CHAPTER 1 — THE ONLY ONE WHO STOPPED
“You were the only adult out there today—” the officer paused, correcting himself as his eyes lingered on her small frame. “—the only person who stopped.”
The girl swallowed hard. Her arms were wrapped tightly around herself, as if she could hold herself together just a little longer.
“I thought… maybe someone would come back for him,” she whispered. “I waited. A long time.”
The station was quiet now. Even the usual chatter had faded, replaced by the soft, uneven breathing of the infant in the officer’s arms.
“How old are you?” he asked gently.
“…Seventeen.”
“Name?”
“Lena.”
He nodded slowly, studying her again—really studying her this time. The dirt on her clothes wasn’t just from today. The hollowness in her cheeks wasn’t from missing one meal. This wasn’t a girl who had wandered into trouble.
This was a girl who lived in it.
“Do you have somewhere to stay tonight, Lena?”
She hesitated. That was answer enough.
The officer exhaled, then adjusted the baby in his arms. The infant stirred, letting out a soft cry. Instinctively, Lena stepped forward.
“Can I…?” she asked.
He hesitated only a second before handing the baby back to her.
The moment the child touched her arms, he settled.
The entire room noticed.
“Looks like he already made his choice,” one of the other officers muttered.
May you like
The first officer gave a small, thoughtful nod.
“Let’s figure this out,” he said quietly. “For both of you.”
