A little girl? Again?

"Err, sir?"

A weak hand tugged on his wrist. He glanced down to his left to see a young girl half his height looking at him with puppy-dog eyes.

"Um, sir, is it going to rain?"

Her outfit was utterly despicable. Torn in several places and older than the taxi car that had dropped him off. Aaron's gaze darted between the little girl and the sky.

"I think so." Aaron paused. "Where are your parents, kid?"

The girl shook her head. "Don't have any."

Aaron blinked. She was alone, in the middle of the streets with a stranger, ragged and dirty, and asking about the weather. "You're an orphan," he said, his lips going dry. "Where is your caretaker?"

"She left me," the girl answered quietly. Sorrow and fear gripped her. She continued to look at him with courage, however. "Do you know where the shelter is? I'm lost."

He considered her small form. Her cheeks were splotched with dirt and her arms were like twigs. Her hair was blonde and entangled, to the point where Aaron wondered if it hurt. His heart ached at the sight of the poor thing.

'Dammit…'

Aaron wanted to sigh. He wanted to hit himself. Alas, he couldn't deny it. He couldn't ignore her. He had to extend a helping hand.

"Hey, kid." He kneeled down to her level. "What's your name?"

She seemed surprised by his sudden kindness. "...I'm Chloe."

He attempted a child-friendly smile. "I'm Aaron. How long have you been here?"

Her face scrunched up into confusion. "I've been staying close to the dumpster for a week, I think. It's a good hiding place."

'W-weeks? How did I not notice…?'

No, he DID notice. He just didn't care. All of a sudden, flashes of the little blonde girl begging for his help rammed into the emotional part of his brain. His heart ached. Guilt coursed through his veins. Aaron pursed his lips, wanting to smack the past version of himself, and he **** another smile.

"How about staying with me?" he suggested. "I'll make you some dinner. Does macaroni and cheese sound good to you?"

Her blue eyes shone with excitement. "Dinner? Yes!"

She was too young to give such an expression. Desperation, excitement, and a tinge of fear. He was a stranger, after all, and as an orphan wandering the streets she heard the whispers of what happened to kids who went with older men.

Aaron wanted to be the one to make a change. To be the beacon of hope for this lost orphan.