3

  Finn steadied the old woman carefully, making sure she could stand without wavering. Her hands were thin and cold, but when she gripped his arm, there was surprising strength there—like her spirit was sturdier than her body allowed.

  Beside the bridge, tucked behind a patch of overgrown grass, was a rusted grocery cart piled high with folded bnkets, pstic bags, and a few dented cans. Finn realized these weren’t random scraps—this was her life, packed into a metal frame with squeaking wheels.

  “Is this all yours?” Finn asked gently.

  She nodded. “Been with me a long time.”

  “Let’s move it somewhere safer.” He pced both hands on the cart handle and began pushing. The wheels compined loudly, but they moved.

  Maxi, Ellie, and Car jogged down the slope toward him now, still shaken but relieved to see him okay. Maxi opened his mouth to scold him—Finn could see the words coming—but Finn spoke first.

  “I’m fine,” he said, giving a small, reassuring smile. “Listen… can you three go on to school? I’ll just be a little te.”

  “You sure?” Ellie asked, eyes still wide.

  “Yeah. I just need to help her. I know the priest at the cathedral nearby. He’ll help. He always does.”

  The old woman stared at him with surprise. “You’d take me there?”

  Finn nodded. “It’s warm, and safe. And you won’t have to deal with anything like… that again.” He didn’t look back toward the shadows under the bridge.

  Car exchanged a gnce with Ellie, then nodded. “We’ll tell the teacher you’ll be te.”

  Maxi hesitated, chewing his lip. But he finally cpped Finn’s shoulder once—firm, trusting—before turning to follow the womans.

  As they walked away, Finn and the old woman slowly made their way along the quiet street, the squeaking cart rolling beside them, heading toward the cathedral’s rising spire.