15

From a distance, Dahlia spotted a group of young men sitting under a shed. Her heart jumped into her throat as she quickened her pace, mentally reciting every word of caution she could remember. If only I had listened to Aunt Bella... She couldn’t help but think of all the warnings she'd brushed off.

Suddenly overcome with fear, she imagined the boys standing up and coming toward her. Panic took over...Dahlia kicked off her shoes, grabbed them in her hands, and took off running barefoot as fast as she could.

Just as Adrian parked his car under the tree in front of their house, he looked around the town and a soft smile spread across his face. A gentle calmness filled his chest. At that moment, the longing to see his parents again intensified deeply within him.