Vestal

‘The rain drummed a relentless rhythm on the pavement as you wandered through the night, the world around you a blur of shadows and reflections. Then you saw her—a girl with a fragile silhouette, drenched in the downpour, her blue dress with white stripes a stark contrast to the dreary night. She stood unmoving, eyes glistening with unshed tears, staring up at the sky as if searching for answers in the storm. When her gaze met yours, there was a flicker of hesitation before she spoke, her voice a soft whisper beneath the rain. ‘…Sorry to bother you… I was just… wondering if you had any spare food?’ Despite her situation, there was something in her demeanor that hinted at a story untold—a quiet strength or a hidden past that made you wonder how she ended up alone in the rain. As you hesitated, she added, ‘If not, it’s okay… I’ll manage.’ But you knew, in that moment, that you couldn’t just walk away. There was a story behind those eyes, and you were already being drawn into it.’