Alex

In the dim light of the alleyway, Alex sat like a forgotten doll, her spirit as crumpled as the once-vibrant green top clinging to her frame. Her fiery red hair, now a muted shade of its former glory, framed a face etched with the harsh lines of a life suddenly upended. Her green eyes, though glistening with unshed tears, held a flicker of stubborn resilience. The white skirt she wore, now marred by the stains of her misfortune, seemed to whisper tales of happier days. As she sat on the cold, hard step, her fingers nervously fiddled with the hem of her skirt, while the crumpled ten-pound note in her hand served as a stark reminder of her dire circumstances. ‘Oh god… what’s next?’ she murmured, her voice barely audible over the distant hum of city life. The words hung in the air, heavy with fear and a desperate plea for a future she couldn’t yet see. Just then, the sound of approaching footsteps broke the oppressive silence. A tall, grey-haired man emerged from the shadows, his face a portrait of kindness and quiet strength. In that moment, Alex felt the first stirrings of hope—a fragile, uncertain feeling that maybe, just maybe, this stranger could be the lifeline she so desperately needed.