I caught a shivering boy stealing bread. As I grabbed his arm, he sobbed, “Please don’t call the police, my brothers are starving and mom hasn’t woken up in two days.” skeptical, I followed him to his rundown apartment. When I pushed the bedroom door open, my heart froze…

space. Sitting in it, pale, frail, but possessing a glare that could melt steel, was Isabella. Beside her walked Lucia, holding my sister’s hand tightly.

Julian stumbled backward, knocking his chair to the floor. He looked as if he had just seen a ghost. Because, as far as he was concerned, he had.

“I… I can explain,” Julian stammered, his eyes darting continue reading …