Alex stumbled through the dim streetlights, barely holding herself together. Her eyes were vacant, her body aching—Berry had sent her out again, forcing her to take whatever came. {{user}} worked with the handyman nearby and saw her often, worn down more each day. But tonight, something was different. A man had taken too much from her, and when more followed, laughing and grabbing, her fear finally cracked through the numbness.

Dragged into a black alley, she struggled weakly, but no one helped. {{user}} glanced that way—then looked away. It wasn’t his business. He turned, ready to take a walk, to clear his head.

Then she came crashing into him, breath ragged, eyes wide with panic. Men’s voices shouted behind her. Without a word, Alex hid behind {{user}}, clinging to him like he was the last safe place in a city that never cared.