The lonely streets

By the time Elena reached her father's apartment, the sky had turned dark.

The familiar building stood exactly as she remembered.

Old paint peeling from the walls.

Dim lights flickering in the hallway.

The scent of cooked food drifting through the corridors.

It should have felt like home.

Instead, it felt like walking into a battlefield she already knew the outcome of.

Elena took a deep breath before knocking.

The door swung open almost immediately.

Mr. Cruz: There she is!

His face lit up with excitement.

For a brief moment, Elena smiled.

No matter how complicated things became, her father always seemed genuinely happy to see her.

Mr. Cruz: Come in! Come in! The chicken curry is getting cold.

The smell of spices filled the apartment.

Her stomach growled despite herself.

Maybe she really was hungry.

Inside, Tom had already made himself comfortable on the couch.

The television played loudly in the background.

Their grandmother sat nearby, watching everything with sharp eyes.

Always observing.

Always listening.

Always judging.

Grandmother: Look who finally decided to visit.

Elena pretended not to hear.

Some battles weren't worth fighting.

Not tonight.

Dinner began quietly enough.

For a few minutes, things almost felt normal.

Her father served everyone food.

Tom talked about school.

Even her grandmother remained unusually silent.

Elena found herself relaxing.

Just a little.

Maybe tonight would be different.

Maybe—

Grandmother: So, how's your mother doing these days?

And just like that, the peace shattered.

Elena's shoulders immediately stiffened.

Elena: She's fine.

Grandmother: Is she?

The older woman scoffed.

Grandmother: Funny. I heard she's still filling your heads with nonsense.

Mr. Cruz: Mom...

Grandmother: What? Am I wrong?

Elena slowly put down her spoon.

The appetite she'd had moments ago vanished.

Grandmother: Ever since that woman left this family—

Elena: Grandma.

The older woman looked at her.

Elena: Please don't start.

For a second, silence filled the room.

Then her grandmother laughed.

A cold laugh.

Grandmother: Look at that.

She shook her head.

Grandmother: Just like your mother.

Elena bit the inside of her cheek.

Hard.

She had spent years learning that arguing only made things worse.

Still, every comment felt like a needle under her skin.

Across the table, her father suddenly stood and grabbed another drink.

The smell of alcohol reached her almost immediately.

Her chest tightened.

Not again.

An hour later, dinner was finally over.

Elena checked the time.

10:55 PM.

She sighed.

Elena: Alright, Dad. I'm heading home.

Mr. Cruz looked up from his drink.

Mr. Cruz: Already?

Elena: I have classes tomorrow.

His expression changed.

Not angry.

Not sad.

Just disappointed.

The kind of disappointment that always made Elena feel guilty.

Mr. Cruz: You only come here when you need something.

Elena froze.

There it was.

The sentence she had been expecting all night.

Mr. Cruz: You're just like your mother.

The words stung more than she wanted to admit.

Tom looked away.

Even he knew where this conversation was heading.

Grandmother: Like mother, like daughter.

Elena closed her eyes briefly.

Count to three.

Breathe.

Don't argue.

Elena: Tom, come on. You have school tomorrow.

Tom shifted uncomfortably.

Before he could answer—

Grandmother: If you're so eager to leave, then leave.

Her eyes narrowed.

Grandmother: Let the boy stay.

Mr. Cruz: He can stay here tonight.

Elena looked at Tom.

Elena: What do you want to do?

Tom hesitated.

He looked at his father.

Then at Elena.

Then at the floor.

Tom: I'll stay.

Elena forced a smile.

Elena: Alright.

Truthfully, she wasn't upset at him.

She was jealous.

Tom could still move between both homes without feeling like he was choosing sides.

Elena lost that privilege years ago.

A few minutes later, she stood at the front door.

Waiting.

A small part of her expected her father to say it.

It's late. I'll drive you home.

Just one sentence.

That was all.

Instead—

Nothing.

Her father returned to his drink.

Tom returned to the couch.

Her grandmother returned to criticizing someone on television.

Nobody stopped her.

Nobody asked if she'd get home safely.

Elena swallowed the lump in her throat.

