Sarah ran her hands through her hair, processing everything.
“What about the jacket?” she asked.
“Why did you give it to that man and tell him to watch for questions?”
Daniel shrugged slightly, looking embarrassed.
“I thought maybe if someone recognized it, they would know I was still alive. That I hadn’t just vanished forever.”
“You wanted me to find you?” Sarah asked, her voice breaking.
“I didn’t want you thinking I was gone forever,” Daniel said quietly.
“I just needed Maya to be safe first.”
A few days later, police located Maya in a shelter two towns away.
After speaking with her privately and hearing her complete story, officials opened an immediate investigation.
Her stepfather was removed from the home, and Maya was placed with a safe foster family.
For the first time in a very long time, Maya could breathe without fear.
Several weeks later, Sarah stood in her living room doorway watching Daniel and Maya sitting together on the couch.
