In a crumbling tenement building, a plump woman shook a rug out the window, oblivious to the dust cascading onto the thin woman below.
“Hey, fatty! Mind that rugyou’re getting filth in my hair!” the thin woman shrieked, her voice sharp with irritation.
The plump woman smirked. “Darling, your hairs a disaster already. A bit more dust wont make a difference.”
The argument flared until the thin womans mother stormed out, broom in hand, and rapped it hard against the plump womans window.
“Youll shatter my glass, you beanpole!” the plump woman snapped.
The mothers voice was steel. “Always stirring trouble, arent you? You great lump!”
As the three women hurled insults, a thief lurking nearby watched with a wicked grin. *Women always at each others throats. Perfect.*
That night, as the thin womanEmilywalked home, the thief stepped into her path. “Dont scream,” he growled, blocking her way. “Just come quietly.”
“Where are you taking me?” Her voice trembled.
His yellowed teeth glinted. “That dark alley. Were going to have some fun.”
His eyes gleamed like a starving foxs. She tried to cry out”Help!”but he seized her hair, clamping a hand over her mouth.
“Another sound, and Ill ruin you,” he snarled.
Lights flickered on in the building. Curtains twitched as neighbours peered outonly to snap them shut again, fear tightening their throats.
“See?” The thief sneered. “All these women, terrified of me. Pathetic!”
The air thickened with dangeruntil a broom handle cracked against his skull. Whirling, he faced the plump woman, her grip white-knuckled on the shaft.
“Let her go, you swine, or youll regret it!”
He barked a laugh. “You? Alone? Listen, butterball, you were just tearing strips off hernow youre playing hero?”
Her glare couldve melted iron. “Weve our quarrels, but Id never let scum like you harm a woman. Maybe Im alonebut were *never* alone.”
The thief scoffed. “Youre all weak!”
Then, behind her, doors slammed open. The mother. Other neighbours. A tide of furious women armed with rolling pins, kitchen knives, broomstheir eyes blazing.
For the first time, fear coiled in his gut. *Why am I scared? Ive fought armed coppers, tough blokes This lots just housewives!* But the air crackled with violence, like wolves circling prey.
“Come on, girls!” the plump woman roared.
They surged forward. The thief bolted, shrieking, “Help!” He skidded into a puddle, crashed into a bin, and scrambled away like a madman.
The women halted, chests heaving, then raised their weapons in triumphant furya war cry that couldve shaken the streets.
After, the plump womanMargaretturned to Emily. “You all right?”
Emily swallowed tears. “Yes Thank you. I thought no one would come.”
Margaret smiled. “If women stood together more, the world would be better. Were stronger united.”
That night, a band of ordinary women crushed one mans crueltyand proved that together, they could face anything.
