I kept the little ring, unsure why the girl had given it to me. Eventually, I threaded it onto a chain and wore it around my neck. Life continued, and months passed without any news of her. Sometimes I wondered whether she had found somewhere safe to stay, but I had no way of contacting her. I could only hope that the small kindness I had offered that night had helped her survive.

Nearly a year later, my own life fell apart. I discovered I was pregnant, and the man I loved abandoned me when I needed him most. Worse, I was accused of betraying him, despite knowing I had done nothing wrong. My family offered little support, and I soon found myself alone, frightened, and struggling to imagine a future for myself and my unborn child. With almost no money left, I checked into a rundown motel, carrying my belongings and the same plastic ring around my neck.