She did not stop. She must not stop. And then, a hard grip on her arm, bruising her. She felt herself being forced to turn, and was met with an ugly sneer and glaring eyes.

“Been tryin’ to thieve me, eh? I’ll teach ye to steal from me….”

Her brown eyes were wide with fright. She knew she must fight back, but was seized with immobility. A fist flew into her temple, and she fell to the wet ground. He hovered above her again, grabbing her collar. She closed her eyes. And then, a smash, and splinters of wood rained on her. A thud as a body hit the ground.

Not hers. She had been saved from a maiming. She looked up and saw another figure, much smaller, hand extended.

“Come on. Up.” came a high voice through the rain. She obeyed, and upon standing found the figure to be her height. She stood, mouth open, but could not think of what to say. The woman stranger smirked, stooped, and held out the purse. “Next time, don’t let it slip.”

She looked down at the purse, and then back at the stranger. But she was gone.