vulnerable

After work Sofia often walks along the river , enjoying the tranquil air and the changing light that softens the city . On rainy evenings she feels more vulnerable because the streets are sparsely populated and reflections blur familiar landmarks . To reduce that unease she carries a compact umbrella and a small torch , yet she never completely sheds the slight apprehension that accompanies solitude . If she pauses at a corner , a friendly shopkeeper's wave or the warm glow of a late caf é can reassure her enough to continue . Sometimes she stops to watch the water , where the lights on the surface offer a calming perspective on minor worries . By the time she reaches her apartment , the routine of locking the door and making tea has transformed that earlier vulnerability into a manageable , almost ordinary feeling .