Offer her some candy

You remember the sweets you got in the mall. Children usually like sweets and you can use them to build some trust. And since this poor girl is ready to defend a rock-hard piece of bread with her life, she would clearly not say no to a hand full of tasty sweets.

“Hey little one, look what I have,” you say friendly and show her some of the sweets, “your bread looks terrible hard and tasteless. Wouldn’t you prefer something more tasty. Here. They are all for you.”

The girl looks at you and you are not sure what she thinks. Her face is hard to read. When she finally puts the hard leaf of bread on a nearby cardboard box, you think she accepted your offer. But you are in for a surprise.

“Do you think I’m stupid?” the girl asks and grids her teeth, “you think you are the first one in this area who tries to lure kids in a trap with sweets? Are they ****? I eat one and suddenly I’m addicted to some shit. The guys in the community center warned us about people like you. You better take your shit and run before I stab you.”

“I’m not a kidnapper,” you say and try to calm her, “and these are not ****. I only wanted to offer you …”

You don’t get any further. The girl loses her mind and jumps at you with an angry scream. Her rusty knife only misses you because you fall back in shock. Immediately she attacks again and aims for your closest leg. You can barely get away in time. As quickly as possible you jump up and run. The girl is right behind you, but you are bigger and faster. When you are out of the backyard, the girl stops. She is not pursuing you. she gives you a last murderous look before going back to her bread.

You take a few deep breaths. Your heart still beats fast. This was not what you hoped for. Now the poor girl thinks you are some kind of criminal who targets children. You just wanted to help her. But standing here in sadness gets you nowhere. You need to look forward and get to the bus stop. The little one has somehow to take care for herself. At least she is not defenseless. Maybe she will make it somehow. But you don’t get your hopes too high.