A young widow picked up a backpack discarded from a sleek SUV at the dump…

But then, sirens wailed outside. The police had arrived. Someone must have heard the noise and called the sheriff, and the criminals were quickly apprehended.

Beaten and trembling from the ordeal, Emily could only thank God that she and her son were unharmed. Tears of relief streamed down her face. Deputy Larson helped her to her feet, draping his uniform jacket over her shoulders with care.

He barely contained his anger as he looked at the battered woman. “It’s okay now, you’re safe,” he said in a gruff voice. “Your Tommy’s a real hero. He ran to us and raised the alarm. You’re both safe now.”

Emily nodded, unable to believe the terrifying night was over.

Morning finally came. After the thugs were taken away and the police filed their reports, Emily sat on a stool by her gate, wrapped in a scarf. The pale sun rose over the small town.

A paramedic bandaged her split eyebrow, while Tommy perched on the porch steps, warming his hands on a mug of hot tea. His lips still trembled from the night’s terror, but he beamed with pride for his bravery. He stayed close to his mother.

“Mom?” he called softly. “What happens now? Are we gonna be poor again?” His lips quivered. He remembered briefly believing in a fairy tale, only for it to crumble.

Emily pulled her son close and hugged him. Her heart overflowed with gratitude that God had protected what mattered most. “We’ll live honestly, sweetheart. Poverty’s not the end,” she said gently, kissing his dark hair.

“Money comes and goes. What matters is we’re okay.” At that moment, the deputy approached.

He’d just finished a phone call and now smiled at the mother and son. “Got some news, Emily,” he said warmly. “You two are heroes. Those were stolen funds, and they were being tracked. You helped us take down a whole gang, can you believe it?”

Emily flushed. “Really? I… I didn’t do anything. Just caused trouble,” she mumbled, adjusting the bandage slipping over her forehead…