Sabine skipped ahead of Hera, her sneakers hitting the pavement lightly with the movement. She paused when she saw the store ahead.
"Hey, isn't that where Dad saw the kid?"
Hera gently pushed her forward.
"Yes it is. Come on, Zeb's not going to be happy if we keep him waiting any longer then necessary."
It had been three days since Kanan had first seen the boy. Since then, Hera had noticed whenever they went out, her adopted daughter was on the alert, as if waiting for a chance to spy the small pickpocket. Not that Hera could blame her. For some reason this mysterious child had also caught her attention. She couldn't help but wonder why the child had stolen off the man. Why didn't he take the entire amount instead of leaving some Of course Kanan claimed it was because of her motherly instinct that she felt this way and she had to agree. Even if she didn't know the child personally dosen't mean she couldn't worry about him a little bit.
She was pulled out her thoughts by Sabine's teasing voice.
"What happened to not keeping Zeb waiting? Come on!" The girl took off. Laughing, Hera took off after her.
They had almost reached the park where they were supposed to meet Zeb when she saw the teenager pause. Sabine took off again-but this time veered off to the left.
" 'Bine, where you going? Sabine!" Hera ran in the same direction the girl ran in. Was she playing a game?
She followed Sabine to an alley, where the girl halted at the entrance. Panting, Hera finally caught up and grabbed her shoulder.
"What are you doing? Why did….." She then noticed that the girl's eyes were drawn ahead. She followed where her gaze was focused.
A teen was sitting in the alley, back pressed against the wall. He had pulled up his pants leg to reveal his rapidly swelling ankle. He looked up when Hera's voice echoed through the alley. His eyes widened in surprise.
He quickly rose to his feet and tried to run in the opposite direction, only to fall again. He grabbed at his ankle. Pain flashed on his face.
Hera rushed forward to see what was wrong. The kid tried to scramble away at her approach. She paused. The last thing she wanted was to send him into a panic when she was just trying to help.
"It's okay, I'm not going to hurt you." She kept her voice soft.
"I just want to help." She knelt so she wasn't much higher than the boy, meeting his eyes.
"I'm Hera, and that's Sabine." She motioned to the girl behind her, who stepped closer and gave a small wave.
"What's your name?"
The boy stared at her. This close, she could see the mistrust and lingering fear in his eyes. He remained silent, and she wasn't about to push him, not while they were walking on glass. She changed the subject.
"Can I take a look at your ankle, I'll be quick." She moved closer, relieved when the boy stayed where he was, though his eyes were still wary.
As she felt his ankle she felt him tense. She pretended that it was because of the pain, but her sinking heart told her otherwise.
"I think it's sprained." She stood, then gently tugged the boy to his feet.
"Sabine, call Zeb and tell him to come pick us up."