Sheldon stretched as Cindy sat on the floor reading her book. He had become friendlier with her than before. He didn't know when it started to happen or when did she get so familiar calling his name; sometimes it would irritate him if he found her being so friendly. She seemed to know now just how much to push, was this Natalya's doing? Natalya was sleeping now. She cherished the bed as much as it were a god and slept on it religiously.

He looked at Cindy from the corner of his eyes as he lay in the chair. Anyway, she earned her keep. Since she had tagged along, they had been able to earn far more money than before. She was able to predict safe targets and who would be carrying larger amounts of money very accurately thus making the robberies they had to do fewer, safer and bigger payoffs. Sheldon always made sure to mark and cover his face as he could end up meeting that person again although they choose areas far away from where they normally stayed.

Cindy also became an information hub she would write information down as she heard it from various people talking and rumors and then recheck it later. It was thanks to this information that they knew how many gangs were in the area. They even had a map now of the area that they were located in and Cindy had marked each territory of each gang on a new map by lines which she had redrawn to copy back the respective map.

Sheldon was shocked but looking at Ralph's face at the time it was even more shocked than his. They were three main gangs in the area, the White Fist Gang, Shockers and Bruisers, and the Marshmellow society. She had smaller groups as well but where they were located was between the three major powers and they had their hands on everything according to Cindy.

"Is something the matter Sheldon?" she asked, she looked at him, with that face again.

"Nothing," he said gazing away, "I was just thinking."

She smiled softly and said, "okay is it something you want to share with me?" Her gaze still locked on him as she waited for him to respond.

He remained silent and Cindy who had grown accustomed to him didn't press it any further and continued reading her book.

Ralph had been good to them he thought although he hadn't quite adjusted to him either. He saw that he could be counted on as a reliable person; still he didn't want to remain here forever. Alot had changed for them. Since they stayed at Ralph, their faces and bodies had never been cleaner. He offered them many clothes but Sheldon opted for them to stick to clothes that made them not stand out. He even put holes in his own clothes in certain areas so it wouldn't draw too much attention and although they were living better than they were before, Sheldon wanted to leave this city. He didn't want to stay here forever.

"How much would we need to leave this city?" Sheldon asked loudly.

"Where would we go then?" Cindy responded still reading.

"Maselon," he responded.

"Why there?" she said not looking at him.

"It's where I use to live and its where I must return to," Sheldon said

Cindy merely turned the page before responding, "I heard that to leave the city cost a fortune, and for a person in Desolation to leave was near impossible."

"Where would you get that kind of money from Sheldon?" Cindy asked she looked at him from the corner of her eyes before focusing back on her book.

"I don't know as yet but I know it can be done. I heard rumors that it was possible, that people have done it." he replied "If I don't believe it, what I want won't come true. I know that you could help me, help us get out of here, I believe in you and your gift to see us get through."

"Thank you, Sheldon." Cindy responded," If it's for you or Natalya I will always give my best."

They had been together for a while now and he wanted to hear her opinions as he found he could open up to her more and more. He had placed a lot of trust in her when they were out doing things. Sometimes solely based on what she thought was the best move and it had worked out. Maybe he could consider her to be a friend he thought.

"Tell me, Cindy, what do you think of me? "Sheldon asked

"Honest opinion?" Cindy replied trying to hold back a smile.

"Yes, give me your honest opinion," Sheldon said with a serious face.

"Well, you're a jerk..." Cindy said with a chuckle.

"Whatttt?" Sheldon replied in shock.

Hahaha, she laughed loudly, "I didn't expect that reaction." she said "but I couldn't help it. The book I read said that if you trying to build friendships you should address the person's problems but maybe it was a bit to direct."

"So that's what you truly think." As Sheldon straightened himself up on the chair to being fully seated.

"No but that just how you come across, I think you're a good person, you just don't know how to express yourself, at least that's what I gathered from what I read. I didn't know how best to talk to you before but I think I am learning now." Cindy said looking at him with the book covering her face.

"So it was Natalya then that---"Sheldon started but was interrupted.

"No.," she said " I made these changes on my own because I wanted to better get along with you Sheldon. I want you to acknowledge me as well, it's always Natalya for you but I am your friend too."

Sheldon rested himself back as he laid himself down on the couch. "Fine at least I know what you think about me." He said

"And what do you think about me, Sheldon?" Cindy asked looking away from him.

"Weird," Sheldon said without even thinking about it.

"Weird. Is that in a good way?" Cindy responded tilting her head slightly.

"No just weird full stop," Sheldon answered back.

"I guess that's fine then." Cindy chuckled at least you think about me in some way.

"I am heading out for a bit Cindy, I need to do some thinking about our next move, maybe something will come to me," Sheldon said.