Gavin had just returned to the sitting room after leaving Alina by Grandma Linda’s door. He glanced around the room before heading to the couch. Just as he was about to sit down, he heard footsteps echoed from the hallway behind him.

He looked up to see Mandy was approaching the staircase, moving slowly, clearly lost in thought until her eyes found his.

“You didn’t go in after all?” she asked, stopping at the foot of the stairs and turning slightly to face him.

Gavin gave a ...