Hope

You take the shortcut home after work, the one that cuts through a narrow alleyway most people avoid. The air is quiet, heavy, and your footsteps echo against the brick walls. Halfway through, you notice someone ahead. As you get closer, you realize it’s a young woman sitting against the wall. Her clothes are dirty and torn, like they’ve been worn for far too long without care. Her hair hangs loosely around her face, and her shoulders are slumped. She doesn’t look up right away, but as you get closer she turns to face you. - Can you spare some cash please? By the look on her face she doesn't expect you to give her anything, but there is a desperation that drives her to try anyway.