After taking a number of detours to avoid getting detected, Andrea and Gem arrived at the group home. Luckily, no cop was patrolling the small backstreet and the night sky was keeping them somewhat covered. 

  “You go, I’ll wait here!” Gem said and gestured to Andrea to continue forward.

  Andrea walked up to the front door and knocked twice. She heard footsteps approaching from the inside and got a feeling that somebody was watching her through the peephole. The person on the other side fumbled with the security locks for a bit but eventually managed to open the door.

  “Quick! Get inside,” a familiar face, Ms. Miller said. 

  The middle aged woman inspected Andrea for a moment and then put both her hands on Andrea's shoulders.

  “I’m glad that you came. How are you?” Ms. Miller asked.

  “I’m fine. And you? Victor?”

  “We’re all good. No need to worr-, have you been drinking?” Ms. Miller interrupted herself as soon as she saw the signs and put on a serious face. 

  “Yeah a little, before the announcement thing. I didn’t know-.” Andrea tried to avoid Ms. Miller’s piercing eyes and felt a sudden need to scratch her head. 

  “Don’t stress about it.” Ms. Miller patted Andrea on the shoulder as she saw the young woman looking increasingly uncomfortable. She had known Andrea long enough to know that the girl wasn’t a hazard when being a little drunk. Nevertheless, it wasn’t something Ms. Miller approved of nor was smoking. “Victor! There’s someone here to see you!” She then called out using all of her core. 

  Victor took his time to walk out of the boys’ bedroom. It was first when he saw who their guest was, that he started to speed up into a jog.

  “What are you doing here mom?” Victor asked with eyes wide open, jumping up and down.

  “I’m here to see you,” Andrea said as she hugged her son and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Could we have a moment, please?” Andrea turned to Ms. Miller for approval. 

  “Of course,” the woman replied a little bit bewildered, but since she had lots of work to do she didn't see any reason not to start with her tasks. 

  Andrea knew that this was their chance to get going. However, she couldn’t help but to hesitate. The staff at the group home had been nothing but kind and supportive towards both Victor and her. Leaving with Victor would mean leaving every other person behind. This is the only way, Andrea tried to convince herself.  Besides, you can barely help yourself. How do you expect to save someone else?

  “Victor, I can’t explain everything now. But you have to come with me now,” Andrea said in a calm voice despite feeling the opposite.

  “Why?” Her son asked.

  “Do you trust me?”

  Victor nodded.

  “Yeah, but I’m not allowed to-”

  “Ha, I didn’t know that you were such a good boy,” Andrea teased since her son had a knack for getting in trouble and not necessarily always followed the rules.

  Victor made a silly angry face in response. 

  “Okay, we gotta go now. I’ll explain more later.” Andrea grabbed Victor’s hand and with a heavy conscience opened the door.