New Beginnings

Ashley stepped into the small one-bedroom apartment, the smell of mildew and dampness hitting her like a wave. She felt a sudden surge of nausea and her stomach churned as she tried to process the overwhelming odor. She rushed to the bathroom, barely making it to the toilet before she threw up. The smell was that bad. After she had composed herself, Ashley began to explore the apartment. It was small, with a tiny kitchen and a living room that was barely big enough for a sofa. The walls were a dull gray and the carpet was stained and worn. But it was home, and Ashley was determined to make the best of it. She pulled out a can of air freshener and sprayed it liberally throughout the apartment, trying to mask the smell of mildew. As she moved from room to room, she pulled out the photos she had brought with her and began to put them up on the walls. There were pictures of her and Ryan, taken on happy times when they were together. There were also pictures of her and Emily, who had been her rock during the past few difficult days. As she worked, Ashley felt a sense of determination wash over her. She was going to make this apartment a home, no matter what. She was going to create a safe and happy space for herself and her baby. Just as she was finishing up, there was a knock at the door. It was the landlord, a gruff but kind man who had come to show her around the apartment and answer any questions she might have. "So, what do you think?" he asked, looking around the apartment. "It's not the fanciest place, but it's a roof over your head, right?" Ashley nodded, trying to be positive. "It's fine, thank you," she said. "I'll take care of it, I promise." The landlord nodded, his expression serious. "Just one thing, okay? The crime rate in this area is pretty high. You've got to be careful, especially at night. Keep your doors and windows locked, and don't go out alone if you can help it." Ashley nodded, feeling a shiver run down her spine. She had heard that this part of town wasn't the safest, but she hadn't thought much of it. Now she was beginning to wonder if she had made a mistake. As the landlord left, Ashley heard a knock at the door. It was Emily, who had come over with her kids to help Ashley get settled. As Emily walked into the apartment, her eyes widened in shock. "Ash, what the hell?" she said, looking around at the state of the apartment. "This place is...not great." Ashley sighed, feeling a bit defensive. "I know it's not perfect," she said. "But it's home, right? And it's better than being on the streets." Emily looked at her, her expression softening. "I'm just worried about you, Ash," she said. "This place is not safe. And it's not healthy, either. That smell is awful." Ashley nodded, feeling a bit defeated. She knew that Emily was right, but what was she going to do? This was her home now, and she had to make the best of it.