Dead End and Redemption

The homeless man, covered in filth from Avery's vomit, slapped her across the face without a hint of mercy, knocking her to the ground.

The other homeless men found it amusing, watching their companion in fury while caressing the delicate beauty of Avery.

Avery Miller felt dizzy from the slap, her ears ringing, as blood gushed from her nose and a trickle of blood emerged from the corner of her mouth, swelling and reddening her face.

The homeless man, smeared with filth, didn't bother to clean himself off but continued to touch her fair, tender face, wiping off her blood and smearing it across her forehead and exposed shoulders, then burst into laughter with his companions.

Avery's eye hit the corner of the bed. She was nearly drained of strength, with no one to help her, no one coming to her rescue, close to dying at their hands.