I stood in the middle of the yard, looking back and forth between the two men. One had disappeared behind the closed door, and the other was heading to the gate to open it up. This has to be a trick. If he planned on selling me, he wouldn’t just let me leave like this, surely. Maybe he’s calling my bluff?

Mom was no help; she still believed that I was wrong. How had we been found out anyway? I’d made sure to look normal as we made our way down the stairs. If anyone had seen us, ...