The wailing sound of sirens grew louder as a police car pulled up nearby. Two officers quickly got out and ran toward the scene. The older officer was broad-shouldered, his uniform stretched taut over his muscular frame. His belt was loaded with various equipment, and his polished boots hit the pavement with a steady, authoritative rhythm. His partner, a younger officer, was holding an energy bar in one hand—clearly a rushed snack he'd stuffed into his pocket.
The older officer spoke in a low voice to his partner, "You handle the crowd. I'll try to talk to her." The younger officer nodded and turned to the onlookers, asking them to step back and stop filming, emphasizing the importance of protecting the girl's privacy.
Keeping a safe distance, the older officer called out in a calm, stea
