“I met him, I think. I went to her house to ask if she knew what had happened to you, and a man answered the door. He told me Maya was staying with her grandparents.”
Daniel shook his head. “He lied.”
I leaned back in my chair, stunned. “All this time… but why didn’t she tell a teacher? And what does that have to do with you running away?”
“She didn’t think anyone would believe her, and I… I didn’t know what else to do.” Daniel’s face tightened with emotion. “She came to school that day with a bag already packed. She said she was leaving that afternoon. I tried convincing her not to go, but she wouldn’t listen.”
“So you went with her.”
“I couldn’t let her go alone, Mom. I thought about calling you so many times.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“Because I promised Maya I wouldn’t tell anyone where we were.” He swallowed hard. “She believed that if anyone found us, they’d send her right back.”
“And today, when you saw me?”
“I was afraid the police would find her.”
I ran my fingers through my hair, trying to process everything. “Okay… okay. But what about the old man? He said you told him to inform you if someone ever asked about the jacket.”
Daniel lowered his eyes. “I thought… if someone recognized it… maybe they’d realize I was still alive.”
I stared at him in disbelief. “You wanted me to find you?”
He shrugged slightly. “I don’t know. Maybe. I promised Maya I wouldn’t reveal where we were, but… I didn’t want you to believe I was gone forever. I never told her about the jacket. She would’ve thought I betrayed her.”
A few days later, the police located Maya. After officers spoke with her privately, the full truth emerged. An investigation began. Her stepfather was removed from the home, and Maya was placed in protective care.
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