Andrew watched them absentmindedly, wondering when his own life had become so narrow that the most personal choice he made most days was what dinner to order.
That’s when he saw her.
The girl stood beside the iron fence near the building’s entrance, small and still against the swirling snow.
Her dark hair was pulled into a thin ponytail, and she wore a tan winter coat that looked just a little too light for the bitter cold. A red sweater peeked out from underneath, and a tiny backpack rested beside her feet.
Her boots were worn but sturdy—the kind parents buy hoping they’ll survive the whole winter.
But it was her expression that caught Andrew’s attention.
She was scanning the crowd anxiously, studying every passerby with wide, worried eyes—like someone searching desperately for one familiar face among strangers.
People walked right past her.
Andrew felt something tighten in his chest.
He had seen that look before.
The silent panic of someone waiting for help that might never come.
He walked closer and crouched so he wouldn’t tower over her.
“Hi there,” he said gently. “Are you okay? Are you waiting for someone?”
The girl turned toward him.