Back History... Henry McCoy
I met Hank in a bit a' a strange way. I was just coming back from the Outlands, where all the trees and wild things grow, and I was happy because I'd found a lot of food out there. By my figurin’ I wouldn't have t’ go lookin' for food for a real long time, maybe even a couple a' weeks.
I was almost home when suddenly I heard a loud shout up ahead. I went invisible, jus’ t’ be safe, an’ heard a lot more yelling, laughter, n’ I ran up t’ try an’ figure out what was goin’ on. As I turned the corner I realized with a lurch that all the commotion was infront a’ my home, though it didn’t look planned.
Seven boys, all tall, wiley humans who had recently moved in as a gang, stood above an eigth, one I’d never seen before. He was down on the ground, obviously been beaten soundly already, but that’s not what I noticed first. Besides bein’ giant an’ really, really muscular, he had what looked like a coat a’ blue fur coverin’ his whole body!
After I got ever the shock of it, I saw the only reason this boy, who didn’t look too much older n’ me, hadn’t beaten the punks int’ smithereens by now. Each one was holdin’ a piece a’ lead pipe, or hefty chunk a’ wood, and the leader had some kinda big knife. They’d cornered the boy int’ a wall, and formed a half circle ‘round him, beatin’ him down every time he tried t’ get up.
Now, I don’t usually save people from thier fates, it ain’t my buiseness and once ya save one of ‘em they all want ya t’ help. I don’t have the time or abilitiy t’ be Big Sister t’ everyone who ain’t good enough t’ take care a’ themselves. These guys, however, were outside my home, an’ makin’ trouble on my turf. Besides, even I don’t really like t’ see a boy like that being beaten t’ death by seven armed jerks.
Going forward I walked straight into the middle a’ the crowd, and as the blue boy tried t’ get up again I socked the boy who’d been goin’ in to him him in the stomach. The thug let out an “oof” and dropped the lead pipe, which clattered t’ the ground.
“Hey! What happened?” one of the other boys cried, an’ I knew it was time t’ scare them out.
“WILDCAT!” I bellowed, grabbing the pipe and swinging it, striking a boy who’d gotten too close. My sheldin’ includes my voice to, so al they heard was my yell comin’ in from every direction.
In the past I’d beaten down the gang, in fact the first day I ran int’ them I broke the leader’s nose, an’ he got off light. ‘Cause a’ this the boys tore off screamin’ as soon as I shouted, droppin’ their weapons and forgeting about their prey.
I watched them leave, then dropped the pipe an’ looked at the boy, who was gasping for air and strugglin’ t’ get up, only succeedin’ in gettin’ t’all fours. He looked around fearfully, as if I’d appear to him an’ continue beatin’ the crap outta him, but I wasn’t too interested in that.
“You ok?” I asked gruffly. The boy started an’ looked around.
“Who- where are you?” he said, looking up as if I was on a roof. Then he started pattin’ the ground, and a moment later he’d found a pair a’ glasses an’ rubbed the dirt off’em, puttin’ them on an’ lookin’ again.
“Are you ok?” I repeated.
“I.... believe so,” he said, still confused. I suddenly saw how thin he was under his baggy, torn clothes, an’ for no real reason I tossed a pack a’ my food at him. As soon as I dropped it it got seeable again, an’ he jerked away from it.
“If yer ok, get off my turf,” I growled. The boy blinked, then cautiously touched the bag, smellin’ the fruit from inside. I turned an’ marched away then, I had no interest in him an’ I’d given my warnin’, and food.... Why? I guessed that it was jus’ one a those damn urges that make ya do stupid stuff.
Anyway, that night I was sittin’ in my room alone, my food safely hidden away, an’ I took out my prized possession, an Old book my mother had given me a long time ago.
It was a long book, an’ my mama hadn’t had much time t’ teach me how t’ read too good. I’d been workin’ on readin’ it f’r years now, an’ even if I never finish it... well, I tried.
Anyway, I was readin’ in my slow, stupid manner when suddenly I hear approachin’ footsteps. Whoever it was was really tryin’ t’ be quiet, but I know ever sound that does an’ doesn’t belong on my turf, an’ I was always alert. Bein’ Wildcat I had t’ be.
