Slowly, Ethan lowered his backpack.
“I won’t hurt you,” he said gently. “I promise.”
The little girl studied him with a level of suspicion no child should ever possess.
“Are you going to make us leave?”
The question hit harder than any punch.
“No.”
His voice softened.
“What’s your name?”
After several seconds, she whispered:
“Emma.”
“And your sister?”
“Lily.”
The younger child hid her bread behind her back, afraid he might take it.
Ethan swallowed painfully.
He tried convincing himself they belonged to a nearby family.
