January 5, 2024
She sat on the steps outside the door, curled up tight.
Rain fell softly, soaking her thin black crop top. She had taken off her work clothes and pulled on a Jacket, but it didn't help much against the cold January night. She'd been out here for half an hour, shivering.
Her teeth chattered from the cold, and tears made it hard to see. She didn't know how much more she could take. The man who owned the restaurant where she worked was a creep. He always stared at her chest and body, making her feel uneasy. A few times, he hinted that he wanted her to sleep with him.
James was almost forty and a total jerk. Lately, he'd gone too far, touching her whenever he got the chance. Tonight, during her shift, he threatened her. He said if she didn't do what he wanted, he'd get her thrown in jail. He bragged about knowing powerful people who could arrest her without a word.
She curled up even more, resting her head on her knees.
A minute or two later, she heard a car door slam.
Footsteps echoed in the alley.
The restaurant's back door led to a dark, narrow alley with a small hidden spot. If someone walked in, they wouldn't see her sitting there in the shadows.