Anyway, it was too late t’ turn off the lamp, so I went invisible n’ stuck the book under my covers, then got up and hurried t’ a corner t’ wait. T’ my surprise, the blue boy I’d helped earlier appeared in the doorway, knockin’ for a second an’ then comin’ in, lookin’ around the room blankly.
“Hello?” he called uncertainly, an’ I bristled. This is what ya got for helpin’ people, they justbloody came back an’ tried t’ rob you.
Anyway, the boy sniffed the air, then gasped softly, starin’ at my bed. I was unnerved, but I waited ‘till he’d reached to where my book was before I yelled and jumped ‘im, screamin’ my head off ‘cause I was so mad, an’ scared. He looked even more beaten up then before, but I knew he was bigger n’ stronger than me.
He lurched with a cry an’ I tried t’ strangle him, yellin’ the whole time. The boy reeled, then suddenly reached up and grabbed my wrists around his neck. He obviously couldn’t see ‘em, but just ‘cause I can’t be seen, heard, or smelled when I’m invisible it don’t mean you can’t feel me.
He turned, snappin’ my hands off his neck and tossin’ me around, pinnin’ me to the floor. I gave a full throttled scream, but couldn’t do nuthin’ with him on top a’ me, holdin’ my hands down t’ the floor an’ keepin’ me pinned.
I snarled an’ struggled, but he was too strong, and with a lurch I realized I’d finally been caught. I was at his mercy, an’ all my skill was worth nuthin’ ‘long as I couldn’t move.
He looked down, obviously searchin’ for my head, but lookin’ right above it.
“Please, calm yourself,” he said hastily, his voice a dry croak that came from thirst and exauhstion. “I mean you no harm.”
“Like hell!” I thundered, struggling again. This time I managed t’ get a foot loose, an’ I kicked him right where it hurts, like my mama taught me, but though he let out a cry of pain an’ flinched he only sat on my middle, jus’ enough to make sure I couldn’t kick him again. I realized all hope was lost, an’ tears stung my eyes as I felt sure he’d take me then an’ there, jus’ like I’d always feared.
“Please,” he said agian. “Can you not show your face?”
I spat at him, but he wiped his cheek on his sleeve, and my will crumbled.
“Jus’ take what ya want an’ get out!” I said, tears stainin’ my voice. The boy blinked.
“I’ve no desire to steal your book,” he said gently. “Or your food. If you would but become visible to me...?”
I stared up at him, then shakily returned to the visible realm and glared up at him, a tear leaking down her cheek.
“Then go on, take your rape an’ leave!” I said. The boy’s eyes flew open, and he let out a gasp of disbelief, staring at me in shock. I could see he wanted t’ let go a’ me an’ back away, but he was rememberin’ my kick and wasn’t lookin’ t’ give me another shot at it.
“I- I meant not give that impression,” he said softly. “I beg thee to forgive, my intentions are not in anyway that to cause you any sort of grievance.”
“Stop spoutin’ trash,” I snarled, though in truth I had no idea what he was spoutin’, I could hardly understand a word he said.
“Please, I wish to let you up, but I’d rather to stay as healthy as I am right now,” the boy said. I could tell he just didn’t want me to hurt him again. As the panic subsided I nodded slowly, and he looked greatly relieved as he let go and moved away hurriedly.
“Who are you?” I demanded, still reluctant to believe he had just had me totally under his power and let me go without taking advantage of me.
“My name is Henry McCoy, or Hank, if you prefer,” he said timidly. “I meant only... well, I only came because this seems the only safe place in the city. And I... I wanted to thank you for your efforts earlier today.”
“My efforts?” I repeated. “You mean when I saved yer ass?”
“Erm, yes,” Hank said, nodding.
“Where’s the food I gave you?” I said suddenly. It was bad enough that I’d given it to him, but if the pig ate all a’ it in a day.....
“That’s why I’ve returned to these streets,” Hank said sheepishly. “The gang members are loath to come here, but as soon as I ventured too far away they again ambushed me.... I managed to get away, but alas, they confiscated the provisions you were kind enough to offer me.”
I got the idea the gangers hhad beaten him up again n’ stole his food, an’ I glared at him scornfully.
“So? I ain’t gonna give you more food,” I said.
“Oh, no, that’s not why I came,” Hank said, eyes widdening again.
“Then why?” I challenged him. He looked upset.
“I... don’t rightly know. In part to thank you, partially to evade those boys... and I suppose partially to see if I might know my rescuer’s face,” he said, shrugging. I had no idea what he meant, and I huffed.
