a's

l you pay up? T

ooden door over and over again, rattling it on its weak hinges. I remained still, my breath shallow, pressing my back against

ere and pay up my mone

to the distance. Only then did I allow myself a shaky sig

by clothes, no savings. The little money I scraped together barely kept me fed, let alone secured my future. Every day was a

ar companion, whispering to me at all hours. I pressed my head against the cracked wall, the rough surface biting into my skin. So

egnant woman. But this was my reality-the only thing I

ldn't afford to starve. I peered through the small, dust-covered window, scanning the narrow

ft. My fingers lingered on the fabric, remembering the way Michael had smiled when he gave it to

determined. I had one mission-find a job. Any job. Because no

n't let my

k here, okay?

n. Another door

oice cracked as I foug

h pity, as if my very existence burdened her. "Look at you... you'r

grasping her hand. "I can manage. I can do th

didn't matter. She pulled her hand away

ack on me, walking away as if I were

to stop the tears threatening to spill. The rejection stung, but the humiliation cut deeper.

nd walked outside, the weight of exhaustion pressing down on me. My bod

ed. Starving. And the worst part? I knew I had no choice but to wait-wait until ni

only chanc

ersby. Their judgment meant nothing to me anymore. I closed my eye

never has to die

rifying. But before I could dwell on it any longer,

tap jolte

ing here?" a sha

I looked up. A woman stood over me, hand

quickly, pushing myself u

lying there?"

close," I admitted, my voi

eyebrows knitting

roat. "I'm starving... and th

htly before she turned on her heel and disappeared inside. I lowe

rned. In her hands

od toward me. "Take it. I don't wa

intense that my eyes b

food tightly. I bowed slightly in gratitude,

my small space,

was o

hed forward, my fingers trembling

ed under my breath, my st

en it

een thr