the thin glass of Flora's

p scrubs when a heavy, despera

door and peered th

. Water dripped from his dark hair onto his shoulders. In his ri

deadbolt and pul

pened, Josiah looked up. His

ice was hoarse. "The bank seized everything.

l bit into her palm. The fragile sense of security she had

ad, his wet hair hiding his eyes. "Can I

me. She remembered the white rose

htened. She s

" she sai

shold. The broken plastic wheels scraped

window that looked out at a brick wall. A kitchen so small he could

had never been in a plac

relax. He looked at Flora and offere

o the worn-out sofa, scooping up a

said, pointing to the tiny bed

immediately. "I'

dry basket in her hands

m and rough. Flora's

at her pale, tired face. For the first time since he started

She handed him a clean towel.

er and the smell of cheap beef bouillon filled the apartment. Ste

l of instant noodles on

ly noodles. His stomach violently rejected the idea of eating it

broth burned his throa

eping his eyes on the bowl. "I have some urgent

slowed. She se

ught about the money she had starved hersel

w the hesitation. He wanted her to say no. He wa

the eye. "I'll figure som

gers tightened around the plasti

indow, but inside the apartme

r walk to the sink. He realized, with a sudden, terrifyin

hower," Josiah muttere

es were chipped. Black mold grew in

zing spray. He let the ice-cold water shock his system

he edge of the bed. She opened her b

ound the number Milo had used when

erything? she typed, her t