“Get out,” I said. Hank looked hurt, and nodded, bowing slightly.
“You’re right,” he said sadly. “I’ve been unexcusably rude and imposing. I... I’m very sorry to have disturbed you.”
Turnin’ he left, an’ I watched the door t’ make sure he was gone ‘fore I let out a shaky breath, mad at myself f’r havin’ been beaten so easy. But he had been stronger than any man I’d ever come across before, so t’ be fair I didn’t get too upset with m’self.
I had jus’ reached back for my book when I heard an inhuman roar, an’ bolted up, once more invisible as I tore outta my room an’ looked out. There was some kind a’ fight goin’ on, I could hear yells an’ cries a’ pain, the sounds a’ fists on flesh an’ metal against bones.
Runnin’ down the stairs I turned the corner sharp, t’ my amazement findin’ a small fire on one side of my building, which had been built against the wall but now lay scattered about. There two were four of the gangers, all yelping and tryin’ t’ lay flat Hank, who was fightin’ like a madman now. He was clearly desperate, but as I watched me managed to get ‘imself int’ clear ground t’ avoid bein’ cornered. He twisted n’ jumped, fightin’ real well, even though a few a’ the boys had thier pipes again.
Seeing how it was my home under attack I jumped in, yellin’ as I cracked a piece a’ burning log over one boy’s head and whipped it ‘round, slapping another in the face, makin’ him yell an’ flee blindly. Hank had managed t’ get one a the boys in a headlock, and rammed him int’ the wall as hard as he could.
I was impressed that he’d held his own so long, but then I saw the pipe zooming towards his skull.
“Watch it!” I bellowed, and Hank turned sharply, raising his arm just barely in time. There was a crack of shatterin’ bone an’ Hank let loose another roar a’ pain, but managed to grab the pipe with his good arm and twist it outta the boys grasp. The boy screamed an’ ran after the burnt faced kid, but Hank hurled the pipe swift n’ true, and it brought the ganger down heavy.
I stood, pantin’ an’ looking f’r more gangers, but they were gone. So I looked at Hank, slowly comin’ visible again.
“What the hell was that?” I said as he groaned and fell back against the wall, clutchin’ his arm t’ him.
“Came out...” he gasped. “Saw the fire, I jumped them.”
“Why?” I asked, frowning. Hank blinked at me through his pain.
“Your home would be consumed by the blaze, as well as a few blocks of the city where others live as well,” he said plainly. “I could not allow that to happen.”
“You’re hurt,” I said. Hank nodded, an’ I walked over, sighin’ and grabbin’ his good arm. “C’mon up, I got bandages and stuff. Try anythin’ funny, though, an’ the gangers’ll have a time with your corpse.”
“Understood,” Hank chuckled softly, eyes glazing over. I dragged him, stumblin’ an’ gaspin’, up the stairs and int’ the room, going t’ the closet an’ diggin’ around the junk in there f’r a moment before I pulled out some old bandages I’d once found. I’d learned a long time ago not t’ waste nuthin’, and I tossed them t’ him.
“Try not t’ use it all,” I grunted. Hank sat against the wall an’ grunted aloud in pain as he gripped his arm, then started squeezin’ it up an’ down.
“What’re ya doin’?” I asked, angry if he was tryin’ t’ hurt himself more. He looked up, keen gaze jus’ askin’ me why I looked mad.
“If it’s not set, t’will never heal correctly,” he said.
“Oh,” I said, and watched him as he hissed through his teeth an’ continued t’ work on his arm, wobblin’ slightly.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” I said, glarin’ at him.
“T’is nothing, fair maid, fret not for my health,” Hank said grog’ly. “I was the unfortunate recipiant of a rather well aimed pipe to my head, that’s all.”
I heard the words at the end of the sentace, enough to know he’d been smacked during the fight.
Finally he finished an’ I watched him as he struggled t’ rise. I wanted t’ tell him not t’ bother, but I didn’t really want a stranger in my house.
Finally he groaned and pulled himself upright.
