+25 BONOS


    As Alex contemted his next move, Josephine burst out of the kitchen, wielding


    a frying pan like a weapon, fury zing in her eyes.


    "I''ve had enough of this nonsense!" she shouted.


    One of the thugs lunged at her, but with a swift, powerful swing, the frying pan connected with his face.


    The sickening crunch of bone echoed as his nose shattered, sending him sprawling to the floor. Alex watched, a flicker of admiration in his eyes-Josephine was as fierce as ever.


    She wasn''t delicate; she was a storm incarnate, and when she struck, the world felt her wrath. "Get her!" the fat man barked at the remaining two thugs.


    Josephine''s eyes narrowed. "I cook alone, clean alone, do theundry alone, wake up early, ande backte every night-all alone!"


    She swung again, the pan smacking into another thug''s cheek with a resounding crack, knocking him down.


    Thest thug drew a small knife.


    Before he could act, Alex casually tossed an ashtray across the room. It struck the thug''s hand, the knife ttering to the ground.


    In the same instant, Josephine''s frying pan met his face, and he dropped like a stone.


    All three thugsy defeated, groaning on the greasy floor, too afraid to face the tempest that was Josephine.


    "You, fat man!" she growled, pointing the frying pan at him.


    "I quit! Open your own damn restaurant!"


    The fat man, his bravado faltering as he nced at his fallen goons, tried to sneer.


    "Fine! See how easy it is to find another job. You''lle crawling back!"


    "Damn you," she spat. "I''ll find work that pays better and treats me right, you bastard."


    She spun around, marching back into the kitchen to gather her belongings.


    The fat man''s gaze shifted to Alex, eyes filled with venom. "You-this is all your fault! You turned her against me!"


    +25 BONOS


    "Don''t start," Alex sighed wearily.


    "Damn you!" The fat man charged at Alex, but before he couldy a finger on him,


    he was already copsing to the floor.


    The remaining thugs exchanged terrified nces.


    "Sleep," Alex muttered.


    One by one, they slumped unconscious beside their boss.


    When Josephine emerged, a worn bag slung over her shoulder, Alex noticed her red, tear-streaked eyes.


    "You really love this ce," he said softly, falling into step beside her as they left the diner.


    "It holds a lot of memories," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.


    "Why is it so damn hard to find a ce to belong?"


    They walked together down the narrow, grimy streets.


    Alex stole nces at her-her frail frame, clothes faded and stretched from years


    of wear, skin marked by the scars of hardbor.


    She was like a candle in the wind-tired and flickering but refusing to go out.


    "You''ve been through so much," Alex thought, his heart heavy.


    Josephine sniffed, then stopped abruptly. "Sorry I cost you your job."


    Alex shrugged. "He didn''t seem keen on hiring me anyway. If anything, I made you lose yours.


    11


    She scoffed, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "I was done with his attitude. So, where are you headed?"


    "I''m not sure," Alex admitted. "Just got out of the military. Got some savings... Think you could help me find a ce?"


    She looked him over, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips.


    "You look like you could afford better, but I have a ce. It''s old and cramped, but


    if you don''t mind, you can rent it cheap."


    "Sounds perfect," Alex replied. "I''ve slept in worse ces. As long as it''s affordable, I''m in." "Ten bucks a day."


    +25 BONOS


    "Deal."


    She sighed, ncing back toward the diner. "Before I show you the ce, could


    you help me pick up some things for my family?"


    "Of course.


    They headed toward the bustling market.


    Vendors shouted their wares, the air thick with the scent of spices and fresh produce.


    An old woman called out, "Jo! Stocking up on cheap ingredients again? Your boss still trying to run a restaurant on scraps?"


    "Not anymore," Josephine called back, a spark returning to her eyes. "I quit!"


    "Good for you!" the old woman cackled. "Come work for me. Can''t pay you, but you''ll eat well.


    "Tempting," Josephineughed. "I''ll look for a job first, but I''ll help you out when I can."


    As they weaved through the market, people greeted Josephine warmly. She belonged here; these people were hermunity.


    She nced down at the crumpled bills in her hand-$550.


    "You should have taken the $300 he owed you from the register," Alex said quietly. "He still owes you a thousand."


    "I wanted to," she admitted, her shoulders slumping.


    "But if I did, he wouldn''t have enough to restock. Consider it my parting gift... a small way to honor his mother."


    She purchased bulk staples: rice, beans, cooking oil, powdered milk, eggs-the basics to keep her family fed. The total came to $325.


    She stared at the remaining money, a deep crease forming between her brows. "Still have to pay the electric bill, water bill, my brother''s school equipment..." Alex watched her, feeling a tug at his heart.


    They made their way to a run-down house on the edge of town.


    A group of children sat on the porch, their faces lighting up as they approached.


    "Sis!” a little girl shouted. “That man from the city came again! He was yelling at Grandma!"


    Voices ovepped as the children mored for attention.


    **


    +25 BONOS


    Josephine''s face hardened. She set down the bags and grabbed a wooden stick leaning against the wall.


    "I''ve told them-we''re not selling our home!" she fumed, striding toward the house. Suddenly, a gunshot rang out from inside.


    Alex''s heart lurched.


    Dropping everything, he sprinted after her, fear gripping him like a vice.