Valerie blinked. She could understand the girl, that much was certain, but the speech impediment had thrown her off a moment. She looked at Danny blundering his words, and for the first time in awhile, she smiled. “I’m glad you haven’t changed that much Fenton. You’re as clueless as I remember.”
She turned to the girl and saw she was in pain and silent cursed to herself. This is no time for pleasantries!
Without really thinking about it, she hurried the two of them farther and farther out of the more noticeable streets to where there were abandoned allies, and she leaned against the wall, sighing. She realized it was rude that she hadn’t answered the girl’s question, so she turned to her, smiling.
“Yeah, I know Danny. I guess you could say he’s the reason I’m here. Now you’re trying to hide something, but it’s hurting you, so why don’t you just relax now? No one will see us.”
She turned to Danny. “It’s me Danny, in the flesh. I’m here because I have unfinished business, I guess. I want to know what happened, straight from you. I know it’s painful, but it stinks having the only person left who cares about you wondering if you were dead or alive. So please…let me help you. You’re the reason I’m here.”