“My thanks...” he muttered, eyes unfocused as he looked at me an’ remained standin’ for a few seconds, then passed out cold and hit the floor with a crash. I jumped, then stared at him, suddenly seeing the dark spot on the back of his head, which was wet an’ looking like it was tricklin’ down the back a’ his neck. I groaned slightly m’self, not because he was bleedin’ but because I knew I’d let him stay here t’night. Goin’ over t’ my beddin’ all stuff I’d found an’ fought for, I picked out half a’ it, the worse half, an’ then made a second bed.
Lookin’ at how big this boy was I sighed an’ grabbed him under the armpits, managin’ t’ drag him away from the door as I grunted an’ finally got to dump him on the bed.
Then I walked back over t’ the leftover bandages and grabbed them, sighin’ t’ myself as I sat next t’ the kid’s head an’ got some torn cloth, pressin’ it over his wound an’ bindin’ it tightly with the last a’ my bandages.
- - -
The next mornin’ I didn’t leave the house all day, not ‘till I saw Hank stirrin’ an’ groanin’ in his sleep, slowly rousin’ himself from the depths a’ blood-losslessness.
He opened his eyes, then blinked, starin’ at the ceilin’ in confusion before turnin’ his head and wincing before he caught sight a’ me.
“What?” he said softly, an’ I could tell he was totally thrown off. I sighed.
“Ya passed out in my house,” I said. Hank looked upset.
“I’m sorry,” he groaned.
“Don’t be. Wouldn’t have a house t’ let ya pass out in, weren’t f’r you puttin’ out the fire,” I said, having already decided I owed him this favor at least. Hank nodded slowly, then tried to rise, and I put a foot on ‘im.
“Still,” I said. “You get up too quick n’ you’ll fall down again. Stay there.”
Gettin’ up I walked over to my food, which I’d rationed earlier, an’ grabbed some fruit an’ brought it back, givin’ some t’ Hank an’ munchin’ on some myself. but the blue boy didn’t eat, instead looked ashamed.
“I can’t,” he said. “I lost the ready supplies you gave me, and encroached on your territory.”
“Eat the damn fruit,” I snapped at him, an’ his expression went to stunned. I glared at him an’ shook my head. “When y’ can walk again, you can help me get more. Think you’ll be healed ‘nough in a coupla days?”
Hank stared at me for a long time, then nodded, a smile creeping across his lips.
“T’is a deal,” he said, eating some of the fruit. I looked at him and shrugged.
“You won’t be smilin’ when you have t’ carry back those loads a’ food with that arm a yers,” I said smirking back.
I was almost home when suddenly I heard a loud shout up ahead. I went invisible, jus’ t’ be safe, an’ heard a lot more yelling, laughter, n’ I ran up t’ try an’ figure out what was goin’ on. As I turned the corner I realized with a lurch that all the commotion was infront a’ my home, though it didn’t look planned.
Seven boys, all tall, wiley humans who had recently moved in as a gang, stood above an eigth, one I’d never seen before. He was down on the ground, obviously been beaten soundly already, but that’s not what I noticed first. Besides bein’ giant an’ really, really muscular, he had what looked like a coat a’ blue fur coverin’ his whole body!
After I got ever the shock of it, I saw the only reason this boy, who didn’t look too much older n’ me, hadn’t beaten the punks int’ smithereens by now. Each one was holdin’ a piece a’ lead pipe, or hefty chunk a’ wood, and the leader had some kinda big knife. They’d cornered the boy int’ a wall, and formed a half circle ‘round him, beatin’ him down every time he tried t’ get up.
Now, I don’t usually save people from thier fates, it ain’t my buiseness and once ya save one of ‘em they all want ya t’ help. I don’t have the time or abilitiy t’ be Big Sister t’ everyone who ain’t good enough t’ take care a’ themselves. These guys, however, were outside my home, an’ makin’ trouble on my turf. Besides, even I don’t really like t’ see a boy like that being beaten t’ death by seven armed jerks.
Going forward I walked straight into the middle a’ the crowd, and as the blue boy tried t’ get up again I socked the boy who’d been goin’ in to him him in the stomach. The thug let out an “oof” and dropped the lead pipe, which clattered t’ the ground.
“Hey! What happened?” one of the other boys cried, an’ I knew it was time t’ scare them out.
“WILDCAT!” I bellowed, grabbing the pipe and swinging it, striking a boy who’d gotten too close. My sheldin’ includes my voice to, so al they heard was my yell comin’ in from every direction.
