SOFIA:The road stretches endlessly ahead of us, dark and quiet except for the steady hum of the engine. I sit in the passenger seat, hands folded tightly in my lap, trying to keep my breathing even. The kids are in the back, finally asleep after hours of fear and questions, their small chests rising and falling in sync.

Carlos drives without speaking, his focus fixed on the road. The tension in him is constant like a wire pulled too tight. Every few minutes, I glance at the rearview mirror ...