s how fast Jett and Tank rode their bicycles with me on the back of either one

We had soh and through, always there for me, and I’ll always love them both

“Yes, the park I had fun in that park with Tate and Haiden”

“Jett and Tank,” She sniggers “Don’t go forgetting that they’re big, bad bikers now”

I roll et”

“Nohat are two pretty little things like you doing out here and all alone?”

Ruth pulls me closer to her side Theaddict is looking us up and down I knohat he’s going to do, he’s going to try and rob us He won’t get anything fro my phone out with me, stupidly

Why the hell didn’t I bring my phone with me?

“We’re just taking a walk We’ll be on our way now” I pull Ruth to the right, trying to step around him, but he blocks the way I step to the left, but he follows

I sigh toto end well

“Hand over the money, and I won’t hurt you”

“We don’t have any money!”

“It’s okay, Ruth” I yank her behindour heads will “We have nothing worth stealing We just came out for a walk”

He pulls a knife from the inside of his jacket and waves it in front of my face Great, just what I need I s hard “Then you’ll take ive me what I want, or I’ll cut you bitches up!”

“We won’t do that We’re not showing you where we live We have nothing to give you, so put the knife down before the police arrive”

“The police ain’t comin’, bitch Ain’t no one around to call ‘e Ruth with me

“Ruth,” I whisper toward her without taking , jumpy, eyes red and itchy He needs a hit “Run Run as fast as you can back to the apartment Get my phone and call Shepard”

“No, I can’t leave you” She’s frightened, so airl ill roll over and cry Hell, fucking no!

“Go!” I scream, she pulls away and runs Good “I don’t knohat you think will happen if you use that knife on me, but I promise you it won’t end well for you”

“Oh, yeah?” He laughs He’s right in front of me I can smell the musky scent of sweat on his filthy clothes He leans into ht puke if I do Ruth should have gotten back to Denise’s by now Especially running, it isn’t that far away I just hope she’s ed to call Shepard Not that I think for one-second he’llto ht as hard as I can to stop hiirl” He sniffs loudly, dragging in my scent I close my eyes and fold my arms around my body to protect myself

All a girl can do against a druggie trying to rob theround He o doithout a fight You can believe that

“Back off! I’et out of my mouth before he’s ripped away fromwith the wall beside us, a sickening crunching sound following