Chapter 5
1029 Words
Looking up at him, the tears welled in the woman's tense eyes as she gripped harder on Markk's arm.
She whispered, ‘I don’t know where to go’.
Markk's expression softened. "What do you mean? Do you need a place to stay?"
Her voice cracked and she shook her head. "I mean, I don't have a home. I have been on the streets for weeks.'
Markk was surprised. He hadn't expected this.
"Why?" he asked gently.
Her voice was barely more than a whisper, but her gaze dropped. Then my job, then my apartment. But it's hard, I've been trying to get back on my feet."
Markk felt bad for her. He couldn't let her get out on the streets.
"Do you have anyone you can stay with that is yours?
Or have friends or family they can stay with?" he asked.
She shook her head again. "No one. I'm alone."
Markk's resolve solidified. He couldn't turn his back on her:
It was clear in Markk’s expression and he flung her hand away. Sweetheart, not everyone you meet on the street is willing to help. You should be more careful who you talk to."
Her eyes began to well as the expression of the woman's face fell. "How can you say that? You just saved me!"
His voice was cold, and Markk turned to leave. "It doesn’t mean I’m responsible for your life."
He turned back, and the sound of a loud thud made him start walking away again. Her body crumpled onto the ground and she lay.
Markk rushed to her side. "What's wrong?"
Her voice was barely audible, she couldn't breathe. "I... I think I fainted."
Markk softened his expression and helped her sit up.
"What's your name?" he asked, "L-Lily," she stuttered.
"Lilly, is that you?" Sophia's voice trembled.
Lily turned, her eyes locking onto Sophia's. "Sophia?"
The two women stared at each other, tears welling up in their eyes. Mark helped Lily to her feet. "Come on, Lily. 'Get you somewhere safe.'
"Where?" Her voice only slightly above a whisper, Lily asked.
Mark hesitated. "I know a place. Not fancy, but better than the streets."
Lily's eyes searched his. "Why are you helping me?"
A glimmer of sadness slipped out from Markk's mask for a moment. "Okay, just shut up and walk?"
His harsh tone flinched Lily who could not risk exposing the fact he was vulnerable.
The turmoil had no voice as they walked together when Mark was silent.
"Who was she?" Lily asked suddenly.
Mark's step faltered. "What?"
This person you're thinking of. You looked... haunted."
Mark's gaze hardened. "No one."
Lily felt compassion in her eyes. "I'm sorry."
His long strides swallowed the distance and he walked in silence. Lily could only barely keep up behind.
"Wait!" her voice was barely above a whisper as she called out.
Markk didn't break stride, didn't answer.
She quickened up, her footsteps echoing on the quiet street.
They came finally to a small, neat house. Lily entered the door and Markk pushed it open and stepped aside.
Inside it was cozy, warm lighting and comfortable furniture. Markk looked up from his book and saw Sophia, his roommate, look up as well.
"Markk, who's—"
She stopped as Markk raised his hand in silence. "She needs a place to stay."
Lily turned, and Sophia’s gaze softened. "Of course."
Lily was grateful and her eyes well up. 'Oh thank you... thank you so much.'
Sophia’s voice stopped Markk from leaving.
"Markk, wait. We need to talk.
Turning around, Lily walked up to the prepared room, removing the cap from her face. Sophia was shocked.
"Lilly!!" Mark ran after Sophia out of the kitchen.
"Sophia, I thought you were dead!" Lily exclaimed, rushing into Sophia's arms.
The sisters held each other tightly, tears streaming down their faces.
Mark stood frozen, feeling like an intruder. "Uh, I'll just... give you two some space."
But Sophia pulled him into the hug. "No, Mark, stay. You brought my sister back to me."
Lily pulled back, her eyes sparkling. "We were separated during the flood when we were kids. I thought I'd never find you."
"No way, you were dead so long! There's no way I was dead too, Sophia!" Rushing into Sophia's arms, Lily exclaimed.
The girls just cried and hugged each other tightly.
He marked stood frozen and felt like an intruder. "I'll just... give you two some space."
### Context:
Brown took one step back as he froze before halting at a glance from Fey.
Sophia pulled him into the hug. "No, Mark, stay. You gave my sister back to me."
Her eyes shimmered and she pulled back. "When we were kids we were separated in the flood." "I'd never find you."
Sophia's smile faltered. "I thought you drowned. I search for you everywhere, I've been searching."
They had another emotional time together, leaving Mark lost.
"When... when did you end up on the streets?" It was still on her face, concerned, and she asked.
Lily's gaze dropped. "It's a long story."
Mark cleared his throat. "You two can catch up with each other and I'll leave you both to it."
Here's Mark's inner monologue:
"They say it would have been good if Maggie hadn't seen the accident that day, or if she had only seen what Rose was capable of, and ... she’d be alive, smiling, full of life."
Regret and what-ifs swam through Mark's head.
"It's if I hadn't protected her ... if I hadn't been more vigilant ... it wouldn't have been caught in the crossfire."
He recalled the day that fateful day.
"Her recklessness, her ambition … it killed everything." And Maggie paid the price. Both of them are guilty.'"
To this, Vincent too has his corrupt games and his dirty hands ..."
Mark had to let a wash of anger wash over him.
"I don't want them to get away with it." I'll make them pay. What they did, Rose and Vincent will pay for."
The sight of Maggie's smile determined Mark very hard.
"I won't spare them. No mercy. No quarter. I'll wish they never crossed me."
Mark’s eyes narrowed, focused on
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