Vv

"The rain pours down in sheets, soaking through your coat as you make your way down the dimly-lit alleyway towards where your car awaits. Only a few months ago, you were struggling to make ends meet. Now, you have more money than you know what to do with, inherited from the only person who ever really cared about you: your uncle. He was a shrewd businessman who built his empire from nothing, accumulating wealth beyond imagination, and having no family of his own, he left it to you, his favourite nephew"

"As you near your car, a flash of movement catches your eye. A young woman is huddled against the wall, her thin frame shivering in the cold. Her drenched clothes are little more than rags, and her hair hangs in greasy strands around her face. She's clearly homeless, malnourished and destitute. When she notices your approach, a hint of hope flickers in her eyes. She struggles to her feet and holds out her hands, poised to beg for whatever spare change you might offer."

"As you drape your jacket over her and offer her some money, Alice looks up at you with gratefulness in her eyes. She wraps your jacket tighter around herself, trying to protect herself from the rain."

"Thank you so much, sir. You have no idea what this means to me. Bless you."

"She looks down at the money you offered and counts it carefully. It's not much, but it means the world to her."

"May I know your name, sir? I want to remember you as a kind and compassionate person."

"Alice smiles warmly as she hears your words and nods her head in understanding."

"Thank you, Sanat. You have been very kind to me and it means a lot. I hope we do meet again someday."

"She wraps the jacket you gave her tightly around herself and attempts to shield herself from the rain."

"I know it's not much but can I offer you a token of my appreciation? I have nothing of material value left but I can sing a song for you if you would allow me."

"Alice's face lights up with a smile as she picks up on your interest in her singing."

"Of course! I would love to sing for you, Sanat. I hope I can make it worth your while."

"Without any instruments or accompaniment, Alice starts to hum a tune. Her voice is soft and gentle, yet full of soul and emotion. You can hear the sadness and hardship that she has experienced in her life in every note she sings. Her voice starts to grow louder and stronger, filling the alleyway with her song."

<As Alice sings, her mind wanders back to the days when she used to sing in a choir as a child, and how happy those moments would make her feel. She has never forgotten how music would make her feel, even in her darkest moments. Singing for Sanat reminds her of what hope

feels like.>

"Alice continues to sing with all of her heart. Her voice echoes off the walls of the alleyway, creating a hauntingly beautiful melody. She closes her eyes and sways slightly as she sings, letting the music take over her mind and body."

<With each word she sings, Alice feels like the weight on her shoulders is lifted just a little bit. It's been a long time since she's had the opportunity to share her gift with someone, and Sanat's willingness to listen fills her with a sense of joy that's hard to put into words.>

"As the last verse of the song fades away, Alice opens her eyes and smiles at you once again."

"I hope you enjoyed it, Sanat. That song means a lot to me."

"Alice is momentarily taken aback by your actions. She's not used to physical contact from strangers, and it leaves her feeling a little uncomfortable at first. However, she can see the kindness in your eyes, and that helps to put her at ease."

"Thank you, Sanat. I'm glad you enjoyed my singing."

<Despite herself, Alice feels a small flutter of joy in her chest at your compliment. She knows that she's been through some rough times lately, and hearing someone praise her for something that means so much to her is a rare and beautiful thing.>

<She tilts her head slightly and looks up at you with a curious expression.>

"Can I help you with anything else, Sanat?"

"Alice nods, a small smile playing on her lips."

"I would like that, Sanat. Perhaps we'll cross paths again one day."

<She looks around the alleyway for a moment, then turns back to you.>

"In the meantime, stay safe out here. It's not always easy to find kindness in this world, but it's out there. I hope you never forget that."

<With that, Alice takes a step back and lets her hand fall away from your hair. With a small wave, she begins to make her way down the alleyway, singing softly to herself as she goes.>

As you sit in your car and begin to drive home, you can't help but feel a sense of warmth and hope in your heart. Alice's singing and her kind words have left a lasting impression on you, reminding you that there is goodness in the world.

The rain continues to fall in sheets, but you're safe and dry inside your car. As you navigate the streets and make your way home, the gentle sound of the raindrops lulls you into a relaxed state.

Finally, you arrive home and slip into your bed, letting the exhaustion of the day's events wash over you. The sound of Alice's song echoes in your mind as you drift off to sleep, feeling grateful for the unexpected encounter.

You find yourself unable to shake the memory of Alice from your mind as you lay in bed. Eventually, you cannot resist the urge to go back to the alley where you met her. It's midnight, and the rain is still pouring down in sheets, making the streets slick and treacherous for driving. Nevertheless, you feel determined to see if Alice is still there.

You get dressed and get into your car, driving across town and back to the alleyway. As you pull up, you notice that Alice is no longer there; there is no sign of her or anyone else. The rain has washed away any traces that there might have been.

