The voice came again, quieter this time. “I already told you… I have nothing left.” Altha hesitated. She shifted her weight, debating whether to step out of line. It wasn’t her business. She had somewhere to be. But something about the way the woman spoke — not loud, not dramatic, just… tired — made it feel real. Not like someone asking for attention.
Like someone who had run out of options. Altha glanced ahead at the line. Then back toward the pillar. She could still walk away. No one would expect her to get involved. But her feet moved before she could talk herself out of it. She stepped out of the queue and walked toward the voice.
As she got closer, she saw them. A young woman, holding a small child close to her chest, trying to keep her voice steady. For a moment, Altha just stood there. Then she spoke.