A piercing screech of brakes echoed through the venue, making everyone freeze. The sudden stop threw Sophia against her seat, her whole body jarring from the impact, her head spinning. Still gripping the steering wheel, she stared in shock at the person who suddenly appeared in front of the car. Once she steadied herself, she quickly unbuckled her seat belt and stepped out of the vehicle.

The person she had almost hit was a homeless man and his overloaded arms blocked his view. ...