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Malik wandered around the crowded streets with no particular place in mind. He was tired and hungry. He'd just finished a nice long ten hour shift down at the local ramen shop. Damn kids. You'd think they'd have plenty of ramen to make at home. But oh no, they crowded into the shop like the stuff was going out of stock. He breathed a sigh of relief, taking a final drag on his cigarette. He was so glad the day was over. He hadn't been this tired in ages. His head was pounding from all the screaming and the yelling. So many orders. Not enough dishes, another employee was late again. He needed to get the manager to seriously fire that guy. He never showed, it was starting to become really ridiculous.

The streets glowed with pretty hanging paper lanterns. The smells of hot, tasty food filling the air. It was a total tease. He didn't get paid til next week and was currently living off the left over ramen his boss so generously offered him. Since he didn't have a thing at his house to eat, he wasn't about to complain. It was hot, it would keep him full, and possibly just keep him alive for another day. Malik never really was much of a cook. But he didn't have a real choice in learning either. When his parents and siblings died, he was alone. His extended family didn't want him, his friends couldn't take him in. For a good couple of years he was nothing more than a rent boy and street trash. Doing what he could to survive. Good thing there were a bunch of sick demons down here, otherwise he'd have died ages ago.

As he walked down the crowded streets, he weaved through the crowds, 'Nearly home.' he thought. The crowds seemed to be growing thicker by the minute. He wondered if there was some festival going on that he didn't know about or was it just that time of day? You'd think considering the time of day he'd gotten off everyone would be home snuggling up in their warm beds and cuzzy homes. Must be nice to have some fancy, well up to do house. Right now his current place was nothing but a shithole. But it was a dry shithole, so he had to give it some credit. Not to mention the lights actually worked and there was AC and heating. At his last apartment he'd nearly frozen to death after the AC got stuck on full blast and the stupid landlord wouldn't do a thing to fix it. He sighed once more, throwing the cigarette butt into the nearby river. Yes, it had been a busy day and he couldn't wait to get home.

"So are the fumes from cars and factories, but you don't seem too worried about them." He replied, pulling out his pack of cigarettes and slipping another between his lips. He inhaled deeply as he lit it, his eyes flicking between the girl and the river as he let the smoke fill and burn his lungs. He couldn't help but notice the way she was sitting and shivering. It was obvious something had happened. He wasn't about to ask what exactly frankly because he wasn't one to pry into other peoples business. He sighed as he blew out the smoke, feeling much more relaxed. He shook his head as the girl still sat there shivering, it wasn't exactly cold, but it wasn't warm either. In his opinion it was just perfect. But from the way she was shivering, you'd think it was ten below. He unbuttoned his jacket and dropped it on her head, taking a seat on the ground a few feet away from her. "So why do you care if I throw a butt into the river? Would you have rather I chucked it somewhere into the street and accidentally hit someone with a lit butt?" he asked, smirking as he lay back in the grass and took another puff. If not for the noisy crowd, he could seriously think about sleeping right there on that small hill. A pretty starry sky above him, a gorgeous silver moon shining brightly, the sparkling lights of the city combined with all the different buildings. It was one of his favorite things about the city. Everything just seemed to fit so well together even though it was all so random. He returned his attention to the girl as he waited for a reply. "What's wrong?" he asked, when she remained silent.

He nodded after she thanked him. Watching her for a moment lift her head to the sky before giving him another answer. "Really? So I take it you ran away from home, never plan on going home until your demands are met, and until then you're gonna stay out here in the open for the world to find you. Nice. Although I would've choosen a spot that could hide me a bit better. But hidden among the crowds, not bad, though I may remind you once I leave and you stay on this river bank you're pretty much screwed considering we're the only two sitting here." He took blew his smoke to the sky, smiling at the girl."I would offer you a place to stay, but you seem like you can handle yourself. Am I right?" he watched her for several minutes. She looked so strong, but at the same time at any given moment she might just break. He sat up and offered her a cigarette, she looked like she could also you one. Like her day was about as long and tiresome as his own. "Names Malik. And you?" he asked.

