Freedom. Almost a month after being locked up, Shaniqua finally exited the county jail, heading back towards Castle Apartments walking west on Poplar. Even though she was evicted from her apartment, she had no place else to go. On a whim, Ms. King headed south on H. Street. I need a smoke, Shaniqua thought to herself. She lit up a cheap Marboro as the heavens opened up. The onslaught of rain soaked Shaniqua, causing her to run for cover under the back awning of Forever 21.
After 20 minutes the storm slowed down to a light drizzle. Seeing her chance to make it to a more permanent shelter for the night, Shaniqua errantly tossed the cigarette down. As she ran up H. Street, the rain steadily began to increase again. Headed in the opposite direction was a man Shaniqua only knew as Lucas, flustered. Turning around to watch him pass, Shaniqua noticed the faint glow from Forever 21. Shit. Immediately she ran up the streets not knowing where she was headed, only that she had to get away from the inferno behind her.
