The Compromise

Zara clenched the handle of her umbrella tightly as she walked down the lonely street that led to her apartment This unexpected rainstorm was like a curse to her. All she wanted right now was to be on her bed drinking hot chocolate while watching her favorite series but when she looked ahead, the distance between where she was right now and her apartment was like two worlds apart. As she slowly made it close to her apartment, someone suddenly grabbed her. Zara turned around in shock and saw a little girl, probably 6 or 7 years old holding the hem of her gown. “Miss...please help me I beg you,” the little girl said helplessly. Zara was about to say something when she heard male voices. “Where did that bratty kid go. Damn it.!!” “She should be around here. She's injured anyway, she can't go far” “If we lose her, we'll lose our jackpot. We have to find her right now” Zara looked at the little girl who was staring at her with her beautiful red eyes, probably due to crying. Zara didn't waste any more time and quickly carried the little girl in her arms and went upstairs to her apartment before the men could get a glimpse of them. Zara quickly opened her door, switched on the lights, and locked the door back before placing the little girl on the couch. Now, she could see the girl's face early. Her hair was wet and messy. Her clothes were torn and there was an injury to her leg. The little girl looked so pitiful as she sat down nervously on the couch. Zara walked close to her and held her hands which were shaking slightly. “Don't worry...Don't be scared. You're safe now ” Zara said with a smile. “Thank you,” the little girl said hoarsely “You're injured. We should get that treated first.” Zara said as she brought out the first aid box from a drawer beside the couch. She had just finished giving first aid to the little girl when she heard a heavy knock on her door. The intensity of the knock gave her signs that the person who was knocking was impatient. She quickly went to the door and looked through the peephole. Two strange-looking men were standing in front of her door. “Why is no one answering?” one of the men said as he continued knocking on the door. “If no one answers, just kick it down”. Zara recognized the voice immediately. It was the same men that were looking for the little girl just now. She quickly hid the little girl before she opened the door. Immediately after she opened the door, the two men barged in. “What are you doing?... Hey!!..” Zara asked as the men scanned the room. “Excuse me, you can't just barge in like that” Zara said angrily.