When He Sees Me

wasn't the terrified little girl who had escaped the orphanage. Life on the streets had toughened her. She kn

ver her face, and her sweater, now too small, was ripped at the sleeves. Around her, the city roared with life-

g her focus on the crowd. It was the only way t

you h

t of her. He wore a black cassock, a rosary tucked neatly into his belt. His kind face was fra

warily, say

mell of roasted meat and fresh bread wafting

nger tearing at her insides. But she stopped.

" she

with sincerity. "You don't have to be afraid. It's common practice f

y and pulling it into her lap. She tore off a chunk of bread

our name?

if she should answer. After a

patient, "you shouldn't be out here alone. This c

ts screaming at her to leave, b

re your

ylvia dropped her gaze to the

to hear that. But listen, you don't have to stay out

n the bag. She didn't ans

ht. That's when she heard it-a voice

food . . . though Father Michael says I'm too trusting. What i

n her eyes darted

e asked, her voice sha

nked. "I didn'

Michael thinks you're too

urrowed. "How do

"You just told

ith confusion. But then his thoughts ca

s this girl possessed? How el

ad as if to clear it. This wasn't

remained steady. "Who are you, really?" he asked, hi

hild is unnatural. Something fo

tting deeper than his words. She stumbled

ood," she muttered,

rted, but Sylvia was a

grew louder,

l someone? No . . . no. I need to pray for

r it, his lips moving in silent prayer. Sylvia

her whole. Her chest heaved as she pressed herself against the c

g with me?"

r, distinct, impossible to ignore. She hadn't

the slums, she'd thought she understood the rules of the streets-trust no one

ay from

. She didn't know what had just happened or why, but one thing was clear-she couldn't let it happen

ice-or whatever it was-played over and over in her mind. She hadn't told anyone about what happened. Who would she tell? Danny

hrough the marketplace, her eyes

ard? His thoughts? T

hear," she muttered to herself.

her arms, her face tired and strained.

n it ha

im to sleep for an hou

stakable, like a whisper she wasn't supposed to hear. He

t just t

ear people'