In the past I’d beaten down the gang, in fact the first day I ran int’ them I broke the leader’s nose, an’ he got off light. ‘Cause a’ this the boys tore off screamin’ as soon as I shouted, droppin’ their weapons and forgeting about their prey.
I watched them leave, then dropped the pipe an’ looked at the boy, who was gasping for air and strugglin’ t’ get up, only succeedin’ in gettin’ t’all fours. He looked around fearfully, as if I’d appear to him an’ continue beatin’ the crap outta him, but I wasn’t too interested in that.
“You ok?” I asked gruffly. The boy started an’ looked around.
“Who- where are you?” he said, looking up as if I was on a roof. Then he started pattin’ the ground, and a moment later he’d found a pair a’ glasses an’ rubbed the dirt off’em, puttin’ them on an’ lookin’ again.
“Are you ok?” I repeated.
“I.... believe so,” he said, still confused. I suddenly saw how thin he was under his baggy, torn clothes, an’ for no real reason I tossed a pack a’ my food at him. As soon as I dropped it it got seeable again, an’ he jerked away from it.
“If yer ok, get off my turf,” I growled. The boy blinked, then cautiously touched the bag, smellin’ the fruit from inside. I turned an’ marched away then, I had no interest in him an’ I’d given my warnin’, and food.... Why? I guessed that it was jus’ one a those damn urges that make ya do stupid stuff.
Anyway, that night I was sittin’ in my room alone, my food safely hidden away, an’ I took out my prized possession, an Old book my mother had given me a long time ago.
It was a long book, an’ my mama hadn’t had much time t’ teach me how t’ read too good. I’d been workin’ on readin’ it f’r years now, an’ even if I never finish it... well, I tried.
Anyway, I was readin’ in my slow, stupid manner when suddenly I hear approachin’ footsteps. Whoever it was was really tryin’ t’ be quiet, but I know ever sound that does an’ doesn’t belong on my turf, an’ I was always alert. Bein’ Wildcat I had t’ be.
Anyway, it was too late t’ turn off the lamp, so I went invisible n’ stuck the book under my covers, then got up and hurried t’ a corner t’ wait. T’ my surprise, the blue boy I’d helped earlier appeared in the doorway, knockin’ for a second an’ then comin’ in, lookin’ around the room blankly.
“Hello?” he called uncertainly, an’ I bristled. This is what ya got for helpin’ people, they justbloody came back an’ tried t’ rob you.
Anyway, the boy sniffed the air, then gasped softly, starin’ at my bed. I was unnerved, but I waited ‘till he’d reached to where my book was before I yelled and jumped ‘im, screamin’ my head off ‘cause I was so mad, an’ scared. He looked even more beaten up then before, but I knew he was bigger n’ stronger than me.
He lurched with a cry an’ I tried t’ strangle him, yellin’ the whole time. The boy reeled, then suddenly reached up and grabbed my wrists around his neck. He obviously couldn’t see ‘em, but just ‘cause I can’t be seen, heard, or smelled when I’m invisible it don’t mean you can’t feel me.
He turned, snappin’ my hands off his neck and tossin’ me around, pinnin’ me to the floor. I gave a full throttled scream, but couldn’t do nuthin’ with him on top a’ me, holdin’ my hands down t’ the floor an’ keepin’ me pinned.
I snarled an’ struggled, but he was too strong, and with a lurch I realized I’d finally been caught. I was at his mercy, an’ all my skill was worth nuthin’ ‘long as I couldn’t move.
He looked down, obviously searchin’ for my head, but lookin’ right above it.
“Please, calm yourself,” he said hastily, his voice a dry croak that came from thirst and exauhstion. “I mean you no harm.”
“Like hell!” I thundered, struggling again. This time I managed t’ get a foot loose, an’ I kicked him right where it hurts, like my mama taught me, but though he let out a cry of pain an’ flinched he only sat on my middle, jus’ enough to make sure I couldn’t kick him again. I realized all hope was lost, an’ tears stung my eyes as I felt sure he’d take me then an’ there, jus’ like I’d always feared.
“Please,” he said agian. “Can you not show your face?”
I spat at him, but he wiped his cheek on his sleeve, and my will crumbled.
“Jus’ take what ya want an’ get out!” I said, tears stainin’ my voice. The boy blinked.
“I’ve no desire to steal your book,” he said gently. “Or your food. If you would but become visible to me...?”
