Perfect Sacrifice by Jack Parker Page A

serious disadvantage. If all five were to try and take her on, she would lose, hands down. She was cocky, not stupid. However, that said nothing of her arrogance.
    "Come on girl," coaxed another one. "Just give us your money, and you're free to go. How hard is that?"
    "I said I don't have any," she told them, showing that she wasn't afraid. "Now get out of my way." As her egoistic attitude took hold of her, she crossed the line of being cocky and being ignorant. She tried to walk through the group of men, but one grabbed her shoulder, her injured shoulder. She cringed as pain surged through the recently reconnected joint, and she cried out when he shoved her to the ground, causing her to partially fall on her left arm. She just laid there for a moment, doing her best to override the sensation spreading through her body. Eventually, she began to try and get back up.
    "You should've listened, woman," stated one of the men as he smirked sadistically at her. Ray began to realize how stupid her actions had been. Hundreds of thoughts were running through her head. However, most were questions about what was going to happen to her. Not a single one was a solution to her problem.
    One of the men was about to step forward, but a tapping on his shoulder drew his attention elsewhere. As he began turning to see who or what it was, a fist connected with the side of his face, and Leon entered the circle of men. The one he had punched fell to the ground, unconscious. This quickly drew the attention of the other four.
    Ray was now leaning against her good arm, relying on her elbow to keep her up. She was staring at Leon as he drew the men's attention away from her. She was a little shocked, but at the same time she couldn't help but feel relieved. One thing was for sure though. She was going to owe him for this.
    "Who're you?" asked one of the men, his voice a little uneven. After all, it wasn't everyday your leader was decked by a stranger. Leon just kept a straight face with an uninterested glare in his eyes.
    "It's not a fair fight," he told the man simply. "It's a shame you have to pick on an injured girl just to make a little cash." One of the men tried to punch him, but he moved enough to dodge. Leon then kneed the man in the stomach. He fell to the ground like his leader.
    The other men began to back up, moving carefully away from their downed friends. Leon just stared at them, a calm look upon his face. His hands were now in his pockets. He was defenseless. However, the men didn't appear to want to fight anymore. Not one of them particularly liked getting hit.
    "If we're done here," began Leon, "then take these two and leave." The men quickly obeyed, not wanting a senseless fight like their two friends. Money wasn't worth going through pain. They grabbed their two unconscious comrades and ran.
    Leon watched them scurry away and sighed to himself. He wasn't sure just what had made him decide to get involved. However, he wouldn't have been able to just stand by and watch as they harassed a woman, even if that said girl was a problem to begin with. He slowly turned towards Ray, who was beginning to get to her feet. She was having a few problems though.
    "Here," said Leon, offering her his hand. She didn't say anything to him at first. She was just staring at his outstretched hand, almost as if she was debating on whether to take it or not. Her eyes quickly narrowed, and she turned away from him.
    "I don't need help," she whispered arrogantly. He glared at her in annoyance as she refused to take his hand. Then again, he should have been expecting a reaction like that. He had already learned once before that she wasn't too fond of accepting help.
    "What's your problem?" he asked her a bit harshly.
    "I don't need your help nor do I want it!" she lied. She really had been afraid a few moments ago. In the back of her mind, she had been praying that someone would help her. When Leon had appeared, she had been thanking God for his interjection.