50

With heavy steps, Stella strolled down the street without any thought. Tears welled up but did not fall from her swollen, puffy eyes, leaving her face expressionless. She applied so intense pressure on the sack that it hardly resembled a bag.

Whoa! Someone sprinted by her, bringing her to the ground.

She toppled sideways, spilling her entire contents onto the earth as her bag tore apart. The man who had encountered her halted and observed her plummet into a daze. The man knelt down and assisted her in gathering her belongings, giving her everything he had gathered as soon as he recognized what had transpired.

"Everything you own is here. I'm sorry, but I have to leave.” The man hurried off after giving her back the items.

She took a seat on the ground and gathered her things. She had nowhere else to store her belongings because her bag was broken. She then turned to stare at her lap. It was difficult to see her feelings through her downcast eyes. She started to laugh softly.