They nibble on their snacks. Kathy finds a deli in a little side street where she gets them two cups of steaming coffee. Taking a break from walking they rest on a little bench. "Shucks! I forgot my shades in that store. Wait here, I'll be right back. I can count on you to defend my seat, right?" Kathy winks.
"Will fight for it with my life." Gene answers with a clipped, conspiratorial voice.
"Good. I count on you."
She grins while she heads back to the little deli and cafe. Gene was so much fun, too bad she hasn't found out more about his missing friend. And too bad that he had to go back to work soon.
When she enters the store the woman behind the counter already holds out her shades to her. "Thanks! Story of my life, I'd forget my head if it wasn't attached to my body."
Kathy sips her coffee when suddenly someone blocks her way. "Hey gorgeous. My, what a nice big bag you have there."
"What..?"
Ice cold eyes that belong to a mean looking man stare at her. "Give me your bag bitch. Now."

Trying to back away she shakes her head, "no. I...no. Come on. I really need to leave now. This is ....please."

Not her bag. Not today when almost all the money she's made in the last couple of months is in there. All the money she needs to buy her dress and get other things for the weekend she's planned for months. Why hasn't she left the damn bag in the car? Why weren't there any people here?
"Please?" The guy mocks her. "What's in there that is more important than your health...your life?" He flexes his gloved hands, makes a fist with the right one. "I'm not kidding. Give it to me. NOW!"
Kathy backs away another step but shakes her head, "no. Look, I can't. Not today. No... you don't understand, see I..."
"Shut up bitch."
She throws her paper cup in his face and tries to run. But he grabs his hand and furiously strikes her across the face twice very hard knocking her against the wall of the next building.
Blood is dripping from her nose and her left eye hurts like crazy.
Despite the dizziness and blackness that threatens to take her - despite the sickness she feels, she hold on to her bag with a death grip.

"NO! HELP, HELP! " She yells and tries to get to his face with out streched fingers of one hand. "NO!"
She scratches across the skin using all the force she can manage, drawing blood. With a grunt the man's hands go to his face. Kathy takes a step towards him and pulls her knee up as hard as she can. Her aim is a little off and before she can try again he strikes her again...





