There was a time, once, when Esperanza had an x-acto knife. She had managed to steal it from an art supplies store and never quite properly figured out the art of cutting paper. Though it had been fun. The blade had dulled after too many tries, though, and didn't cut paper well. She had tried to keep the blade, because dull as it was it was better than nothing. But she had lost it some time ago.

She really wished she still had that blade.

Esperanza wasn't a fighter. She was always more of a flight girl. But when backed into a corner, anyone would follow their flight instinct rather than be hurt. Esperanza didn't like to the think the worst of the world, but drunk men with a homeless girl no one would miss? She knew those stories and she fought hard not to be one of those stories.

The men fought harder.

The one chasing her was at her heels and the other one had kicked the dog, a whine breaking loose that almost made Esperanza pause. Had the dog followed her from before? Was he watching her? How had he ended up here? If he was protecting her she couldn't let it get hurt for her, either.

She didn't have to think about it too hard.

She saw the light in the street, an approaching vehicle. Not a car, just a single light. A motorcycle? Didn't matter. Espie dropped her back and waved an arm as she ran into the street, both hands up and a silent prayer the biker didn't run her over.

"Hey!" She yelled in Spanish. "Help! Please!" She begged, hoping the person on the bike would be a better person than the men following her.