The blazing sun beat down hard on the crowded pavement near downtown Dallas, Texas. Heat radiated off the thick black asphalt, making the humid afternoon air feel heavy and suffocating to everyone walking by. Eleven-year-old Lily stood near a wooden post that held up a framed American flag display, her hands sweating against the foam handles of her crutches. Her right leg was wrapped in a heavy, bright white fiberglass cast from her ankle to just below her knee, keeping her completely stuck in place.
Bully 1: Look at you, just standing there like a broken toy.
Lily: Please, just go away. My dad is coming right back.
Bully 2: Sure he is, kid. He probably left you here because you're too slow to keep up with anyone.
Lily swallowed hard, tears welling up in her soft eyes as the three older teenagers circled her on the sidewalk. They snickered loudly, kicking the dry dirt near her good foot and shoving her closer and closer to the concrete curb. People walked right past them, heads down, pretending not to notice the young girl struggling to maintain her balance on her foam crutches.
Bully 3: What are you gonna do if I knock one of those sticks out from under your arms?
Lily: Don't touch my crutches! Leave me alone!
Bully 1: Nobody is looking, gimpy. You're completely on your own out here today.
Lily lowered her head, a warm tear slipping down her pale cheek as her strength started to fade. The noise of the street festival roared all around them, but to Lily, the entire world felt painfully quiet and terrifying. She squeezed her eyes closed, wishing her father would hurry up before these cruel boys pushed her down onto the hot pavement. She felt completely helpless, holding onto the wooden flag post just to stay standing upright.
Bully 2: Say something else, kid! Cry for us!
Lily: THEY SAID NO ONE WOULD HELP ME!
Her desperate shout echoed across the busy sidewalk, cutting right over the loud noise of the festival crowd. Just then, a deep, thunderous rumble of heavy motorcycle engines vibrated through the ground, shaking the very pavement under their feet. A group of tough American bikers dressed in dark leather vests pulled up right along the curb. The three teenagers instantly froze in place, their ugly smirks vanishing instantly as the loud engine roars suddenly cut out.