The harsh fluorescent lights of the police station buzzed overhead as John sat across from Officer Jennifer Lewis. Andrea, the girl from the alley, was curled up beside Jennifer, her hands trembling as she clutched a thin blanket the officers had given her. The sterile room felt cold and unwelcoming, but Jennifer's calm presence offered a small island of comfort.
Jennifer glanced between them, her voice steady but gentle.
"So, John, tell me again—what exactly happened back there? We want to make sure we have the full picture."
John nodded, hands folded tightly on the table. "I was just walking around the block near my apartment. It was getting late, so I figured I'd stretch my legs. Then I saw those three junkies cornering Andrea in that alley. They looked like they were about to hurt her. I scan the area and noticed police nearby, so I shouted for help as loud as I could."
Jennifer listened carefully, then turned to Andrea, who was wiping away tears. "And you, Andrea? Can you tell me what happened?"
Andrea swallowed hard and looked down, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm Andrea Stark. I... I'm an orphan. The orphanage I was staying at shut down a week ago, so I've been living on the streets since then. That day, I was scavenging for food—just trying to survive." She paused, eyes filling with tears again. "When those junkies jumped me, I didn't know what to do. I was scared… I thought I might not make it." She looked up at John, her voice breaking. "If you hadn't shouted, I don't know what would've happened. Thank you. Thank you so much."
Jennifer stepped closer, wrapping a protective arm around Andrea's shaking shoulders. "You're safe now, Andrea. We'll figure this out."
John watched the scene quietly, feeling something unfamiliar but warm settle inside him.
Jennifer took a deep breath and then spoke firmly. "Both of you—John and Andrea—are orphans, right?" She looked at them meaningfully. "I think... maybe I can help. I want to be your guardian, at least for now. You're not alone anymore."
John blinked in surprise. Andrea's eyes widened, hope flickering like a candle in the dark.
Jennifer reached for her phone. "Let's get you somewhere safe."
The three of them sat quietly in Jennifer's car as it rolled through the city streets. The night air was cooler now, the city lights streaking past the windows.
Jennifer glanced in the rear view mirror. "My apartment's a bit small for all three of us. John, do you have a place where you live?"
John nodded. "Yeah. I inherited a three-room apartment from my mom. It's not fancy, but it's home."
"Good," Jennifer said with a small smile. "Let's head there."
Once inside John's modest apartment, the three settled in. Andrea took a tentative seat on the couch, still clutching the blanket. Jennifer set down a small bag of food she'd brought.
John leaned against the kitchen counter, watching them quietly before breaking the silence. "Andrea, you don't have to be scared here. You're safe."
Andrea looked up, her voice soft but hopeful. "Thank you, John. And you too, Officer Lewis... I don't know what I'd do without you both."
Jennifer smiled warmly. "We're going to get through this together. No more streets, no more fear."
John felt the weight of the day lift just a little. Maybe this was the start of something new—a family not bound by blood, but by trust and care.
He glanced at Andrea, then Jennifer. "I think... I think I just found a family."
Andrea smiled through her tears, and Jennifer nodded in agreement.
For the first time in a long while, hope felt real.