Chapter 11 Couldn’t Figure It Out
Evelyn and Bethany had a long talk.
She didn’t leave the office until they’d finished their conversation.
As for what happened with Alice, Evelyn didn’t give it much thought afterward.
It’s normal for fish to go after bait, but someone has to toss the bait in first.
After wrapping up her classes for the day, she got ready to head home.
She was supposed to meet up with Philip that evening at the shooting range. But since Quade had suddenly collapsed, and Philip, being the class representative, had to report it, he probably wouldn’t have time.
Evelyn didn’t want to
When she got home, she
They were both smiling, bu
his plate, so she suggested they move their plans to the weekend.
ne chatting with Alice.
econd they noticed Evelyn, those smiles disappeared like someone had flipped a switch.
The mood instantly shifted–it was…… her presence caused static in the air that broke whatever bond they’d just shared.
Yvonne caught herself and quickly tried to smooth things over. “Evelyn, you’re just now getting back? I was asking Alice how she’s been home for so long and hasn’t seen you yet.”
“I had an elective this aftern, Evelyn replied. “Graduation’s right around the corner, so the professors are wrapping things up this week. They’ll be entering grades next week.”
“Oh, I see. You’ve been working hard,” Yvonne said with a warm tone. “Why don’t I make fried chicken for dinner–your favorite? That should give you a boost.”
“Sounds good,” Evelyn answered right away, not turning down the offer.
She still looked sweet and innocent on the surface, just like she always had.
But Yvonne and Alice had both started to get cautious.
Evelyn wasn’t as easy to deal with anymore.
Not paying them any more attention, she headed upstairs to rest.
At dinner, the table really was filled with her favorite–fried chicken.
And not just that. A bunch of other dishes she liked were served too.
Yvonne kept piling food on her plate until Evelyn felt more than full.
“You should take a walk, or you’ll have trouble falling asleep later,” Yvonne said.
Then she handed Evelyn two bucks and a food ration coupon. “Could you run over to the Southville supply store and buy some pasta? Your dad’s been craving pasta, but we’re all out.”
The walk to Southville was at least two miles each way–four in total.
And carrying groceries on the way back? It would be great for digestion.
But it was obvious Yvonne had other reasons for sending her out.
Evelyn gave a quiet smile but didn’t say anything. She took the money and coupon and left without protest.
She slipped into a small alley and made her way toward Brightrule Street. That was when she heard a voice echoing from a nearby dead–end.
It was low and raspy, filled with tension. “H–hand over your money!”
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Chapter 11 Couldn’t Figure It Out
Evelyn peeked down the alley and saw a scruffy man holding a big kitchen knife, trying to mug an old lady.
She sighed and stepped in slowly. “Hey, you’re supposed to show respect to elders and look out for the young.”
She blocked the exit behind him without a word.
+8 Pearls
He started getting anxious, tightening his grip on the knife. “Who the hell are you? Stay out of this. I just want some cash.”
“Needing money’s one thing. Robbing someone for it? Whole different story.”
Evelyn calmly walked forward. She pretended to move one way, then slid up close. In one quick move, she grabbed his wrist, twisted it just right, and pressed down hard. He gasped in pain, his fingers letting go of the knife.
She’d studied medicine, after all–she knew exactly where to apply pressure.
Before he could react she had him completely under control.
The elderly woman ne
It took her a while to snap
And completely stunned.
Evelyn smiled and turned to her police station.”
fit. “Young lady, you’re seriously something else.”
im, you should head home now. It’s not safe to be out here. I’ll take this guy to the
The old woman was still clely shaken up, but she quickly thanked Evelyn and hurried off.
She moved so fast that you wouldn’t think she was an old lady at all.
Evelyn let out a small sigh and turned her focus back.
Now all that was left was to deal with the guy in front of her.
Before she could even say anything, he started pleading. “Please don’t turn me in. I’m begging you, I can’t go to the cops.”
He didn’t want to go, and honestly, Evelyn wasn’t thrilled about it either.
The station was far, and taking him there meant giving her statement and wasting the whole evening.
So she let him go and dug around in her bag until she pulled out five bucks. “Here. Just take this. You’re such a noob at robbing people. You’d be better off collecting scrap metal.”
He didn’t really get what she meant by “noob,” but he could tell she was trying to help.
Then suddenly, he dropped down on his knees.
The guy was tall and skinny, and now he was kneeling, shoulders shaking, completely breaking down. “Thank you. I didn’t want things to go this way. I just… I had no other choice.”
“There’s always a choice,” Evelyn said gently. “If you’re really willing to change, you can.”
She had.
Getting a second shot at life had already let her rewrite so much.
But the more she spoke, the harder the man cried. “No … I really don’t have any other options. My mom … She’s really sick.”
His voice kept cracking as he explained, and that was when Evelyn finally pieced it together.
His name was Marvin Wood. His mom was really sick at home. He’d spent everything he had trying to treat her, but nothing had worked. He wanted to take her to a proper hospital in the city, but he didn’t even have money for the ride there. That was what pushed him to try and rob someone.
Pretty stupid, honestly.
If he got arrested before getting her help, she’d be stuck all alone.
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Chapter 11 Couldn’t Figure It Out
Evelyn understood where he was coming from and asked. “What’s she sick with?”
Marvin wiped his tears on his dirty, worn–out sleeve and shook his head. “I don’t really know.”
“No doctors told you anything?”
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“They couldn’t figure it out either. Her skin’s rotting and full of pus. It never heals. The sores are spreading–now they’re on her face too. She wraps herself up in gauze every day to stop it from getting worse, but after a while, the bandages get stuck to her skin. It hurts so bad when we try to change them…”
Evelyn nodded, thinking quietly for a second. Then she asked, “Is your place far from here?”
“Not really. I just can’t go too far from home. I’m scared something might happen to her while I’m out.”
Evelyn said. “Take me there. I’m a doctor too, even though I haven’t started interning or gotten my license yet. But if you trust me, I il take a look I’ll do what I can.”
Marin didn’t even stop to think.
Evelyn had no idea ho more than she ever exp
h this moment would mean to him and his mother–that they’d pay her back for this kindness
“Okay. I’ll bring you right now!”
He was at the end of his rope. And even the smallest bit of hope was worth chasing.
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