The flashing red lights from the fire trucks still painted streaks across the pavement as firefighters packed up their hoses. The air carried a faint scent of smoke and melted fabric the smell of everything Maya had built, now scarred by flames. She stood near the entrance, wrapped in her mother’s shawl, still trembling slightly, though she tried to hide it.

Elias finished talking to one of the firefighters near the cordoned area and walked back toward them. His shirt was slightly smudged, his sleeves rolled up, and his eyes held that sharp, focused look that came whenever something concerned Maya. The moment she saw him, her shoulders relaxed just...