"So you went with her."
"I couldn't let her go alone, Mom. I wanted to call you so many times."
"Why didn't you?"
"I didn't know what else to do."
"Because I promised Maya I wouldn't tell anyone where we were." He swallowed. "She thought if anyone found us, they'd send her back."
"And today, when you saw me?"
"I was scared the police would find her."
I ran my hands over my hair. "Okay… okay. But what about that old man? He said you told him to tell you if anyone asked about the jacket."
"I promised Maya I wouldn't tell anyone where we were."
He looked down. "I thought… if someone ever recognized it… maybe they'd know I was alive."
I stared at him. "You wanted me to find you?"
He shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe. I promised Maya I wouldn't tell, but... I didn't want you to think I was gone forever. I never told her that I did that. She would've thought I'd betrayed her."
***
A few days later, the police found Maya. Once the officers spoke to her privately, the truth came out in full. An investigation was opened. Her stepfather was removed from the house, and Maya was placed in protective care.
For the first time in a long while, she was safe.
