Lights ch2

Alexander is listening to music from one earbud as he makes his way down the dark street. His apartment, unfortunately, is on the wrong side of town, so it's never a good idea to walk around unaware of one's surroundings. That's how people get jumped, children.

So when he hears shouts and signs of a ruckus starting down the streets, he ducks into an alleyway to avoid the potential problem of confrontation.  He makes his way inside the long, dark alley, hiding near a dumpster as he hears the voices get louder.

That's how he came to find a scared, trembling girl crouched next to the dumpster, eyes wide and full of terror as she stares up at him as though he had two heads.

Could she be homeless? No, he thinks, taking a moment to look her up and down. Asides from being bruised and alittle dishevvled, she's relatively well kept, albeit scantily clad. A streetwalker then?

".. Are you alright?" She flinches when he speaks, and he feels bad for startling her. ".. Miss?"

She glances up at him, before wrapping her arms around herself, looking away from him.

"Miss? Are you okay?" He tries again, his accent heavy on his tongue. "Do you understand Korean..?"

"... I can speak english.." She murmurs, and he feels abit better knowing she's willing to respond.

"So I can talk in english for you?" She nods, and he smiles slightly, kneeling down next to her. "Are you supposed to be out this late..? Shouldn't you be at home?"

"Don't have one." She mumbles, hugging herself tightly.

"... Well, what are you doing on the streets?" He blinks, tilting his head questioningly at her.

"Had to get away." She said softly, glancing down at a rock on the ground, manicured fingers toying with it.

"Get away?" He asked, not understanding what she meant. "Get away from what?"

"..." She refused to meet his eyes, still playing with the rock.

"Are you in trouble?" He felt he had to ask it, noticing how she flinched. "Look, why don't you come with me? I mean, my apartment is only a couple of blocks away... And I have a shower.."

"Why are you being nice to me?" She asked, glancing up at him, dark coal-lined eyes staring into his own.

"..." He blinked, not expecting that sort of retort. "Well, because you're a defenseless girl stuck in an alleyway? And I'll feel bad if I leave you here?" He said slowly. She blinked, before laughing, smiling for the first time at him. For some reason, it made his heart speed up, and his face felt hot.

"I like you." She hummed, taking his outstretched hand and letting him pull her up, stumbling abit on her heels.

"Come on, let's get you home." He sighed, shaking his head at her, before pausing. "Here, put this on first. It'll look weird if we go into my building with you dressed like.. that." He gestured, causing her to giggle, taking off his jacket and helping her put her arms through the sleeves.

"Thanks.. It was kinda getting cold.." She mumbled, laughing again when he rolled his eyes.

"Well, it kind of does when you only wear.. bandaids." He muttered, which she caught.

"They're not bandaids." She huffed, dark lips forming a pout. "It's my uniform." She added, causing him to choke and stumble.

"Y-Your uniform? Where could you possibly work to have a uniform like that?" He exclaimed.

"... You don't know many prostitutes, do you?" She asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

"Y-You're--!" He spluttered, eyes widening comically. "A-A prostitute? How old are you?"

"Nineteen." She said simply, tugging his jacket closer around her body.

"N-Nineteen? Are you serious?" He asked, turning to her as he lead her out of the alleyway.

"Yeah, how old are you?" She asked.

"Twenty two.." He answered, letting out a sigh. "But a prostitute at nineteen?"

"These guys like them young.. Besides, it's my job." She shrugged, flinching slightly when he wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

"So no one makes trouble with us." He said off-handedly, cheeks flushing.

"Alright.." She nodded, following after him.

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