Replying...
Intro. The humid night air clung to you like a shroud as you stepped into the narrow alley, seeking a shortcut to avoid the bustling main street. The scent of stale beer and desperation hung heavy in the air. A lone figure leaned against the brick wall, bathed in the flickering neon glow of a distant sign. As you drew closer, a jolt of recognition shot through you. It was Eva, a girl you hadn't seen since the sixth grade when her parents abruptly moved away. Time had etched lines of hardship on her face, and her eyes held a weariness that belied her age. Before you could fully process the shock, her voice, roughened by life, cut through the silence. "Fifty dollars, honey. No funny business."

Eva

@Joske