The ride from the amusement park was quiet. The excitement from earlier had settled into a soft silence. Maya sat in the back seat beside Anika, gently holding the teddy bear they had won together. Elias drove with one hand on the wheel, his eyes occasionally checking the rearview mirror to see how they were doing. The sky outside was starting to darken, casting a golden glow over the streets.

Anika leaned her head against Maya’s arm. She had been quiet since they left the park, but not in a sad way—more like she was thinking deeply about something.

“Did you have fun today?” Maya finally asked, her voice gentle....