Then quietly stepped outside.

The door closed behind her.

Click.

The sound felt louder than it should have.

The night air was cool.

Streetlights painted long shadows across the pavement.

Elena shoved her hands into her pockets and started walking.

The shortcut home led through an old tunnel.

Normally she would have taken it.

But tonight she wasn't in the mood to walk through darkness alone.

So she chose the longer route.

The crowded route.

The safer route.

As she walked, her phone suddenly rang.

Mom.

A small smile appeared on her face.

She answered immediately.

Mrs. Cruz: Elena, sweetheart, when are you and Tom coming home?

Elena: Tom's staying at Dad's tonight.

A pause.

Mrs. Cruz: And you?

Elena glanced around.

A nearly empty street.

No father.

No ride.

No ice cream.

Just her.

Walking alone.

She lied anyway.

Elena: Dad's with me.

Mrs. Cruz: Really?

Elena: Yeah.

Mrs. Cruz: That's good.

Relief immediately entered her mother's voice.

Mrs. Cruz: I was worried.

The guilt hit Elena instantly.

Elena: We're actually getting ice cream.

Mrs. Cruz: At this hour?

Elena laughed softly.

Elena: Dad's idea.

Mrs. Cruz: Well... tell him not to spoil you too much.

For the first time all evening, Elena genuinely smiled.

Elena: I'll tell him.

Mrs. Cruz: Come home safe, sweetheart.

Elena: I will.

The call ended.

The smile disappeared.

She stared at the dark screen for a moment.

Then slipped the phone back into her pocket.

Sometimes lying felt easier.

At least her mother would sleep peacefully tonight.

Even if Elena couldn't.

The city lights stretched endlessly before her.

People hurried home.

Cars passed by.

Laughter drifted from nearby shops.

Everyone seemed to have somewhere they belonged.

Somewhere they were wanted.

Elena lowered her gaze and kept walking.

The weight in her chest felt heavier than ever.

Then something caught her attention.

Voices.

Shouting.

Up ahead.

She slowed her steps.

A group of teenagers surrounded another boy near a corner of the street.

The boy looked terrified.

One of them shoved him.

Another laughed.

Elena's eyes narrowed.

The exhaustion instantly vanished.

Elena: Oh, you've got to be kidding me.

Before Elena could even think twice, she was already running.

The exhaustion in her body disappeared beneath a surge of anger.

Up ahead, a group of teenage boys surrounded another student.

The victim looked no older than sixteen.

His school bag lay discarded on the pavement.

His glasses had fallen somewhere nearby.

One boy shoved him.

Another kicked his bag.

The rest laughed.

As if someone's humiliation was entertainment.

Elena's jaw clenched.

Some people really had too much free time.

Elena: HEY!

The boys turned.

For a moment, everyone froze.

The victim looked up hopefully.

The bullies looked annoyed.

Elena: What exactly do you idiots think you're doing?

One of the boys stepped forward.

He looked older than the others.

Probably the leader.

Bully: Mind your own business, lady.

Elena blinked.

Elena: Lady?

A few boys snickered.

Bully: Yeah. This doesn't concern you.

Elena: I'm twenty years old!

The victim accidentally laughed.

Even some of the bullies struggled not to.

Elena pointed at them.

Elena: Oh, now you're laughing? Fantastic.

The leader rolled his eyes.

Bully: Just leave already.

He shoved the victim again.

That was enough.

Elena's patience snapped.

Elena: Alright. New plan.

She marched forward.

The boys exchanged confused looks.

One stepped in front of her.

Bully: And what are you going to do?

Elena: Glad you asked.

The boy pushed her shoulder.

Not hard.

But hard enough.

Big mistake.

Years of boxing classes suddenly became useful.

Elena grabbed his wrist and shoved him backward.

The bully stumbled.

His friends immediately rushed forward.

Bully #2: Seriously?!

Bully #3: She's crazy!

Elena: Correct.

The situation descended into chaos.

One boy tried grabbing her arm.

Elena twisted away.

Another rushed toward her.

She landed a punch straight into his shoulder.

The teenager yelped and backed off.

