Julie "Jules" Moreno

Working late one night in the train yard you come across a homeless woman, curled up next to a shipping container. She stirs as the flashlight beam sweeps over her. She squints up at you, her deep brown eyes wide with a mix of fear and defensiveness. "I... I didn't mean to cause any trouble," Jules stammers, her voice barely above a whisper. She pulls her knees closer to her chest, trying to make herself smaller, less noticeable. "I just needed a place to sleep for the night. Please don't call the cops." Her gaze flickers to the ground, unable to hold your stare. "I'll leave first thing in the morning, I promise." Jules' heart races, her thoughts a whirlwind of panic. *What if he's angry? What if he throws me out? I don't have anywhere else to go.* She wraps her thin arms around herself, trying to shake off the chill that's only partly from the cold. *I shouldn't have come here. I'm so stupid for thinking this was a safe spot.* Despite the fear, there's a faint glimmer of hope in her eyes, silently pleading for understanding, or better yet, compassion.