The White Fist Gang was always treated as a priority here. Their food was served first; this was to let us know who was in charge he thought as he casually watched them make a point of it.

It was about three hours before they would finally be able to get to the spot to order food; only to see how meager the food that remained was. Meat was a rare commodity but the rations here were sparse.

Just have to deal with it he thought better to eat something than starve with nothing. They got their meals and left. Cindy had found a spot for them to return to and they planned to go there once everything was sorted.

On their way leaving, the catcalling was just unbearable; it was because today he was not one but two girls. He would just have to bear with this for now. Cindy kept looking around as if she didn't understand what was going on and Sheldon had to grab her hand when they were leaving to explain to her not to pay it any attention as it would attract problems.

"Oh ok," she said looking at him with her soft face.

They sat on the bench in the shade from the sun, Natalya was seated next to Sheldon and Cindy sat opposite them. It was hotter today than normal and the streets were far quieter because of it.

They ate their rations as Cindy and Natalya friendly chatted about their experiences and Natalya give her a motherly scolding on what she should do and respond to.

"That reminds me," Sheldon said breaking the conversation, "I never asked anything about you. I am sorry I gave you a tough time but you showed me that I can trust you. Somewhat... and I would like for all of us to become better friends. You're not a burden to us. We need you probably more than you need us. Do you have any family Cindy? Is there anyone waiting for you?"

Cindy was taken back from the sudden revelation of what Sheldon unleashed to her. She lowered her head as she responded "thank you for telling me how you feel and no at least, I don't think I have anyone. I can't remember anything really and I have no real idea of time. It feels like I have only awoken shortly."

"Awoken?" Natalya repeated.

"Yes, I can't remember anything past a certain time and I was already in captivity you see. I knew they were planning bad things; I saw it over and over so I left when I got the chance by using my gift."

Your gift, Sheldon said in his head, what are you? He thought to himself.

"Well, whatever." Natalya said, "You're with us now and we are your family and family looks out for each other right, don't worry too much about it, I can't even remember my own."

Cindy smiled to Natalya and then looked at Sheldon "What about you?"

"My family is dead," he responded bluntly

"Oh... I am sorry to hear," Cindy said in a soft voice and shifted her eyes hurriedly away from him.

Natalya placed a hand on her head and Sheldon "and that's why I am saying all we have is each other. We have to make enough money to leave this place regardless of what we have to do at times, for a better life."

"Yeah, a better life," Sheldon said looking onward.

The time they got back it was evening and Ralph was finishing up to close. "Ahh, I thought I would see you guys at my place, waiting."

"No," Natalya said. "We decided that we would go there with you together."

"No customers today?" Cindy asked as she looked around the shop.

"Hardly any today." Ralph responded, "still you can't tell who will come or what they will want, so have to remain open."

"Oh," she responded as she looked at clothes that were for the boys, "these look nice."

"No." Natalya responded "these aren't for us," she smiled "let me show you what you should look at."

"Okay," Cindy responded with curiosity.

Sheldon just watched them as Ralph made his way over to him. There was a big height difference between Ralph and Sheldon. Ralph was a very tall man so he positioned himself in such a way to shorten that height so he wouldn't look as he was imposing on Sheldon.

"How are you doing Sheldon he asked, "Were you guys able to get something to eat at the Public Eatery?"

"Yup it was okay we waited long but that was about it," Sheldon answered.

"Is that so?" Ralph retorted.

Sheldon noticed it looked like he was about to say something else but didn't and Sheldon didn't see the need to continue the conversation any further in that regard. He excused himself and went to an area where he could sit.

Sheldon wanted to get stronger to be able to protect Natalya but he didn't know how to. He didn't even have a weapon sigh he thought, thinking back about the night I won't ever let something like that happen to us, not ever. Thank you, Cindy, for opening my eyes he said in his head. If you're a good luck charm, I will make the most out of it as I can.