Sam made it out of the building on one full breath, covering her face with one hand. She had gone about three blocks before realising she was heading toward the refuge. Paralysed with fear, she stopped, then calmed herself, and continued down the street.
Consumed with grief, she pushed past the staff, volunteers and homeless women congregating in the great hall, preparing for lunch. After almost knocking over a few women in her path, she finally found herself alone in the toilets and gave in to her despair.
“It’s okay, darling. It’s okay. Tell me what’s upsetting you, sweetheart,” said a benevolent, gentle voice from behind her.
Startled, she quickly looked up. A woman stood behind her. Sam was taken aback, almost shocked, by her appearance. She was a little shorter than Sam with startl
