Chapter eighty four

Sophia roamed the streets, alone and scared. This was her first time in the big city, and the towering buildings loomed over her like giants, casting long shadows that seemed to swallow her whole. The noise of honking cars and distant chatter felt overwhelming, and she could feel her heart racing in her chest. *What was I thinking?* she wondered, wishing she could turn back time.

She found a public bench and sat down, hoping that maybe a good Samaritan would come to her aid. "Just breathe, Sophia," she whispered to herself, trying to calm her nerves. The chill of the night air wrapped around her, and she hugged her knees to her chest. But as the minutes turned into hours, her hopes faded. It was almost midnight, and the streets were really quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant sounds of nightlife.