Chapter 17

Lauren's POV

Elena just gave me a small nod, then slowly pushed her blanket aside and slipped out of bed, her little feet touching the cool floor. My chest tightened watching her – so small, so innocent, and yet about to be pulled into something she didn’t ask for.

I got up, my fingers trembling slightly as I opened her small wardrobe and started packing her essentials. Her favorite pajamas, the little yellow dress she loved to twirl in, some leggings, and sweaters – because nights could get cold wherever we ended up. I folded them carefully, almost as if each piece of cloth carried my hope to keep her life feeling normal, despite everything falling apart.

Then I packed her school bag – her books, her pencils, and her colored pens that she used to draw those pictures that broke my heart earlier. Even if we were leaving, I wanted to keep her routine as stable as possible. She would still go to school, she would still draw, laugh, and live like every