"Oh...!" Startled, Lincoln jumped and fell onto the ground. He stared at the stray woman before him, terrified. "You are...you are not dead? How did you..."

She sneered. "Lincoln, you have underestimated me. I have been independent ever since I turned eighteen. I tried begging for meals, sleeping under bridges, and fighting over food against rats, wild cats and dogs. Back when I was sleeping alone underneath the bridge, I even fought off punks who wanted to molest me! How could I allow myself t