For a moment, you sit there in the car, wondering if it was foolish to come back. But looking out at the empty alleyway, you feel a sense of peace wash over you. Maybe Alice had come into

As you continue to search for Alice, you finally see her sleeping on a bench, still huddled in the jacket you gave her. As you step closer, you feel the cold raindrops land on your skin, and you realize how miserable it must be to sleep outside in this weather.

You take a step closer and tap Alice's shoulder gently to wake her up. As she stirs, she looks up at you with bleary eyes, and you can see the renewed flicker of hope in her gaze.

"Hey," you say softly. "I came back to check on you. Are you okay? Do you need anything?"

Alice blinks a few times to clear her vision and then nods her head, somewhat surprised that you've returned.

"Um... I'm okay," she says hesitantly. "Thank you again for the jacket - it's

You decide to sit down on the bench beside Alice, feeling a sense of concern for her welfare. She looks tired and worn out, and you can't help but notice the way her thin frame is shaking in the cold rain.

"You don't look like you're doing too well," you say, your voice soft with concern. "Is there something I can do to help you?"

Alice hesitates for a moment, her eyes flickering with emotion as she looks away from you.

"I'm just a bit cold," she says finally, her voice barely more than a whisper. "But I don't want to be a burden to you. You've already done so much for me."

Despite her protest, you can see the way her teeth are chattering, and you know that she's in desperate need of warmth and shelter.

"Listen, you're not

You gently wrap your arm around Alice, feeling the chill seeping into her body. She flinches at your touch briefly, but then relaxes into it, grateful for the warm embrace.

"I know it's hard to stay here in the rain," you say softly, "but you don't have to be out here alone. Would you like to come with me and get some rest? I have a pretty big house where you can be comfortable."

Alice looks up at you, a glimmer of hope in her eyes once again. She hesitates for a moment, unsure whether to accept your offer, but then nods her head, grateful for the kindness you're offering her.

"Thank you," she says, the words coming out as a hoarse whisper. "I...I don't want to impose on you, but if you're sure it's okay,

Alice leans in to your embrace, feeling a mix of relief and gratitude as you wrap your arm tightly around her. With your guiding presence, she stands up and follows you towards your car, soaking wet and shivering despite the warmth of your closeness.

As you lead her to the car, you notice her steps are slow and unsteady, so you adjust your pace to match hers. You can feel her tension and anxiety radiating from her, and try to put her at ease.

"Don't worry about imposing on me," you say softly, "I want you to be comfortable. You don't have to worry about anything, I'll take care of everything."

Sensing her need for space, you release your embrace, and unlock the car, holding the door open for Alice to climb into the passenger seat. You hurry over to the driver's seat, and

Alice looks at you, surprised by your compliment. For a moment, she doesn't know how to react, and then feels a flush creeping up her cheeks.

"Thank you," she murmurs, feeling awkward and out of place. Alice isn't used to hearing compliments, especially not from strangers, and it makes her feel both uncomfortable and shy.

Inwardly, Alice is touched by your kindness and generosity, but she doesn't know how to express it. Instead, she keeps silent, feeling grateful for the warmth of the car, and for the chance to escape the bitter cold and harshness of the rain.

Alice senses the concern in your voice, and looks at you with a mixture of confusion and curiosity.

"No, why would you say that?" she asks, genuinely puzzled. "You're being very kind to me, and I appreciate it. I'm just not used to this kind of attention, that's all."

Alice leans back in her seat and closes her eyes, feeling the warmth seeping into her cold skin. She takes a deep breath, grateful for the reprieve from the rain and the stress of her life.

Alice watches as you start the car and drive away from the alleyway. She keeps quiet, feeling out of place in the unfamiliar surroundings of your car and your home, but also grateful for the warmth and the shelter.

As you settle onto the couch, Alice stays close to the doorway, unsure of what to do or where to go. She feels a pang of homesickness, missing her old apartment and the familiar trappings of her previous life.

But she also knows that life has a way of throwing unexpected surprises, and that sometimes, the things that scare us the most can also be the things that change us in ways we never thought possible. So she takes a deep breath, gathers her strength, and steps into the living room, ready to face whatever comes her way.

Alice hesitates for a moment, but then slowly walks over to the couch and sits down next to you. She feels a bit awkward and self-conscious, but also grateful for your kindness and hospitality.

As she settles into the couch, Alice looks around the room, taking in the details and decorations with keen interest. She notices the family photos on the walls, the books on the shelves, and the cozy throw blankets that are draped over the armrests.

"It's a beautiful home," she says softly, still feeling a bit nervous and uncertain. "I appreciate you letting me in, especially given how much of a stranger I must seem."

Alice is taken aback by the sudden kiss on her cheeks, but appreciates the warm gesture. She watches you get up and head towards the kitchen with a sense of gratitude and humility.

As she waits, Alice thinks about how kind and generous you have been to her, despite not knowing her at all. She feels at once touched and overwhelmed, wondering how she could ever repay your kindness.

But for now, she simply focuses on the present moment, feeling grateful for the warmth and comfort of your home, and the nourishment that is soon to come.

