She was still standing there, in the rain, staring at me without blinking. Her eyes were wide, dark, and filled with something I couldn't quite decipher-a mixture of stillness, curiosity, or perhaps something deeper. I tried to speak again, hoping she would respond this time.
"Who are you?" I asked, my voice a little firmer, trying to break the awkward silence.
She didn't answer, just bowed her head slowly, letting the rainwater drip from her wet hair. Her school uniform clinging to her small body further revealed her figure, and something caught my eye-her slightly protruding belly, something unnatural for a girl her age.
"Are you okay? Did you get lost?" I asked again, trying to get closer.
She remained silent, making the atmosphere even stranger. I started to think-could she have gone the wrong way? Could she be involved in something bad, like being peddled by someone else?
The thought made my chest feel heavy. I don't know why, but I feel like something is wrong here. The rain was getting heavier, and her little body seemed to be shivering.
"I just want to help," I said softly, trying to calm things down. But her blank gaze remained unchanged.
I stood there, not knowing what to do. This girl was like a riddle, and I wasn't sure if I wanted to figure out the answer.
I let out a long breath, trying to overcome the awkwardness that was weighing on the atmosphere. The rain was getting heavier, and this girl remained standing where she was, without moving an inch.
Seeing her like that made my heart feel uncomfortable. For some reason, I felt that something was very wrong. I looked down and picked up the umbrella that had fallen, then opened it again.
"Take it," I said as I thrust the umbrella at him.
She stared at the umbrella for a moment, then slowly extended her hand. When she accepted the umbrella, her expression still didn't change, as if she didn't know how to respond.
"Don't stay out too long. You'll get sick," I said, trying to sound gentle.
I don't know what prompted me, but I reached out and stroked her hair lightly. Her wet hair was cold under my hand, but I just wanted to provide some comfort.
"Take care of yourself, okay?" I said in a low tone. "Don't get lost on the wrong path."
Suddenly, she looked at me with eyes that began to tear up. Her tears flowed silently, mixing with the raindrops on her face. "Thank you," she said finally, her voice almost a whisper.
The words were simple, but filled with emotions that were hard to explain. It was as if no one had ever treated her with such kindness before.
I was silent for a moment, not knowing what to say. There was something very sad about this girl, something that made me want to help her further. But I knew this wasn't the place or time to find out more.
I looked at her once more before stepping back. There was something very strange about this girl, but I didn't know if I should keep thinking about it or continue my journey.
I stepped back, leaving the girl standing where she was. The umbrella I gave her hung limply in her hand, not used to protect herself from the rain. I looked at her once more, trying to find an answer in her face that remained flat despite her tears.
"Well, I have to go now," I said finally, my voice low.
She just nodded, but said nothing more. I turned around, walking slowly away from her, while the rain continued to pour down. However, I couldn't ignore the strange feeling that followed me. Every step felt heavy, as if there was something that made me want to go back to him.
I stopped for a moment, looking back. She was still standing there, not moving an inch. The umbrella was still in his hand, but he didn't open it. She just stared blankly ahead, like someone who had lost her way.
"Why isn't she moving?" I muttered to myself, feeling anxious.
But I knew I couldn't go back. That strange feeling was too hard for me to explain, and I didn't know if I was ready to face whatever she might bring.
I quickened my pace, trying to ignore the thoughts that kept invading my head. But the image of the girl remained, like an unfinished puzzle.
When I got home, I still couldn't get the image of that girl out of my mind. Who was she really? And why did I feel that this encounter was the beginning of something much bigger?