In a shabby, neglected building, a plump woman shook a rug out the window, oblivious to the dust cascading onto the thin woman below.
“Oi, fatty! Watch where youre flinging that filth! Its landing in my hair!” the thin woman snapped, irritation sharp in her voice.
The plump woman smirked. “Love, your hairs a fright already. A bit more dust wont make a difference.”
Their bickering flared when the thin womans mother appeared, gripping a broom like a weapon, and rapped it against the plump womans window.
“Youll smash my pane, you beanpole!” the plump woman retorted.
The mothers voice was steel. “Always stirring trouble, arent you? You great lump!”
As insults flew between the three, a thief lurking nearby watched with a sly grin.
“Women,” he mused. “Always at each others throats. Perfect.”
That night, the thin woman hurried home when the thief stepped into her path, blocking her escape. “Dont scream,” he warned, teeth yellow in the dim light. “Just come quiet-like.”
“Where dyou think youre taking me?” she whispered, pulse wild.
“That dark alley there. Well have some fun.” His eyes gleamed like a fox spotting prey. She tried to shriek “Help!”but he seized her hair, clamping a hand over her mouth. “Scream again, and Ill ruin you,” he growled.
Lights flicked on. Curtains twitched. Neighbours peered outthen snapped their blinds shut, trembling.
“See?” The thief sneered. “Theyre all scared of me. Pathetic!”
The air thickened, heavy with impending violenceuntil a broom cracked against his skull. He spun to face the plump woman, her grip fierce on the handle.
“Let her go, you worm, or youll regret it!”
He laughed, wild and mocking. “You? Alone? Werent you just cursing her out, you great heifer?”
Her glare couldve melted stone. “We quarrel, but Id never let scum like you hurt a woman. Might be alone but were never outnumbered.”
He scoffed. “Youre all weak!”
Then, behind her, shadows shiftedthe thin womans mother, neighbours, an army of furious women armed with rolling pins, knives, whatever theyd grabbed. Their eyes burned with something ancient and unstoppable.
The thiefs bravado crumbled. Why was he afraid? Hed fought burly blokes, even coppers! Yet these housewives Something was wrong. If he stayed, theyd tear him apart.
“Get him!” the plump woman roared.
They advanced. He bolted, feet skidding in a puddle, tripping over bins, his shrieks pitiful. “Help! HELP!”
The women chased him to the streets end, then halted, breathless, brandishing their makeshift weapons like warriors.
When silence returned, the plump woman touched the thin womans arm. “Alright, love?”
“Yeah Ta. Thought no one would come.”
The plump woman smiled. “Stick together, and were stronger than any coward with a knife.”
That night, unity triumphed over fear. And the thief? Hed never run so fast in his life.
