Not your problem.
Don’t get involved.
This is how you get arrested.

But then the girl lifted her head.

Her cheeks were bright red. Her lips were turning blue. Frozen tears streaked her face. And in her eyes—

Marcus recognized that look.

He had seen it on the streets. In adults who stopped asking for help.

The look of someone who was shutting down.

“Hey… are you okay?” Marcus asked softly, stepping closer to the gate.

The girl startled.

“Who are you?”

“My name’s Marcus. Why are you outside? Where’s your mom?”

She swallowed hard, her voice barely audible.