02/09/2025
MAN FINDS A SMASHED PHONE ON THE ROADSIDE β WHEN HE INSERTS THE SIM CARD INTO HIS OWN PHONE AND CALLS ""DAUGHTER,"" HE RUSHES TO HELP.
This morning was like any other for 30-year-old Alan. He walked to the bakery to get fresh rolls for his mom. But as he walked down the street, an old, broken phone, battered like it had been run over by a car, caught his eye.
Alan, a programmer with a love for tech, picked it up, thinking he could maybe fix it later. He didn't think much of it and tucked it in his pocket. After breakfast, he inserted the SIM card into his own phone and, out of curiosity, dialed the only number saved: ""Daughter.""
""Mom!"" the childβs voice said. ""Is that you?""
Alan's heart skipped a beat. ""I'm not your mom,"" he said, confused. ""Who is this?""
The voice sounded disappointed but then replied, ""Where's Mom?""
Alan, unsure what to do, stuttered, ""I don't know. I found a broken phone, switched the SIM, and called. Who are you?""
The child, a little girl, seemed to get more upset. ""My mom went to the store yesterday and didn't come back.""
Alan's chest tightened. ""What's your name? Where's your dad? Or your grandma?""
The child's voice cracked as she answered, ""I'm Julie. I don't have a dad or a grandma. I only have my mom.""
""Julie, do you know where you live?""
""Independence Street, building seven, apartment 18.""
Alan's heart pounded. ""Julie, can you tell me β are you okay? Is there anyone there with you?""
Julie's response hit him hard: ""I'm alone. My legs don't work, so I can't go anywhere.""
The confusion in Alan's mind deepened. ""Wait, Julie, your legs don't work? How have you been getting around?""
""I use a wheelchair. But there's no one here to help me,"" Julie's voice trembled.
Alan's protective instincts kicked in.
""Julie, I need you to listen to me carefully. I'm coming to get you, okay?""
When Alan arrived at little Julie's address, the door opened, revealing a tiny, frail girl sitting in a wheelchair. She looked up at him with tired, wide eyes, her face full of sadness.
""Will you find my mom?"" Julie asked softly with tears in her eyes.
Alan understood that the journey ahead would uncover truths he wasn't ready to face, but it was too late to turn back now. β¬οΈ