Angela’s eyes met the girl’s fleetingly, and she offered a small, reassuring smile. The girl’s lips curled into a tremulous smile of her own, a glimmer of hope shining through the fear.

As the police car pulled away, Angela felt a mixture of relief and sorrow. She knew that the girl’s journey wasn’t over, but she also knew that she had done the right thing. That night, as Angela locked up the office, she felt a renewed sense of purpose. She had helped save a young girl from the shadows, and in doing so, discovered a strength within herself she didn’t know she possessed.