They heard the young girl's screams, br filled with panic and fear, br but the city dwellers br kept their windows br shuttered and dark br so they would not see. br br The shadows, those who drifted br from alley to doorway, br and watched in silent joy br the picture of someone br besides themselves in pain, br laughed in horrific glee. br br As the knife plunged br deeply into her breast, br and life left the girl at last, br the shadows went on their way, br pleased that the night had br claimed another innocent one. br br No one cried br but her mother, br and her tears were only br tears of violent anger br and frustration br at her situation in life.