I stared up at him, then shakily returned to the visible realm and glared up at him, a tear leaking down her cheek.
“Then go on, take your rape an’ leave!” I said. The boy’s eyes flew open, and he let out a gasp of disbelief, staring at me in shock. I could see he wanted t’ let go a’ me an’ back away, but he was rememberin’ my kick and wasn’t lookin’ t’ give me another shot at it.
“I- I meant not give that impression,” he said softly. “I beg thee to forgive, my intentions are not in anyway that to cause you any sort of grievance.”
“Stop spoutin’ trash,” I snarled, though in truth I had no idea what he was spoutin’, I could hardly understand a word he said.
“Please, I wish to let you up, but I’d rather to stay as healthy as I am right now,” the boy said. I could tell he just didn’t want me to hurt him again. As the panic subsided I nodded slowly, and he looked greatly relieved as he let go and moved away hurriedly.
“Who are you?” I demanded, still reluctant to believe he had just had me totally under his power and let me go without taking advantage of me.
“My name is Henry McCoy, or Hank, if you prefer,” he said timidly. “I meant only... well, I only came because this seems the only safe place in the city. And I... I wanted to thank you for your efforts earlier today.”
“My efforts?” I repeated. “You mean when I saved yer ass?”
“Erm, yes,” Hank said, nodding.
“Where’s the food I gave you?” I said suddenly. It was bad enough that I’d given it to him, but if the pig ate all a’ it in a day.....
“That’s why I’ve returned to these streets,” Hank said sheepishly. “The gang members are loath to come here, but as soon as I ventured too far away they again ambushed me.... I managed to get away, but alas, they confiscated the provisions you were kind enough to offer me.”
I got the idea the gangers hhad beaten him up again n’ stole his food, an’ I glared at him scornfully.
“So? I ain’t gonna give you more food,” I said.
“Oh, no, that’s not why I came,” Hank said, eyes widdening again.
“Then why?” I challenged him. He looked upset.
“I... don’t rightly know. In part to thank you, partially to evade those boys... and I suppose partially to see if I might know my rescuer’s face,” he said, shrugging. I had no idea what he meant, and I huffed.
“Get out,” I said. Hank looked hurt, and nodded, bowing slightly.
“You’re right,” he said sadly. “I’ve been unexcusably rude and imposing. I... I’m very sorry to have disturbed you.”
Turnin’ he left, an’ I watched the door t’ make sure he was gone ‘fore I let out a shaky breath, mad at myself f’r havin’ been beaten so easy. But he had been stronger than any man I’d ever come across before, so t’ be fair I didn’t get too upset with m’self.
I had jus’ reached back for my book when I heard an inhuman roar, an’ bolted up, once more invisible as I tore outta my room an’ looked out. There was some kind a’ fight goin’ on, I could hear yells an’ cries a’ pain, the sounds a’ fists on flesh an’ metal against bones.
Runnin’ down the stairs I turned the corner sharp, t’ my amazement findin’ a small fire on one side of my building, which had been built against the wall but now lay scattered about. There two were four of the gangers, all yelping and tryin’ t’ lay flat Hank, who was fightin’ like a madman now. He was clearly desperate, but as I watched me managed to get ‘imself int’ clear ground t’ avoid bein’ cornered. He twisted n’ jumped, fightin’ real well, even though a few a’ the boys had thier pipes again.
Seeing how it was my home under attack I jumped in, yellin’ as I cracked a piece a’ burning log over one boy’s head and whipped it ‘round, slapping another in the face, makin’ him yell an’ flee blindly. Hank had managed t’ get one a the boys in a headlock, and rammed him int’ the wall as hard as he could.
I was impressed that he’d held his own so long, but then I saw the pipe zooming towards his skull.
“Watch it!” I bellowed, and Hank turned sharply, raising his arm just barely in time. There was a crack of shatterin’ bone an’ Hank let loose another roar a’ pain, but managed to grab the pipe with his good arm and twist it outta the boys grasp. The boy screamed an’ ran after the burnt faced kid, but Hank hurled the pipe swift n’ true, and it brought the ganger down heavy.
I stood, pantin’ an’ looking f’r more gangers, but they were gone. So I looked at Hank, slowly comin’ visible again.
“What the hell was that?” I said as he groaned and fell back against the wall, clutchin’ his arm t’ him.
“Came out...” he gasped. “Saw the fire, I jumped them.”
