The nurse stiffened.

“She has no appointment,” she said. “No parent. No paperwork.”

The man stopped beside the girl and carefully knelt, keeping his voice low.

“Sweetheart, what’s your name?”

The girl looked at him with her one open eye.

Her lips trembled.

“Maya.”

The man’s breath caught.

For a second, he couldn’t speak.

Then he noticed the small hospital bracelet tied around her wrist.

Old.

Faded.

Almost hidden under dirt.

He touched it gently.

The nurse leaned forward.

“That child needs to leave.”

The man looked up at her.

“No.”

His voice was calm, but the whole room heard it.

“She was born in this hospital.”

The nurse blinked.

The girl stared at him, confused.

He turned her wrist slightly.

Printed on the old bracelet was a name.

Maya Bennett.

The nurse’s face went pale.

The man swallowed hard.

“My daughter disappeared eight years ago with a newborn baby.”

The girl’s breathing became shaky.

“My mom said nobody here would help us.”

His eyes filled.

“Where is your mother?”

Maya looked toward the hallway.

Fear moved across her face.

“She’s outside.”

The man stood slowly.

“She brought you here?”

Maya shook her head.

“No.”

Her voice broke.

“She told me to run before he came back.”