As she was walking through the park, she could feel that someone or something was following her. She looked behind her to see a man staring straight at her, obviously following her. She tried to ignore it and kept walking faster, but the man seemed to be catching up with her. Even when she turned a different way he did the same. She couldn't handle it anymore. She started running. The man started running too, but this time ran in front of her and stopped her. He said, "Excuse me toots, but I couldn't help but notice that a beautiful dame such as yourself was walking by 'erself." He then grabbed her hand and was going to kiss it when she pulled it away and slapped him. She said, "I beg your pardon sir, but I don't greet strangers who stalk me in broad day light." He felt his cheek and smiled a bit and laughed. She said, "I bid you farewell." She then started walking off.
He followed her again. She then ran again, throwing her stuff down this time. The man did the same as well, following her down a dark alley. When she turned she saw a brick wall. She gasped in horror when she turned around and saw the man there. He said, "Listen, let's just make this easy toots." He then walked to her. When he did she screamed as loud as she can. He then hurried to her, grabbed her arm and pushed her against the wall. He said, "You scream one more time.." he then brought out a switch blade. "...my blade here will be making a new friend." She went to scream again but he covered her mouth. She bit it. He then striked her across the face with his blade, making a deep cut in her beautiful skin.
Suddenly the man was tackled by another stranger. The stranger's glasses were knocked off when he tackled him and landed by the woman's feet. The stranger started punching the man while he was on top of him. Then the man pushed the stranger off and kicked him on his side. The stranger lied down in agony holding his side. Then the woman picked up a rock and threw it at the man who attacked her. The man had immedietly fallen down on the ground. The stranger with all his strength got up and kicked the man in the stomach. Soon the man was lying on the ground, unable to get up.
The woman stood there, holding the stranger's glasses in one hand and holding her bleeding face with the other hand. Blood dripping between her fingers down her bare arm. She was crying softly, not knowing why that just happened. She looked at the stranger who saved her. He was no more than 18 years of age at least. With brown hair and brown eyes. He was sweating on his forehead. He wiped it off and walked slowly to the woman who was shaking and crying still. She then started running away from the stranger and the man who attacked her. Suddenly she tripped and fell head first on the ground, the dirt hurting her wound. He caught up with her and said, "Here, let me help you up." She got up herself and backed up against a wall. He reached down and got his hat that fell off of him while he was running to save her. A Charlie Chaplin look alike hat. He looked at her beautiful ice blue eyes. He said, "Are you okay?" She started nodding slowly, but then looked at his eyes and shook her head. He walked a little closer to her. She then remembered the glasses! She reached out her hand and handed them back to the stranger. He said, "I'm sorry this had to happen to such a woman like yourself."
He walked a bit closer, hoping to not make her feel uncomfortable. He saw the blood dripping down her face and the dry blood on her arm. He reached for her hand but she turned away quickly. He said, "Just let me see it, okay?" He then touched her blood stained hand and gently took it away. He nodded and said, "The cut it pretty deep. Mind if I take you to a hospital?" She shook her head and said, "No, please, let me go home." He smiled and said, "That was the foirst time I heard ya talk." She blushed a bit. He said, "Are you sure you wanna go home?" She nodded again. He said, "Here, at least let me walk yas there." She said, "All right." But she didn't budge. He was still not hot with the idea of her going home instead of going to a hospital. He saw she was bleeding even harder. He couldn't handle it anymore. He took off his shirt, showing his undershirt and suspenders. She gasped and asked, "What are you doing!?" He said, "I'm not going to do anything crazy to yaz." He then walked closer to her and took her hand away again from her face. He then pressed the shirt against her cheek. She smiled. The warmth of his shirt helped her calm down a bit. She couldn't help but immedietly put her arms around him and hug him. She said quietly, "Thank you.....um.." He smiled and said, "It's Specs.." She hugged him tighter and said, "Thank you Specs."
When she let go he said, "Now you know my name. What's yours?" She backed away a bit, still holding the shirt to her cheek. She answered, "My name is Ruth. And they call you Specs?" He nodded proudly. She said, "Do you have an actual name besides Specs?" He said, "I do, but all me buddies call me Specs." She said, "It suits you well, and I mean that in a good way." He smiled and said, "At least you're doing better than you was five minutes ago." She forgot about what happened. She was just so thankful that a man such as Specs helped her. He continued, "So Ruth, fah-get about my papes. Let me walk ya home." She asked, "You're a newsie?" He smiled and said, "And damn proud of it." She laughed. He held out a hand and said, "Please, let me escort you back to your home." She started trusting him a lot better than she had before. She reached out her hand. He touched it. He was moved by the softness of her skin. He then kissed it softly and held onto it smiling and gazing at her. He said, "You need to help me ya know. With your house and all." She said, "All right then."
When they walked a little distance he picked up the stuff she threw down to escape. She saw bundles of paper lying on the ground nearby, but he didn't even stop to pick them up. She led him to her house. She said, "Thank you for helping me once again." He said, "No no, I'm not leaving until I know you're safe and sound." She smiled and said, "I'll see what my family thinks."
When she led him inside, everyone saw her blood stained face and arm. They all started bragging over her, everyone but her sister. The sister walked up to Specs and said, "Excuse me, but there are no bums allowed in this household!" Then Ruth spoke, "He saved me dear sister. He's more than welcome to come in. If that's all right papa" She looked up at her father. Her father was staring at the two sisters. Ruth was smiling at him even after her hurtful wound and her sister named Victoria had a nasty look on her face. Her father beamed and said, "Let him stay for dinner my dear daughter." She said, "Thank you father!"
That night at dinner, Ruth and Specs were explaning to the family what had happened to her earliar that day. By that time her brother Claude who was a known doctor in that town had fixed up her wound with bandages. Specs loved her family. They were so merry and happy, no matter what was happening in the outside life. Her father William especially liked the lad who was dining with his family. When dinner was over Specs got up and said, "Well, I best be going." William said, "Oh no lad! Why don't you sleep tonight in our guest bed?" Specs looked at him smiling and said, "I'd love to sir, but I have a job to do tomorrow." William said, "All right lad, but come back and visit us soon!" Specs waved and said, "And thank ya for the dinner."
When Specs walked outside he gazed at their home again. It was nice and toasty. Specs didn't understand why he refused that offer that Ruth's father had given him. He then saw Ruth's face at her bedroom window by a flight of fire escape stairs. He smiled to himself and ran up them to her. She was shocked to see him. She said, "Specs, will I ever see you again?" He smiled and said, "Of course ya will. I'll come by tomorrah. Or better yet, I might see ya walking again" She smiled and said, "Thank you again Specs." He said, "If you knew me, you'd know I couldn't resist a damsel in distress." He then leaned in and kissed her gently on the lips. She kissed back. He said, "I'll see ya soon Ruth. Good night!" She waved to him and said, "Good bye Specs!"
When he walked to where the Newsies were sleeping he quickly got in the room, took off his boots, and went on his bunk and made it seem like he was sleeping so no one would ask where he was. But he was wrong. The next morning Mush went up to him and said, "Hey Specs! Where were yaz last night?" Everyone heard what Mush said and joined in. Jack then came and said, "Ya Specs, where were ya?" Specs smiled to himself while cleaning his glasses. He said, "I met me this goirl last night!"