Chapter 1

I adjusted my sunglasses as I did my round of the city. I had an arm slung out the open window, a fag held limply between my long manicured fingers. I flicked off the white ash as I cruised slowly, peering around the dingy streets. I scowled at myself in the mirror. My smooth brown hair had frizzed from the rain earlier, now though, it was just drizzling slowly. The grey skies were heavy on the city.

I stopped the car next to a small old coffee shop. I pulled up my hair into a haphazard bun. I crushed my fag in the ash tray that was propped up by the cup holders while applying a dark red lipstick to my normally pale pink lips. Opening the door, I swung out my legs and removed the bulky sunglasses from my striking blue eyes. I glimpsed the sun hidden behind thin clouds, only shards of light. Standing up, I shut the door and adjusted my gun belt.

I walked whistling towards the small coffee shop when something else alerted me. Loud guffaws echoed from the dirty alley way next to the coffee shop. Damn, I was really looking forward to that cup of coffee.

Reluctantly, I turned the corner. A group of 5 or 6 men, possibly late twenties were hunched around a particular corner. The laughs just got louder.

"Okay. Break it up boys, break it up." I said loudly as they turned around to face me. Their fashionably baggy clothes were dirty and grubby. Their faces were heavy and prematurely lined, gray. Druggees. I made sure the gun on my hip glinted menacingly.

They sneered at me. The one who looked the oldest, and the grubbiest, spoke, "We's not doin' nothin' wrong, Of'cer."

I scowled. "What's in the corner, boys?" They glanced at each other nervously. I sighed. Must they always do this the hard way? "Move."

I walked forward, a hand resting on my hip, just in case one of the hoodlums pulled a knife out on me. My guess was that this was their little drug spot. Their dealer would drop off bags of the stuff, and then they would pick it up later, leaving the money for their dealer to get later.

The shuffled away when I neared, but what I saw was not drugs or anything I suspected. My eyes widened.

"We swears we was just helpin'." The one who spoke before, spoke again. I didn't even realize he had said anything. I couldn't tear my eyes away from the little form huddled in the corner of the dirty alley way.

The boy was damp, his black hair sticking to his head, and he was shivering. He had no clothes on and his knees were brought up to his chest, as if he was trying to cover himself in any way possible. His cheeks were moist from tears, but his dark eyes stared unflinchingly up at me. He shuddered slightly before dropping his gaze to the dirty floor he was sitting on. I turned towards the bastards.

"Give him his clothes." I demanded, my voice like steel. The group seemed very apprehensive.

"He didn't got no clothes when's we's found him", the oldest one said, a small smug grin spreading across his oily face.

"Give him your clothes then." I said.

That wiped away his smirk. He stared at me, his mouth agape. The rest of the little gang looked equally as shocked. I rolled my eyes.

"Get to it before I have all of you arrested!" I shouted at them. Well, that certainly closed their mouths. They started fidgeting around, wide-eyed, tittering like a bunch of frightened little rats. The leader of the group pulled off his baggy grey t-shirt, and then threw it at the boy. I watched disdainfully as he slipped it over his head, I knew it would be at least 10 times too big on him. They started trying to walk away inconspicuously, but I have eyes like a hawk and no one gets away with anything when I'm around.

"Hey! You're not done yet." I said and smirked at the s-called boss's pallid chest, drug-parched, and thin. I pointed at his legs. "Your trousers too."

He looked at me and his upper lip curled. I suppose he was trying to appear intimidating. "Why I should –"

"Do as I say or you'll be take a little ride down town." I said, smiling widely at him revealing my pearly whites. His face flushed red.

"Fine." He snapped and stepped out of his loose trousers. I also knew these would be way too big on the boy, but he was cold and wet and needed some clothes. These would have to do for now.

I looked back of the leader of the group, he wore dirty white underwear. I gave a bit of a scoff.

"Have a nice day gentlemen." I said as they left the alley way. I could hear the boss demanding clothes from one of his lackeys.

I was about to deal with the boy when I noticed one of the younger men in the group had lingered behind. I stared at him, one thin brow raised into my forehead. I urged him to speak, "Yes?"

"I --," He stuttered and gripped the bottom of his large frayed sweater. "I don't think he understands English." He said more clearly this time, gesturing to the boy in the corner. "Whenever we – we talked to him, he looked confused."

He finished with a frightened look on his face, like he expected me to whip out my gun and shoot him dead without a moment's notice. His eyes were glued to the muddy pavement. "Just trying to help."

"Thanks." I said sincerely. He nodded and started walking away, when I stopped him. "A bit of advice for yourself, don't hand around with that sort."

He looked at me before nodding and flashing a small smile. He walked down the alley way, disappearing around the corner. His eyes were warm and hazel; he really didn't belong with that sort. He was a good kid.

I focused back on the boy crouched in the corner. He was now clothed, thanks to me, but still scared and shivering. His dark eyes had a frightened panic in them that I recognized. I kneeled next to him on one knee.

"What are you doing in these parts, kiddo?" I asked softly. He looked at me slowly, confused, his head tilted to one side. I tried another approach.

"What's your name?" I asked, speaking fluent Spanish. Having a mom from Spain really did pay off. "Where are your parents?"

Nothing. No reaction at all. He still looked confused and scared. I sighed and rubbed my head.

"Me." I enunciated and pointed at myself, "Maria Bryant."

I then pointed at him. "You?"

His face lit up with recognition. He knew what I was asking him. He smiled slightly before speaking in an accent that I didn't recognize. "Ptolemy."