—THERE YOU ARE!
A burly man ran out of a nearby bakery with a stick in his hand.
People on the sidewalk started to stare.
The man pointed at the girl angrily.
—Thief! You stole from me again!
The little girl backed away in terror.
The officer immediately stood in front of her.
« Take that down right now, » he ordered.
The baker was breathing furiously.
—Stay out of it! That girl has been stealing for weeks.
The officer looked at the muddy bread on the floor.
—It’s just bread. I’ll pay for it.
But the man shook his head violently.
—That girl’s debt is much bigger than she thinks.
He tried to hold the little girl’s arm.
Then the officer showed her badge.
—Don’t even think about touching her.
The man froze.
The rain pounded on the asphalt as people around watched in silence.
The girl remained hidden behind the officer, trembling.
« What’s your name? » she asked softly.
The little girl hesitated.
-Sofia.
—Do you have parents?
Silence was answer enough.
The officer’s expression changed.
-Where do you live?
Sofia lowered her gaze.
—I don’t have a home.
The baker let out a bitter laugh.
—Of course he doesn’t have any. His mother died months ago. Since then, he’s been showing up here stealing food.
The officer felt a knot in her chest.
He looked at the girl again.
Too thin.
Too scared.
Too used to running away.
« How many days have you gone without eating? » he asked.
Sofia did not respond.
But her eyes did.
Then the officer made a decision.
—Come with me.
The baker protested immediately.
—He can’t just take her away!
The officer stared at him.
—Would you prefer that I ask questions about why he is chasing a minor with a stick in the rain?
The man remained silent.
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