People walking by barely looked at him. Some looked away on purpose. The elderly woman reached into her purse. "I don't have much." The young man shook his head.
"No, ma'am. Just have a good day." She touched his arm. "God bless you." He smiled before walking toward the small city park across the street.
Nia watched him for another moment. Kindness often revealed more about a person than appearances ever could. Inside the convenience store, she approached the cashier. "Who's the young man outside?" The cashier, Linda Foster, sighed.
"Marcus Holloway." "The homeless man?" Linda nodded. "Lost his construction job after the factory closed. Then his apartment.
Folks assume the worst because he sleeps at the church shelter." She lowered her voice. "But I've never caught him stealing a single thing." Nia looked back through the window. Marcus sat quietly on a park bench reading an old library book whose cover had nearly fallen apart.
He looked nothing like the dangerous drifter some people whispered about. A patrol cruiser rolled slowly past the park. Marcus immediately lowered his eyes. Nia noticed fear. Not guilt.
Fear born from experience. The cruiser stopped. Sergeant Travis Cole stepped out first. Even before speaking, his presence changed the atmosphere. Conversations faded.
People suddenly found reasons to leave. Store owners glanced through their windows but quickly looked away. Four more officers climbed from a second patrol SUV. Ryan Mercer, Eric Nolan, Dylan Hayes, Kevin Ross. They walked with the confidence of men who expected absolute obedience.
Travis adjusted his sunglasses before staring directly at Marcus. There he is. Ryan laughed. Our favorite citizen. Marcus stood slowly.
I haven't done anything. You always say that. I was just reading. Travis snatched the book from Marcus's hands. The worn paperback hit the sidewalk.
He looked down at it and smirked. You've got time to read? Without warning, he tossed the book into a muddy puddle beside the curb. Marcus instinctively stepped forward. My book.
Ryan shoved him backward. Stay where you are. Nia's jaw tightened. Everything about the encounter felt rehearsed. No questions.
No explanation. Only intimidation. Marcus raised both empty hands. Officer, please. Travis ignored him.