[ WP ] Everybody has a small animal with them representing their self image . A politician might have a well-groomed parrot , a bartender might have a pitbull ... This is the first time you 've ever met somebody with a bloody and abused familiar .

I watched her for a second. She was curled up in the alley sobbing quietly to herself. In her arms she held a soft furry ball of fluff. I could n't tell what it was. 
 
 `` Hey, are you okay?'' I took a step toward her and set my backpack down near the entrance to the alley. She froze when she heard my voice and peeked at me from behind her sleeves. 
 
 The first thing I noticed was her eyes. Though streaked with tears and bloodshot they were still beautiful. A bright shade of blue that matched the sky. Her hair was dark brown with a streak of blond in it, and it stuck to her wet face. I took another step. 
 
 She quickly scooted away from me, fearful of what I might do. I felt something brush my leg and looked down. The familiar face of my raccoon, Scrappers, looked up at me expectantly. 
 
 I took another step toward her. `` I'm not going to hurt you, what's wrong?'' 
 
 `` P-please, just go away. I d-do n't want any trouble.'' 
 
 `` Neither do I. Can I help you? Do you need me to call someone?'' 
 
 `` No. Just go. Please...'' She held that bundle of fluff tighter. I could see blood, but I could n't tell if it was her or the animal she was clutching. Scrappers scurried away from me and up to her, holding out his paws. She smiled and wiped her eyes. `` Hi little one..'' 
 
 `` Thats Scrappers.'' I said, sitting down where I was. `` He and I are treasure hunters.'' I snapped my fingers and Scrappers ran back to me. I pointed to my backpack and he ran to retrieve it for me. 
 
 `` He's cute.'' The girl said. `` But theres no treasure here. This is the city.'' 
 
 `` Theres treasure everywhere you look.'' I smiled. `` Its not gold or diamonds, but its there.'' Scrappers dragged my backpack to me and I opened it up, pulling out a roll of gauze. `` I see you're hurt. Can I help you?'' 
 
 `` Its not me.'' She said, `` It's my rabbit.'' She held the bundle out. The light tan fur was stained red. It was barely breathing. 
 
 `` What happened?'' I said, scooting a little closer to her. Scrappers sniffed the injured rabbit curiously. I reached out my hand and she pulled back. 
 
 `` N-nothing.'' She replied, looking away from me. `` Its nothing.'' 
 
 Like hell it is. Her familiar was lying there dying. And by the power invested in me by my own wit, I was going to help. `` Please let me help. I know what to do. I've patched up Scrappers plenty of times after a few bad run-ins. Right boy?'' 
 
 Scrappers nodded, lifting his front leg to show the patch of bare fur and the scar on his belly. She looked at him with wonder, and it seemed to fill her with a bit more trust. She sighed and extended her arms out again. I took the rabbit carefully and noticed the scars on her arms. I did n't ask ber about them. 
 
 I worked quickly, addressing the rabbit's worst wounds. I'm surprised it was still breathing at all. Cuts and scraps all over its tiny body. Bruising everywhere too. Bones were clearly broken, and while I worked I could hear her crying softly. I wondered what had happened. 
 
 Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, I finished. I wrapped the rabbit in a towel I had and handed the bundle back to her. Already the rabbit looked better. 
 
 `` Thank you.'' She said. My heart dropped at the smile she gave me. 
 
 `` It was nothing.'' I replied, blushing a bit. `` Got ta know how to fix yourself up with my lifestyle. Say, you wan na get out of here? We can get some food or something.'' I extended my hand to help her up. She she accepted it. 
 
 `` Thank you, but I should probably be getting home. Father does n't like me out this late.'' She pushed past me and began to walk back toward the street. 
 
 As she approached the road, a large rottwieler walked toward her growling. She gasped and backed away, back towards me. 
 
 `` No. No, please... I was just coming back home!'' She begged at the man that followed the dog. He was huge, muscular and mean. He smelled like a bad mix of body oder and stale whiskey. Scrappers began to growl, and I felt myself getting angry. 
 
 `` I wanted you home hours ago!'' The man yelled. He lundged forward and grabbed her my the wrist. She screamed and tried to fight back, dropping the wounded rabbit. The dog pounced, thrashing and chopping at it. The man drew a knife. `` I'm fucking tired of you! I fucking hate you! You're the reason your mother died!'' 
 
 I did n't think. I just acted. 
 
 I yelled and ran at the man. Throwing my whole bodyweight into him and knocking him down. The dog dropped the rabbit and Scrappers jumped on him. I stomped on the mans throat before grabbing her and the rabbit. We ran as quickly as we could. 
 
 We ran until we were sure he would n't find us. While we were catching our breath I looked her over. She did n't look hurt. Just her pride. The rabbit looked to be ok too. Surprisingly. 
 
 `` Your father?'' 
 
 `` Yeah...'' She said. 
 
 `` So, my offer still stands. You can still come with me if you want.'' 
 
 `` Alright. Sure. But first I want to know something.'' 
 
 `` Yeah?'' 
 
 `` What's your name?''
