REPEATED MISTAKES

Chapter 1: Who is Tony?

Sarah stepped out of the bathroom after her bath. It was already 19:00, the time when her favorite show, Elora, started. She had watched the series countless times, and though she loved it, she was getting tired of repeating the same episodes. "What now?" she thought, deciding to call her boyfriend, Travis. They had been together for five months. She picked up her phone and dialed his number. The call went through, but to her surprise, he declined it. "He must be busy," she thought, brushing off the disappointment.

"Knock, knock."

Loud bangs echoed from her door. Dressed in her purple nightgown and preparing to go to bed, Sarah froze for a moment. "Who could be knocking at this hour?" she whispered to herself. She hadn't been expecting anyone. Setting her phone down, she slowly walked downstairs as the knocking grew louder and more urgent.

When she opened the door, an old, ragged man stood before her. He looked worn and desperate. Instinctively, Sarah hesitated to let him in, but he pleaded with her. His appearance tugged at her conscience-he was dirty, frail, and clearly in need of help.

"Who are you, and what's your name?" Sarah asked, handing him a plastic chair to sit on. She didn't want him staining her couch, which had been a gift for her birthday.

"My name is Tony," he said. "I live in Sax City, not far from here." Sarah recognized the city-it was where she had been born. His name, too, sounded oddly familiar, though she couldn't place why.

"Why are you here so late?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Please, help me," Tony said, his voice trembling. "I am poor and very old. I have no money and am dying. I haven't eaten anything but leaves and dust for the past three months. I am dying." His voice shook on the last word, and tears welled up in his eyes.

Realizing the seriousness of his situation, Sarah knew it wasn't the time for more questions. She was tired, and Tony was clearly starving. She quickly fetched him a glass of water and asked him to wait while she prepared some food.

Opening the kitchen cupboard, Sarah realized her supplies were low. Not because she was struggling financially, but ever since she'd started dating Travis, she hadn't had to cook much. He always took her out to restaurants or ordered food. A smile crossed her face as she thought about him.

"Who are you thinking about?" Tony's voice broke her thoughts. Startled, she glanced at him. From across the room, with the kitchen cabinet separating them, something about him seemed off. The longer she stared, the stranger he seemed.