“She said she was leaving immediately after school,” Daniel continued.
“And I went with her.”
Sarah completed his thought.
“Because you couldn’t let her face that alone.”
Daniel nodded, his eyes filling with tears.
“I couldn’t abandon her, Mom. She had nowhere safe to go.”
“Why didn’t you call me?” Sarah asked softly.
“I would have helped both of you.”
Daniel’s voice cracked with emotion.
“Because I promised Maya I wouldn’t tell anyone where we were hiding. She thought if someone found us, authorities would send her straight back to that house.”
“And today?” Sarah pressed gently.
“When you saw me at that abandoned house?”
“I panicked,” Daniel admitted.
“I was terrified the police would find Maya and force her to go back.”