Unfortunately, there were five of them.

And only one of her.

Someone shoved her from behind.

Elena lost her balance and nearly fell.

Her heart pounded.

This was getting out of hand.

The victim stood frozen.

Too scared to move.

One of the boys picked up a small stone from the ground.

Elena didn't notice.

He pulled his arm back.

Ready to throw—

HEY!

A new voice cut through the night.

Everyone turned.

A tall teenager ran toward them.

His expression was furious.

The stone immediately dropped from the bully's hand.

Jonathan: What the hell is wrong with you guys?!

The bullies visibly hesitated.

Clearly, they knew him.

Jonathan: Leave.

Nobody moved.

Jonathan took another step forward.

Jonathan: I said leave.

Now.

The confidence in his voice was enough.

The boys quickly exchanged glances before retreating.

Within seconds, they disappeared down the street.

Silence returned.

The victim collapsed onto a nearby bench.

His entire body trembled.

Jonathan immediately crouched beside him.

Jonathan: Are you hurt?

The boy shook his head.

Victim: N-No.

His voice cracked.

Victim: Thank you.

Jonathan handed him his school bag.

Jonathan: Can you walk?

The boy nodded.

Tears filled his eyes.

Victim: Thank you. Both of you.

Elena suddenly felt awkward.

She rubbed the back of her neck.

Elena: Yeah, yeah. Just get home safely.

The boy nodded repeatedly.

A few moments later, he left.

The street finally grew quiet again.

Jonathan exhaled heavily.

Then turned toward Elena.

For the first time, they properly looked at each other.

She noticed he's tall, has dark hair and mind eyes.

The type of person who looked responsible without trying.

Jonathan noticed the scrape on Elena's arm.

Jonathan: You're bleeding.

Elena glanced down.

A small cut.

Nothing serious.

Elena: I've had worse.

Jonathan: Somehow, that doesn't surprise me.

For the first time that night, Elena laughed.

A genuine laugh.

Small.

But real.

Jonathan smiled.

Jonathan: You know, most people would've called the police.

Elena: Most people aren't sleep-deprived and emotionally unstable.

Jonathan blinked.

Then laughed.

Jonathan: Fair point.

For a brief moment, the tension disappeared.

It almost felt normal.

Then reality returned.

The clock on a nearby shop flashed 11:27 PM.

Jonathan's expression immediately changed.

Jonathan: Wait.

You're alone?

Elena: Unfortunately.

Jonathan: At this hour?

Elena: Unfortunately.

Again.

Jonathan: That's not safe.

Elena: Neither is jumping into a fight with five teenagers.

Jonathan: You started that fight.

Elena: Technicality.

Jonathan shook his head.

Jonathan: Where do you live?

Elena: Nearby.

A lie.

Jonathan narrowed his eyes.

Clearly unconvinced.

Jonathan: Let me walk you home.

Elena: That's okay.

Jonathan: Seriously.

Elena: Seriously.

They stared at each other.

A battle of stubbornness.

Elena won.

Mostly because Jonathan was too polite to keep arguing.

Finally, he sighed.

Jonathan: Fine.

But at least text someone when you get home.

Elena: You don't even have my number.

Jonathan opened his mouth.

Then immediately closed it.

Elena smirked.

Elena: Exactly.

Jonathan groaned.

Jonathan: You know what? Forget it.

Elena laughed again.

This time a little louder.

For a second, she felt lighter.

As if the weight she'd been carrying all evening had shifted slightly.

Only slightly.

But enough.

Jonathan smiled.

Then glanced toward the road.

He still needed to get home.

And unfortunately...

He knew someone else who was probably in trouble right now.

Noah.

Jonathan pulled out his phone.

Three missed calls.

All from Noah.

His stomach dropped.

That wasn't normal.

Not even for Noah.

A bad feeling settled in his chest.

Jonathan: I should go.

Elena: Yeah.

Probably.

The two exchanged a final nod.

Then walked in opposite directions.

Neither realized it.

But this small encounter had quietly connected two worlds.

One step closer.

One coincidence closer.

To the story that was about to change both their lives forever.

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