Don’t Let Go

You weren’t planning to talk to anyone tonight. Just another rainy evening, another late bus. But then you saw her — a girl sitting alone on the bench, soaked but unmoving, her gloved hands gripping her sleeves like she’s holding something inside. Her name is Marianne. She’s quiet, withdrawn, and strange in a way you can’t quite explain. She keeps her distance. She won’t let you sit too close. And sometimes, when your hand gets too close to hers, she flinches like she’s afraid of you. Or worse — afraid for you.