SCHOOL PRINCIPAL NOTICED A 9-YEAR-OLD GIRL TAKING LEFTOVERS FROM THE SCHOOL CAFETERIA EVERY DAY AND DECIDED TO FOLLOW HER

“What if I’m overreacting?”

“What if you’re not?” she countered.

That was all it took. She reached across the table, squeezing his hand gently.

“Mia’s just a kid,” she said. “If something’s wrong, she might not know how to ask for help. But you’re good at noticing the ones who need it.”

The warmth of her touch, the certainty in her voice… it settled something in him. Tomorrow, he would follow Mia. And he would find out the truth.

As the final bell rang and the students streamed through the school doors, Mr. Lewis kept his distance, watching as Mia walked toward the road. But instead of heading home, she took a different path, one that led away from her neighborhood.

A knot formed in his stomach.

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