Abby

A sudden jolt of fear seizes me as I lock eyes with the man at the far end of the alley.

“You there!” he repeats, taking another step closer. “What are you—”

“Um… Karl? John?” I call out, mainly out of instinct. If there’s one thing that living in the city over the past

few years has taught me, it’s not to trust strange men, especially not in the middle of the night.

“Wait, I—”

The back door slams open before the man can finish, spilling yellow light from the kitchen out into the

alley. John and Karl burst outside, alarmed by the commotion.

“What’s going on? Are you okay?” John asks, his eyes widening as he spots the stranger.

Enter title…

Karl, not waiting for an answer, storms toward the man, his face twisted in anger. “Hey, what do you think

you’re doing here, bothering a woman in the middle of the night?” he growls, grabbing the man by his

pulling

point a trembling finger at

throw all

bowl in my hands, feeling my stomach sink just

good food. My heart’s still pounding

something

look at Karl, who is still clutching the man’s tattered jacket and

“Karl, wait!”

incredulous look in his

choose to ignore it and instead turn

says, sounding more than a little desperate. “That’s all.

to frighten

and Karl. John’s face is unreadable,

anger and worry.

a failed dish,” I say, glancing down at the bowl again. “Trust me, it

want to

says, his voice hoarse from thirst, and it’s then that I

“I have eaten far worse. I’m

and I see something there—an

mix of empathy and shame. I look at Karl and John,

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