Small Things Count

The following scene, told from the point of view of a young girl, actually took place in a neighborhood supermarket pharmacy.  No one helped the girls.  Their father, worried that they were gone so long, went to the store to check on them.  He is the one who finally confronted store management.  He is the one who called police.  Why him? Why not someone else much sooner?)

I’M SO SCARED.  I heard that guy tell the pharmacist he’s 19.  Guess I look older than 12, ‘cuz he smiled at me.  At first I thought he was kinda cute.  But I don’t know him, so he shouldn’t have rubbed my back.   He’s touching me some more now and is saying bad things to me.  I yelled, “Stop it!  Leave me alone!”   Now my 6-year-old sister is crying.  I’m yelling louder.  People are all around me, but nobody’s doing anything.  Why won’t they help?  There are lots of people, lot of adults. Won’t they do something?  They’re just standing there.  I feel so alone.