“Why?” I asked, frowning. Hank blinked at me through his pain.
“Your home would be consumed by the blaze, as well as a few blocks of the city where others live as well,” he said plainly. “I could not allow that to happen.”
“You’re hurt,” I said. Hank nodded, an’ I walked over, sighin’ and grabbin’ his good arm. “C’mon up, I got bandages and stuff. Try anythin’ funny, though, an’ the gangers’ll have a time with your corpse.”
“Understood,” Hank chuckled softly, eyes glazing over. I dragged him, stumblin’ an’ gaspin’, up the stairs and int’ the room, going t’ the closet an’ diggin’ around the junk in there f’r a moment before I pulled out some old bandages I’d once found. I’d learned a long time ago not t’ waste nuthin’, and I tossed them t’ him.
“Try not t’ use it all,” I grunted. Hank sat against the wall an’ grunted aloud in pain as he gripped his arm, then started squeezin’ it up an’ down.
“What’re ya doin’?” I asked, angry if he was tryin’ t’ hurt himself more. He looked up, keen gaze jus’ askin’ me why I looked mad.
“If it’s not set, t’will never heal correctly,” he said.
“Oh,” I said, and watched him as he hissed through his teeth an’ continued t’ work on his arm, wobblin’ slightly.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” I said, glarin’ at him.
“T’is nothing, fair maid, fret not for my health,” Hank said grog’ly. “I was the unfortunate recipiant of a rather well aimed pipe to my head, that’s all.”
I heard the words at the end of the sentace, enough to know he’d been smacked during the fight.
Finally he finished an’ I watched him as he struggled t’ rise. I wanted t’ tell him not t’ bother, but I didn’t really want a stranger in my house.
Finally he groaned and pulled himself upright.
“My thanks...” he muttered, eyes unfocused as he looked at me an’ remained standin’ for a few seconds, then passed out cold and hit the floor with a crash. I jumped, then stared at him, suddenly seeing the dark spot on the back of his head, which was wet an’ looking like it was tricklin’ down the back a’ his neck. I groaned slightly m’self, not because he was bleedin’ but because I knew I’d let him stay here t’night. Goin’ over t’ my beddin’ all stuff I’d found an’ fought for, I picked out half a’ it, the worse half, an’ then made a second bed.
Lookin’ at how big this boy was I sighed an’ grabbed him under the armpits, managin’ t’ drag him away from the door as I grunted an’ finally got to dump him on the bed.
Then I walked back over t’ the leftover bandages and grabbed them, sighin’ t’ myself as I sat next t’ the kid’s head an’ got some torn cloth, pressin’ it over his wound an’ bindin’ it tightly with the last a’ my bandages.
- - -
The next mornin’ I didn’t leave the house all day, not ‘till I saw Hank stirrin’ an’ groanin’ in his sleep, slowly rousin’ himself from the depths a’ blood-losslessness.
He opened his eyes, then blinked, starin’ at the ceilin’ in confusion before turnin’ his head and wincing before he caught sight a’ me.
“What?” he said softly, an’ I could tell he was totally thrown off. I sighed.
“Ya passed out in my house,” I said. Hank looked upset.
“I’m sorry,” he groaned.
“Don’t be. Wouldn’t have a house t’ let ya pass out in, weren’t f’r you puttin’ out the fire,” I said, having already decided I owed him this favor at least. Hank nodded slowly, then tried to rise, and I put a foot on ‘im.
“Still,” I said. “You get up too quick n’ you’ll fall down again. Stay there.”
Gettin’ up I walked over to my food, which I’d rationed earlier, an’ grabbed some fruit an’ brought it back, givin’ some t’ Hank an’ munchin’ on some myself. but the blue boy didn’t eat, instead looked ashamed.
“I can’t,” he said. “I lost the ready supplies you gave me, and encroached on your territory.”
“Eat the damn fruit,” I snapped at him, an’ his expression went to stunned. I glared at him an’ shook my head. “When y’ can walk again, you can help me get more. Think you’ll be healed ‘nough in a coupla days?”
Hank stared at me for a long time, then nodded, a smile creeping across his lips.
“T’is a deal,” he said, eating some of the fruit. I looked at him and shrugged.
“You won’t be smilin’ when you have t’ carry back those loads a’ food with that arm a yers,” I said smirking back.