ing as she clung to her aunt Peige's apron. Her cracke

please, just help my siblings. Don

you think feeding, clothing, and housing all

to. Tears never worked on Peige. "I'll work to pay you back," s

er arms. "Anything, huh

clung to her skin even though her room was freezing. She rubbed her eyes, trying to shake off the nightmare.

ned. "No

over the toaster, guilty expressions written all over their faces. Jason, the

before the New Year?" Dawn teased,

ng to make breakfast, but uh... looks

d in, "but clearly, we're not good a

augh. "You two can experiment on bre

lf a jug of milk. One egg. Sighing, she

she asked ove

on said, already ed

iends!" Leslie announced

row. "You mean we're

do things together

u to ask for per

two are twins. T

ked. "There

Yeah, we don't e

Tell that to the neighbor who ca

ngest was curled under her blanket, her small face peaceful. Dawn's lips softe

k. She already

-face with Mr. Harrow, their landl

lins," he said. "It's December. The ov

pleaded, gripping the doorfra

said, flatly. "Afte

closed the door and pressed her forehead against it, her breat

ing,

tairs, grinning, her curls a mess. Dawn forc

or New Year?" Amy asked, pouting. "Al

e next year, sweetheart," she said soft

we don't have

f hair from Amy's face. "It's not about money, baby. It's about... ma

nodded. "Okay. But can we at

d her into a hug. "Th

laughter echoing down the hall. Daw

answered, he

warmly. "You sound t

," Dawn admitted. "

me to

She sighed. "Sorry. I just... I can't keep dep

ly, "You've already done enough, Dawn.

ed, glancing toward Amy's

efore her voi

*

pital halls, the hum of fluorescent ligh

st's desk. "Can I see the d

ncerned. "Is something

is throat felt ti

rhythm of machines filled the silence. She looke

her cool skin. "I'm scared, Ava," he whispered. "You always

I can't even sleep without h

m not tired of waiting for you," he said soft

a piercing beep. Adam's heart

a?

anic taking over. "Doc

hallway - raw, desperate, b