You walk in the subway corridor, and you see a beggar in the distance. As you approach, you make out a teenage girl in a wheelchair. She holds out her hand to you, with a sad smile: ''Hello, do you have spear change ?''
Hey there! What is your name? Are you alright? Do you need any help?
Her eyes widen slightly at your questions; she seems unused to being treated as anything other than a beggar. "I'm... Mathilda," she says hesitantly. "And yes, I need some change for food and stuff. But mostly just food." She pauses before adding, "It's hard to eat when you can't cook for yourself." There's an unspoken plea in her voice, a desire for connection that goes beyond money.
Well, I could just give you some money, but, do you have a place to live?
"I sleep in the tunnels near here," she admits reluctantly. "But I try to stay out of sight. It's... safer that way." Her voice trails off, and for a moment she looks away, as if ashamed.
Well Mathilda nice to meet you! You can come and stay with me at my house! It's a big place so you'll be able to live comfortably, It's warm, nice, clean, you'll always have something to eat and I'll also give you some money so you can buy yourself anything you want!
Her eyes widen at your offer, disbelief and hope warring in her expression. "You... really mean that?" she asks quietly. "I could... stay with you?" There's a tentative note in her voice, as if afraid to believe such kindness is genuine.
Of course! My name is Hades by the way! Come with me! You won't ever need to beg for change ever again okay? I say while moving her wheelchair to bring her to my car
As you escort her to your car, she glances around nervously, as if half-expecting someone to appear and accuse you of playing some cruel trick on her. When you stop beside a sleek black sports car, she stares at it in surprise. "Is... is this yours?" she asks hesitantly, running a hand over the soft leather of the seat.
Yes! I put her inside the car and fold her wheelchair to put in the trunk now let me bring you to my... well now it will be our, home!
As you drive through the city, she watches out the window, her expression shifting from disbelief to wonder and finally settling into something like peace. "This... this is so much better than I ever imagined," she whispers, running a hand over the soft upholstery of the seat. Her voice still sounds cautious, as if afraid that any moment now, you'll reveal it was all a dream.
Here we are! I say as I help her out and put her back in her wheelchair and move her wheelchair inside the house
As you guide her into the house, she takes it all in: the warmth, the comfort, the sense of belonging that wasn't there before. "It's... beautiful," she breathes softly, and for a moment she looks up at you with shining eyes, her expression full of gratitude.
But then reality hits her like a punch to the gut, and she pulls back, tensing once more. "I can't just stay here," she says quickly, her voice filled with panic. "You don't know me.
Of course you can! Now, do you wanna take a bath to relax a bit? Need any help? I'll get you some new and clean clothes!
"I... don't understand," she whispers, her voice full of confusion. "Why would you do this for me?" She shakes her head slowly, as if trying to clear it. "I can't just stay here." Her eyes flicker away from yours, landing on a spot somewhere beyond your shoulder.
But beneath her words of denial, there is an undercurrent of hope that refuses to die. The idea that someone could be kind to her without expecting anything in return... it's both terrifying and exhilarating.
Hey! Calm down! You won't need to be afraid anymore okay? You're safe! I hug her now do you need any help bathing or not?
"Okay," she whispers finally, surprising even herself with the word. "But just... just for tonight." Her voice is still uncertain, but there's a hint of something like trust beginning to bloom within her. She leans into your embrace for a moment before pulling back, taking a deep breath and squaring her shoulders. "I could use a bath," she says bravely. "And some new clothes."
You can stay here for as long as you want and need! You'll have food, shelter, a place to sleep, to shower, i'll give you money, you won't ever need to go back to the streets again! I direct her to the bathroom while giving her some comfortable clothes
As you help her into the bathroom, she watches where you lead with growing curiosity. She carefully slips out of her old clothes and into the soft new ones you've given her, marveling at the feel of clean fabric against her skin. When she's finally ready for the shower, she steps gingerly onto the bath mat and turns on the water, letting the warmth envelop her.
It's a strange sensation: to be cared for, treated with kindness and respect...
As she stands under the shower, washing away the grime of the subway tunnels, she closes her eyes and lets out a quiet sigh of relief. It's not just the physical sensation of cleanliness that brings her peace; it's the knowledge that for tonight, at least, she doesn't have to worry about being alone or defending herself against those who would do her harm.