Runaway Child (1/3)

As I was walking to school, I heard someone crying nearby. I ignored it and continue walking down the path towards the school; it wasn't that far away. But the screech sound from the owner of the tear's heart keeps reaching out to me. I wanted to ignore it, but it kept tugging my jacket; more and more.

I just waited and continued walking, so that someone else would come and help them. That would be the most common solution in this scenario. But instead I took a turn into a alleyway.

There I found a little girl crying. I didn't feel like helping the girl on the floor. But the more faces I saw that ignored her made me feel more irritated. I sighed in annoyance knowing that I'm going to be late for school, but at least it's not because I've overslept this time.

The little girl looked very thin with a ripped up pink dress. She also has black hair and pale white skin. I then crouched down next to her. "Hey, what are you crying about?", I asked her. She looked up at me with tears in her eyes. "Nothing...", she replied quietly. Who are you?"

The girl wiped her tears as she waited for my response. "My name is Erin. I was walking to school earlier, but then I heard you crying. So I came over; can you tell me what's wrong?", I told her. She looked at me in disbelief, but also like a savior.

"I ran...(inaudible)"

"Can you repeat that?", I asked. The girl whispered louder, "I ran...from home"

"Why did you run away from home?"

"Because brother told me to run..."

"Why did your brother tell you to run?"

"Because I would get hurt if I stayed"

"Hurt by who?"

"Papa....."

"Why would your papa hurt you?"

"I don't know. He looked sick, but he walk just fine."

"Did he have a tool or weapon to hit you with?"

"He had a bottle..."

"Did anyone get hurt?"

"My mama was sick and papa tried to hit her, but brother stopped him. Papa threw the bottle at brother....."

The girl started to cry again. Her eyes were full of tears, and her heart was being covered by a blanket. A blanket so thin that it could be ripped easily. Even so, someone can take that blanket and sew it again.

"Did you ask for anyone's help?", I asked her. She nodded, "I did, but they ignored me and walked away..." "They said something about homeless rats, but what does homeless mean?", the girl asked.

If I was a parent, I would tell my child about the outside world when they turn 5. But this girl doesn't seem to know much about the outside world. I probably don't have the right to say much, but it's not like I'm explaining death to a little girl.

"Homeless means people with no money. They have no homes or food to eat", I told her. She looked at me with a worried face, "No food at all? No home?"....."Yes"

"Why can't we give them what we have?", the girl asked. "I would be very glad if everyone had shelter and food, but the earth is becoming smaller every second.", I told her. She seemed confused, but explaining would be a waste of time right now.

I got up and grabbed the little girl's hand, "Don't worry you'll learn more about this. For now we need to get you home" The girl hesitated saying that she was too scared to go home. It was already getting late, and it was getting colder.

"I'll help you once we get you home, ok?", I said. The girl looked scared as she said that her brother won't let her wander with strangers. "Well I mean, you don't have to trust me. I can help you if you like, but if not then good luck getting home in the dark.", I replied. Then I started to walk away from the girl, but as soon as I turned away from her she tugged my jacket. "I'll go with you...", she whispered.

I then gave her a smile, "Come on then. Let's get you home" We then walked together the whole way while talking and laughing. Until we reached her house....

Runaway Child part 1 complete

Part two coming soon...