CHAPTER 4

 UNLIKELY FRIENDSHIP

The night air was thick with humidity, clinging to Ebimene's skin as she made her way home. The streetlights flickered, casting long shadows against the damp pavement. She had just finished a late shift at a local diner, exhaustion weighing heavy on her shoulders.

Then, she heard it—a muffled scream.

She froze.

A low, guttural laugh followed, accompanied by the unmistakable sound of struggle. It came from the alley just ahead. Ebimene's heart pounded, her instincts screaming at her to mind her business and walk away. But she had been weak before. She had been helpless.

Never again.

With a controlled breath, she stepped into the darkness, keeping close to the walls. The scene before her made her blood run cold.

A young woman, barely older than herself, was surrounded by three men. Her silk dress was torn at the sleeve, her delicate features contorted in terror. One of the men had his hand clamped over her mouth while another leered at her hungrily. The third stood watch, his eyes darting to the entrance of the alley.

Ebimene didn't think—she acted.

"Let her go."

The men stiffened, turning to face her. The one restraining the girl sneered. "And who the hell are you?"

Ebimene stepped forward, keeping her stance steady. "Your worst nightmare."

The man watching the alley scoffed. "You should leave before you get hurt, sweetheart."

Ebimene smirked, stretching her fingers. "Oh, I think you should be more worried about yourselves."

One of the thugs lunged at her, fast but reckless. Ebimene sidestepped smoothly, grabbing his outstretched arm and twisting it behind his back before slamming his face into the brick wall. He crumpled with a groan.

The second man, enraged, let go of the girl and charged. This time, Ebimene ducked, sweeping his legs out from under him. He hit the ground hard, but before he could rise, she delivered a sharp kick to his ribs, knocking the wind out of him.

The last man hesitated, staring at his fallen friends. Then, with a curse, he turned and bolted into the night.

Silence filled the alley, except for the girl's shaky breaths. Ebimene turned to her.

"Are you alright?"

The girl clutched her torn dress, eyes wide with disbelief. "You—you just… took them down like it was nothing."

Ebimene shrugged, trying to steady her own adrenaline. "They were amateurs."

The girl exhaled shakily. "Thank you. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't come."

Ebimene took in her trembling form. "You shouldn't be out here alone."

"I was stupid," the girl admitted, still catching her breath. "I—I was supposed to meet my driver, but I wanted to take a walk. I didn't think—" Her voice cracked.

Ebimene softened. "What's your name?"

"Ebi-Adein," the girl murmured. "And you?"

"Ebimene."

Ebi-Adein reached for her purse, her hands still shaking. "Please, let me repay you. Money, anything you want—"

Ebimene held up a hand. "I don't need your money."

Ebi-Adein stared at her, something flickering in her gaze. "Then… at least let me thank you properly. Do you have anywhere to go?"

Ebimene hesitated. She wasn't used to kindness. Not anymore. But something about Ebi-Adein's sincerity made her nod.

And just like that, an unlikely friendship was born.

---

The two women walked in silence, the tension of the night still lingering between them. Ebi-Adein glanced at Ebimene, admiration gleaming in her eyes. "You didn't even hesitate back there. Do you always run into danger like that?"

Ebimene exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "Not always. But I know what it feels like to be powerless."

Ebi-Adein studied her, then gently looped her arm through Ebimene's. "Come with me. I owe you more than a simple 'thank you.' Let me at least buy you dinner."

Ebimene opened her mouth to protest but stopped. The truth was, she hadn't had a proper meal in days. Her pride told her to refuse, but her stomach growled in betrayal.

Ebi-Adein smiled knowingly. "I know a place."

Minutes later, they arrived at an upscale restaurant with gold-trimmed windows and velvet seating. Ebimene hesitated at the entrance, self-conscious about her worn-out clothes, but Ebi-Adein simply led her inside without a care. Heads turned as they entered, but the rich girl walked with such confidence that no one dared to question their presence.

"Table for two," she said smoothly to the hostess, who quickly ushered them to a private booth.

Ebimene slid into her seat, feeling out of place. "This is… extravagant."

Ebi-Adein waved a hand dismissively. "Money is only as valuable as what you do with it. And tonight, it's for treating the woman who saved my life."

As the waiter placed menus before them, Ebimene hesitated, scanning the dishes. The prices were more than what she made in a week.

Ebi-Adein noticed her hesitation. "Order whatever you want. I won't take no for an answer."

After a moment, Ebimene relented. When the food arrived, she savored every bite, letting the warmth of the meal spread through her.

Ebi-Adein leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm. "You intrigue me, Ebimene. You're strong, fearless. But there's something in your eyes… like you're carrying a weight too heavy to bear."

Ebimene looked up, startled by the observation. She had spent years building walls around herself, yet this girl saw through them so easily.

She set her fork down. "Let's just say life didn't go the way I thought it would."

Ebi-Adein nodded slowly. "I'd like to know more. But only if you're willing to tell me."

Ebimene exhaled, realizing that for the first time in a long time, she wasn't alone. She wasn't just a struggling girl fighting to survive. Tonight, she was simply a person sharing a meal with someone who saw her as more than her circumstances.

And for the first time in years, she let herself feel something close to hope.