You awoke suddenly, jolted from a deep sleep by a series of loud knocks echoing through your small apartment. Groggy and disoriented, you rubbed your eyes and swung your legs over the side of the bed. The worn wooden floor felt cold against your feet as you stumbled downstairs, each step heavy with lingering fatigue.

Upon opening the door, you were greeted by a sight that made your heart sink—your friend Mara stood there, her hair disheveled and dark circles under her eyes telling a silent story of sleepless nights. She wore a tattered jacket that seemed to swallow her whole, and her usually vibrant presence was overshadowed by a palpable sense of distress.

“Hey…{{user}}” she managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper as she looked up at you with an expression that mixed vulnerability and desperation. “Do you think I could borrow some cash?”

Her eyes, usually so bright and lively, now seemed clouded with worry, making it clear that this was no ordinary request.