When she shook her head, he shrugged and leaned over and stuff the pack into the jacket around his shoulders. Pleasures all mine.....eh I don't really feel right about leaving you out here. It's dangerous in this part of town. And I'd feel bad if when I got home I saw on the news they found you dead or something." Malik took another puff on his cigarette, tapping it a few times as the ashes on the end fell to the ground. "It's not much, but if you want, I have a spare room you can use for the night. If you don't want it, I won't force you. Leave you about your business and hopefully things will work out for you. What say you?" he asked, turning to the girl. He blushed a bit as she smiled at him. She was very pretty and he couldn't help but find himself smiling back at her.

"Nah, it's fine. As long as you don't mind pitbulls and the smell of smoke. Like I said, I'd feel bad if I left you out in the cold." he said, as he blew out the smoke, watching it swirl through the air. "I'm used to having strangers over so it's no big deal." Malik took another puff on his cigarette before twisting it out into the ground and put the rest of it into his pocket, he'd find a trashcan with an ashtray on the way to his house. Til then, hopefully he wouldn't forget it was in there. He stood from the ground and dusted himself off before extending a hand down to her. "Or if you want, I'll walk back to your house. Either is fine. But you really shouldn't be out here alone. It's getting late." Malik looked at his watch, nearly two in the morning. He'd gotten up around this time sometime yesterday. Stupid boss, always over working him and wondering just why he hated the job. But right now a job was a job and he wasn't about to quit. He looked down at Aya again. She seemed to be hesitating. Maybe it was the eye patch? Chicks always seemed a little iffy around him because of it. "Miss Aya?" he asked still holding his hand out to her.

Malik smiled and helped her stand before leading her back up to the streets. Holding her hand tightly in his own. Strange, he thought she would've been taller than she was. She came just barely to his shoulder. They weaved through the crowded streets, leading her down a few less crowded alleys. He hated being out this time of day. It was so hard to get around. Finally they came upon a more residental area. The sounds of crickets could be heard chirping, and dim street lights cleared the way. Tall apartments and other buildings could be seen everywhere. He squeezed the girls hand, pulling her along as they passed several hookers and other random people. He needed to move. He wanted to move. But where could he go? He was working two jobs, in school and could barely make rent. There was nowhere to move. Not anywhere cheap anyways.

They made their way to a slightly better looking neighborhood and he came short to an apartment building at the corner. He punched in a five digit code to the gate and walked inside. Thank God no one was outside. He hated his neighbors with a passion and they were always threatening him about something. A bunch of old school humans that didn't know how to keep their mouths shut. Towards the back of the complex, they came to a town house with a small driveway and backyard, a dog could be heard barking loudly from behind the fence "Shush Princess, I'll feed you in a minute."he said as he let go of her hand and walked up to the ironclad door, pulled out a key and unlocked it. "Ladies first." he said politely, holding the door open for her. He flipped a few switches and the place lit up like a beacon. The ways were white, covered with different pieces of artwork and posters.Hardly any white showed through. The wood panel flooring was also covered by a brilliant colored rug. In the small living room was a plasma on one wall, an xbox 360 and numerous games, a love seat and matching chair. The window was covered with a heavy black curtain. He lead her upstairs and flipped another light switch. "You can just move crap out of your way, bathroom's over there, can take a shower if you need one.....um clean sheets are in the closet, and there's probably a few clean clothes as well if you wanna change." he said. The room was filled with many things as well. Just as the living room, the walls were covered and lined with bookshelves. The shelves overflowing with many books and art supplies. A queen sized mattress lay on two box spring on the floor, An ashtray lay on the floor with some more boxes lined against it. "Do you need anything? Are you hungry? Tired?" he asked as he moved to the room just a few steps across the hall, turned on the light and threw he back onto a hair. He leaned against the frame, watching her watch him.

Malik shook his head. "Just my dog Princess. But I mainly keep her outside, she can be a bit of a handful and I don't need her chewing up my latest sofa." he said grinning. He could tell by the way she was standing she was feeling uncomfortable. He wondered should he tell her? Might put her at ease. Then again following a stranger willingly into their home, yeah he'd probably be a bit iffy about that person. He pulled away from the door frame and went into his room, shutting the door most of the way. "You can calm down, you know." he called out to her as he removed his eye patch and started changing clothes. He pulled on a clean t-shirt and a pair of gray drawstring pajama pants. "I know, follow a guy home kinda suspicious, but I promise I'm not going to touch you." He came back into the door frame. He hoped she wouldn't stare because underneath the patch lay an ugly X shaped scar over where his eye once was. "You can trust me." he said softly.