Borrowed Time

I hurried up the creaking stairs back to my cramped, freezing apartment. The worn steps groaned under my sneakers, amplifying the frantic beating of my heart. I pushed the flimsy door open and rushed straight to the tiny stove. The pilot light clicked and caught with a low whoosh. I poured the cold chicken soup into a dented saucepan, my fingers shaking so badly that some of the broth splashed ont