Heartstrings on Fire

Good thing Agnes was quick on her feet, so that bucket of water only dampened the hem of her dress.
The woman was fierce and intimidating. “Get out! Now! You’re not welcome here.”
Agnes said calmly, “Mrs. Fabian, I just want to talk to you. I mean no harm.”
Mrs. Fabian looked impatient. “I have nothing to discuss with journalists. Leave now or I’ll kick you out.” With that, Mrs. Fabian
slammed the door shut.
Agnes found herself left out in the cold.
She sighed. This was a tough nut to crack, no chance for a conversation at all.
But Agnes was not one to give up so easily. She stood at the doorstep, plotting her next move.
Soon after, she heard the barking of dogs in the alleyway, and clearly someone else was approaching.
Sure enough, Jared, dressed in a sleek black overcoat, came in slowly with the backdrop of the setting sun.
Seeing Jared was like swallowing a calming pill for Agnes, whose anxiety lessened considerably at his sight.
Jared approached her and noticing her damp dress, he asked, “What happened?”
Agnes frowned. “I couldn’t get in and start a conversation. Do you have any ideas?”
Jared replied, “Let me try.”
Hearing his words, Agnes was hopeful. After all, Jared was famously known as a skilled negotiator in the business world.
Jared knocked on the door again, and in no time, the door swung open.
A voice, filled with venom, emerged from within, “Are you still here? Leave now or I’ll call the police.” The same woman’s voice,
filled with murderous intent. Seeing two people at her doorstep, she snarled, “What now, you brought reinforcements? Don’t think
I’ll be scared just because you brought someone along. Get lost, all of you, or we’ll all go down together.”
“What about the stray animals? If you’re gone, who will take care of them?”
Jared’s words seemed to hit a nerve. The woman’s expression changed visibly, her faux ferocity falling apart in an instant.

A thought suddenly came to Agnes‘ mind, so she said, “Mrs. Fabian, although I’m a journalist, I’m not here to discuss your
eviction. I’m working on a special feature for the Stray Animal Protection Association about the stray animals in Harmony Hollow.
Since you’re the only resident here, we can only get information from you.”
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Fabian’s expression softened as she asked, “So you’re not here on behalf of the government to force us
out?”
Agnes smiled and answered, “I’m a journalist, not a government official. Evictions are not within my jurisdiction, Mrs. Fabian.
We’re not here to convince you to relocate.”
Mrs. Fabian seemed doubtful but finally opened her door. “Come in, both of you.”
Agnes and Jared exchanged a glance before entering.
Agnes marveled at Jared’s perceptiveness. His casual mention of the stray animals was enough to lower Mrs. Fabian’s guard.
Once inside, Agnes noticed even more cats and dogs in the yard. They occupied every corner of the yard.
Almost every available space in the yard had been made into a nest for these animals.
This only solidified Agnes‘ initial thoughts.
Mrs. Fabian led them into a room. “We’re simple folks, so please excuse our humble cottage.
Then, she called out to an old man chopping vegetables in the corner, “Old man, we have guests.”