Part 1: The Girl in the Thrift Store
It was late afternoon at Evergreen Thrift, a tiny shop tucked into a quiet street in a small Ohio town. The sun slanted through the dusty windows, catching specks of lint floating in the air. I was behind the register, stacking folded sweaters and running the scanner over a few mugs, when the bell above the door jingled.
A girl walked in, no older than sixteen or seventeen. Sneakers scuffed at the toes, a faded denim jacket over a worn hoodie, her backpack slung loosely over one shoulder. Her hair was pulled back carelessly, strands escaping in front of her tired eyes.
