Chapter 1 Cold, Hungry, and Utterly Alone.

Dora's POV

I dragged my feet up the steps to my apartment, exhausted after another failed day of job hunting. 

"Come on, Dora, you need to find a job quickly or you won't be able to afford groceries or pay rent," I scolded myself. "Get out there and keep applying - something will turn up soon if you stay persistent."

With no job on the horizon, I worried about how I would pay for necessities like food and housing if my unemployment stretched on much longer.

It had been a month since I was let go from my job at the diner, and my savings were completely dried up. Being an orphan, I had no family to turn to for help. And since moving to this town right after high school, I hadn't made many close friends either. 

As I unlocked my apartment door and stepped inside, my stomach let out a loud growl.

"Gosh, I'm so hungry," I said aloud to myself. "It feels like it's been forever since I've had a good meal."

I walked to the kitchen and opened the fridge, frowning when I saw how barren it was. Just a few condiments and a sad, limp vegetable or two. My cupboards were equally bare.

"Well this is just great," I grumbled. "There's nothing to eat in this place!"

I sank down onto the faded linoleum floor, fighting back tears.

"Open the doors now!"

I jumped at the loud bangs on my door, flinching and almost knocked my head on the cupboard. 

"Coming!" I called out, glancing at the clock on the microwave - 9:37pm. 

"Who could that be at this hour in the middle of a thunderstorm?" I wondered aloud as I wobbled to the door on sore legs.

As I peered through the peephole, my stomach dropped at the sight of the portly Mr Jenkins, my landlord, waiting impatiently on the other side. 

His bushy mustache did little to hide his permanent scowl. Taking a deep breath, I slowly opened the door with a forced smile.

"Rent's past due again," he said gruffly, inviting himself inside. He glanced around my dingy apartment with a look of disdain. "I gave you plenty of chances but I've had it. You're out. Start packing your things."

"I know, I'm sorry. Please Mr. Jenkins, just give me another week. I had some interviews today and I'm sure I'll have a new job soon." I said, staring at the floor as my cheeks burned with shame.

But Mr. Jenkins would not be swayed. "That's what you said last week. And yet here we are again." 

He held out his hand expectantly. "Shoulda thought of that before letting it go this long. I got bills to pay too."

"Please, I don't have it yet, but I will soon, I promise."

"Enough excuses. Pack up your things, you're out of here."

"No, please! Just give me until the end of the week!" I begged as panic rose in my throat.

"You've had enough chances. I want you and your stuff out of here in one hour." Mr Jenkins said tersely. And with that, he turned and left, slamming the door behind him. 

I sank to the floor, tears stinging my eyes. "How did I let things get this bad?"

Ever since I lost my job, it had been a struggle just to survive. Now I was facing homelessness. 

Wiping my eyes, I slowly packed my meager belongings into a couple of bags and boxes. Most of what I owned were donated or scavenged items anyway. Thirty minutes later, I had everything ready. Taking one last look around what had been my home, I hauled my things downstairs.

The landlord was waiting impatiently by the curb. The second he saw me, he called over two men who grabbed my stuff and dumped it on the sidewalk. 

"Time's up," he said coldly. "I better not catch you hanging around here anymore."

I watched as he turned and went back inside, leaving me staring helplessly at my boxes on the dirty pavement. Just as I lugged my suitcase down the steps, the sky opened up. Fat raindrops pelted down, instantly soaking through my thin coat. 

"Of course," I thought miserably. "My luck couldn't get any worse."

I sat on my largest bag, wondering what to do next. 

"With no money for a motel, I would have to find somewhere to sleep outside for the night."

The rain was quickly soaking through my thin jacket, making me shiver. 

Passersby began to take notice of the pathetic girl surrounded by her boxes in the rain. Some openly gawked, a few whispered behind their hands. One man even had the audacity to laugh right in my face. 

I slowly made my way down the empty streets, unsure where to go. I passed by a group of teenagers who snickered at my bedraggled appearance. One even called out, 

"What's the matter, homeless lady? Did you forget your cardboard box?" 

I kept my eyes down, humiliated and increasingly desperate, I started dragging my soggy belongings down the sidewalk with quickened pace. The rain picked up into a downpour, drenching my hair and clothes right through. My boxes were disintegrating in my hands. 

"Watch out!" Someone shouted.

I jerked to the side as a car suddenly drove by and hit a huge puddle, splashing dirty water all over me and my things. 

"Crazy b*tch!" The driver honked and yelled out the window as they sped off. 

I hugged myself, sobbing. 

"This is absolutely rock bottom." I had never felt so cold, hungry and utterly alone. 

Eventually I came upon a narrow alleyway sheltered from the worst of the rain. Shivering uncontrollably, I decided this would have to do for the night. At least I would be partially dry. As I began unpacking my suitcase, I heard voices approaching from the other end of the alley. 

A group of scruffy looking men stumbled toward me, reeking of alcohol. One of them leered at me, swaying on his feet. "Well, well, what do we have here boys? Looks like this alley is already occupied."  

I stood up quickly. "I'm sorry, I'll get going. Was just trying to get out of the rain." I went to grab my suitcase but one of them blocked my path. 

"Not so fast. We want to have a chat first," he slurred. 

My pulse pounded as I backed away slowly. Their intentions were clearly malicious. One of them lunged for my suitcase. 

"Stay away!"

I let go and made a run for it, leaving my belongings behind. Heavy footsteps pursued me as I fled blindly through the streets. 

I ran flat out for three blocks, shoes splashing through deep puddles, before daring to look back. The men were gone. 

"I hope I lost them for good."

I wheezed, breathing hard as I took stock of my surroundings. In my haste to escape, I'd left the duffel and umbrella behind. At least I still had my backpack with my ID, my charger, and portfolio of resumes. 

The rain still poured down in sheets. I needed to find shelter fast. I hurried down the unfamiliar streets, jamming on doors.

"Hello?" I called, banging on the doors, but all of them were locked at this late hour. 

Exhausted and lost, I finally paused beneath an awning to catch my breath. Suddenly I noticed bright lights and loud music pulsing from a building half a block away. It appeared to be some kind of party.

As I stood there shivering and unsure, the thumping bass seemed to call to me. Without thinking, I gathered my things and hurried towards those promising lights. Maybe I could find refuge there for the night, get warm and dry off.

Reaching the building's front steps, I hesitated nervously. The cars arriving looked fancy and expensive, nothing like me. But I was desperate. Taking a deep breath, I slipped inside.

The foyer was all gleaming marble and crystal chandeliers. Chattering voices and ice clinking in glasses echoed from the rooms beyond. I dripped rainwater on the polished floors, feeling utterly out of place.

But it was warm here. My damp clothes already felt less clinging. This had to be better than the dangerous streets in the downpour.

Setting down my sagging bag, I crept farther inside, towards the lively music and voices. I would just sneak in, get out of the storm, then slip away once it ended. No one would even notice I was here. It was perfect. The night had taken the most bizarre turn.

"But at least I was safe for now, right?"

I muttered as I walked through the arched doorway and came face to face with the bouncer. His piercing gaze landed on me and my eyes widened in surprise.

"Shit, I'm fucked."