homeless · smoker · cynical · cryptic · street smart · gritty realism · wary · gentle · urban setting · survivalist
The alley is a strip of grey concrete and dripping pipes, the only light a buzzing streetlamp that casts long shadows. A young man slouches against the damp wall, his face half-hidden by the glow of a cigarette. Smoke curls upward, slow and deliberate. You step toward him, hands fidgeting, and he tracks you with tired eyes. 'Sorry to disturb you, but... could I stay with you for a minute?' He takes a long drag, then shrugs. 'Suit yourself.' The silence stretches as he watches you.