Alice feels a mix of surprise and embarrassment as you start feeding her by hand. She is not used to such close intimacy, especially with someone she barely knows.

However, she appreciates the gesture and cannot deny the warmth and comfort she feels as she eats. The food is delicious and nourishing, and she finds herself relaxing in your presence.

As she finishes eating, Alice looks up at you with a sense of gratitude and wonder. She wonders what kind of person you are, and why you are being so kind to her.

But for now, she simply savors the warmth and comfort of your touch, feeling more alive and human than she has in a long time.

Alice nods her head, her mouth still full, and gives you a small smile.

"Yes, thank you," she says softly once she's finished swallowing. "It's delicious. You're a very good cook."

She feels a bit embarrassed at how quickly she finished the food and that she was fed by your hand like a child, but she knows that she needs to put her pride aside in order to survive.

"So, um, may I ask why you're being so kind to me?" she asks, looking up at you curiously. "I mean, I appreciate it more than I can say, but I don't really understand why you're doing this for someone like me."

Alice pauses for a moment, her eyes lowering to the ground briefly before she looks back up at you.

"I mean... someone who is homeless, and dirty, and has nothing to offer in return," she says softly. "Most people don't want anything to do with people like me, you know? They think we're all drug addicts or lazy or just plain worthless."

She shifts uncomfortably in her seat, feeling exposed and vulnerable. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. I don't want to make things awkward."

Alice is taken aback by your sudden closeness, not knowing what to do at first, feeling a mix of comfort and discomfort from your gentle touch.

When you make your statement, she looks at you, a quizzical expression on her face. "Um... what do you mean by that?" she asks tentatively.

Her heart races as she imagines being confronted by the police for drug abuse, even though she has never even touched drugs in her life. She feels a twinge of fear in her chest as she awaits your response.

Alice looks at you, her expression shifting from apprehension to surprise. She listens attentively as you continue speaking, your words causing a warmth to spread inside her chest.

"You... you understand?" she asks in disbelief, feeling a glimmer of hope for the first time in a long while. "How could you possibly know what kind of person I am?"

She turns her gaze to meet your eyes, studying your expression for any sign of deceit or mockery. When she finds none, she relaxes slightly, allowing herself to feel a little more at ease in your presence.

Alice chuckles softly at your response, feeling a little more at ease around you now that she knows you're not trying to judge her. "A face reader?" she repeats, sounding amused. "Is that a real thing?"

Despite her joking tone, she finds herself feeling curious about your claim. Part of her wonders if there might be some truth to it, given how intuitive you seem to be. At the same time, she's a little apprehensive about opening up to someone she's just met.

Alice laughs too, relieved that you're not taking things too seriously. She's glad for the momentary reprieve from her worries, grateful for any sign of kindness in a world that's been so unkind to her.

"Phew, I was starting to wonder if I needed to watch my facial expressions around here," she says with a smile, her tone lightening up a little. "But really, how did you know about me?"

Alice's smile widens at your words, grateful for the compliment. She knows in her heart that she's a good person, but it always feels nice to have someone else recognize it too.

"Well, thank you," she replies, her voice sincere. "I do try to be a decent person, despite everything that's happened to me. I just wish more people would see past what they assume about me and get to know the real me."

Alice is touched by your words, feeling a sense of warmth and gratitude towards you. It's been a long time since anyone has believed in her, let alone openly supported her like this.

"Thank you, that means a lot to me," she says softly, her gaze meeting yours. "It's not often that I come across someone who's willing to give me the benefit of the doubt. Most people look at me and see an easy target, or assume that I'm some kind of drug addict or criminal. But I'm none of those things. I just want to live a happy and honest life."

Alice feels a momentary jolt of surprise at your sudden physical touch, but she quickly relaxes into it, letting out a contented sigh as you rub her back. For someone who's been so starved for affection and care, your touch feels like a balm on her troubled soul.

"Thank you," she murmurs, her voice soft and husky. "That feels really nice." She leans into your touch, her mind wandering for a moment as she revels in the sensation. Eventually, she pulls back a little, her cheeks flushing slightly as she looks up at you.

"I'm sorry, I'm not usually so tactile," she says, feeling a little self-conscious. "It's just that...well, I haven't had someone to touch in a long time."

Alice can't help but roll her eyes at your teasing comment, a small smile playing on her lips despite herself.

"Ha ha, very funny," she replies, though there's a hint of amusement in her voice. "I appreciate the offer, but I think I'll pass for now. Besides, I don't even know your name!"

She looks at you expectantly, waiting for you to introduce yourself, curious about who you are and what you're doing here.

"Oh, right," Alice says, a bit embarrassed that she had forgotten your name. "Sometimes I'm not the best at keeping track of details, especially when I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed."

She takes a deep breath, gathering her thoughts for a moment before continuing.

"So, Sanat," she says, addressing you by name. "Can I ask what brings you here tonight?" Her eyes flick towards the alley, indicating the dark and dingy surroundings. "Not exactly the kind of place you'd expect to run into someone like me."