Whisper.
“She’s a thief…”
“It shows…”
“Disgusting…”
Lucia got scared.
He quickly knelt down on the cold ground.
“I didn’t steal them… please… sell them to me… my little brothers are hungry… two babies… they have no milk… they’re going to die…”
Her voice broke.
Her small, trembling hands clutched the manager’s pants.
“Please… I beg you… I’ll pay you back… when I grow up… I’ll work to pay you back…”
Some people burst out laughing.
Nobody approached.
Nobody helped.
Ricardo moved his leg away and shook the girl’s hand dismissively.
“Pay when you grow up?!” he sneered.
“You think you’re going to live that long, trash?”
The crowd laughed even louder.
An elegant woman covered her mouth, laughing.
A man shook his head: “What kind of beggar…”
Lucia lowered her head.
Tears fell to the ground.
But his hands were still holding the cans.
They were all their hope.
“Security!” Ricardo shouted.
“Get her out of here! And call the police! These people need to be locked up!”
The guard approached.
His rough hand reached out—
directly towards the girl’s neck.
But before touching it…
Another hand stopped him.
Firm.
Strong.
Cold.
