He watched her from where he was hidden until she almost turned the corner. Something had made her stop, she took two paces backwards. A homeless man appeared around the corner. He stood facing her, mumbled some words that could not be heard on this side of the street. She continued to back away and then he lunged at her. Beginning to run even before that he already had his belt wrapped around his hand. He pushed past the girl and swung the belt buckle, it caught the homeless on his cheek slashing a long red mark. Caught unawares he turned and ran. The girl was saying something to him about how grateful she was, thanking him until she saw him clearly. He did not hear her, he was gasping for breath, making clouds of steam like a fog between them. As she saw his clothes and his wild look she began to back off again heading back to the building's door. Half way there she stopped, came back and stood watching him.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have run away. It wasn't you I was just frightened you know I..."

He watched her silently wanting only to be able to breath again before he left. "I want to thank you for helping, I was so scared."

"That's all right, no problem." He turned to leave but was surprised when she reached out to take his arm.

"No, really I want to help. Let me give you some money. I don't have any cash but if you come inside I can get some."

"No."

It was a simple no, just that, he did not shout at her simply pulled his arm away. She did not understand. He could not take money. And he could not go inside. She began to come after him but when he turned to look Harry was holding her arm preventing her pursuit. He could not hear what Harry was saying but recognized Harry's look. It was the same look he had worn the last time they met.

The next morning he demanded more than their usual tithe from his clients. He hustled other people too. He knew if he continued this behavior he would be reported to the police. He did not care; he had to have a store of cash to last him over even the slim days of the weekend. Early Saturday morning he was crouched on the stairs watching the girl through the windows. He watched all day as she ate, read and watched TV. He looked at her face and the faces of her friends as they talked over the Net. At sunset he left his vantage reluctantly. Sunday morning he returned. By hustling for more cash in the mornings he was able to watch the apartment all day and still have enough for food. On the days when pickings were slim he simply went without food. Most weekdays the girl went to work, only on those very rare days did she stay home.

At first he did not approach her or let her see him at all. But on the days she was home and went for a walk or to shop the temptation to follow her was irresistible. Still he did not let her see him. One Sunday she walked to Church, as she waited with the rest of the congregation for the church doors to be opened, he stood in the shadows across the street. When the service was over she began walking home and he followed. Turning the corner near the apartment she was lost from view, when he rounded the corner she was waiting for him. He turned to go at once.

"I saw you following me, are you watching over me?"

"What, no." He did not understand then realized she thought he was protecting her.

"I meant what I told you. I want to help."

"You can't help me, nobody can."

He sat with Rosie that night in 'her' doorway a large sheltered place she shared with others but where Jonathon could only visit. They shared a bottle.

"You have to stop seeing that girl."

"How did you know?" Jonathon began to argue but Rosie's look stopped him.

"Haven't you learnt anything? They watch you all the time."

"Who, the police?"

"No, not them, us, we watch you. The police only get told if it's necessary. If you step out of line."

He had promised Rosie he would stay away but a few day's later he was back.

"Do you realize what will happen to you if they find out you have helped me in any way, no matter how small?"

"How could the authorities know?"

"They find out." He could the determination on her face. "Don't you care what I did, why I'm...like this?"

"No, I don't care I just want to help."