It was boiling outside, as it had been for the past month. But that didn't matter right now; my sight started to blur as I tried to pass through the crowds of what I guessed was the market. 

   Luci and I had lived towards the edges of the Slums, so we had seen some parts of it, but being in the markets was a whole other story. 

   We were going to run away. 

   Where we would go, I didn't know, but anywhere that wasn't home would have been fine. But now, with her on my back and dirty looks from hundreds of strangers burning holes into me, I wasn't so sure anymore. 

   Home was scary. Hard to bear. 

   But here? 

   I'm not sure what to make of it. 

   But what I was sure about was that leaving shelter was probably a bad idea. 

   I don't even know where I am anymore, or how long I've been walking, really. Just shops and shops and a sea of people. My stomach churned, and my chest felt tight. What am I going to do?

   Luci coughed and murmured something against my upper back. I pressed my lips together and kept going, and I felt another bead of sweat roll down the side of my face. 

   As I neared another shop, its door swung open. A woman stared me down, a crease between her brows as she stood in front of me, paled. She must have seen us from the big windows at the front. She walked over and kneeled in front of me, and I froze. 

   "Are you alone, honey?" she asked me, hands on my shoulders as her gaze darted between me and my sister. I didn't move. She hesitated. "Where are your parents?" 

   "Home," I slurred. "I wanna go home." I didn't believe my own words as they tumbled out of my mouth, but they were true. Her eyes narrowed. I wonder how she's surviving under all those layers.

   "You don't look well," she muttered. "Do you know where your home is?" I shrugged. 

   "Slums."

   She paused, then nodded. 

   "Wait here for a moment, honey. Don't move." I only stared as she vanished back into the shop that was probably hers. I slid her off my back and fell to my knees. 

   "Who was that?" she asked me. I shrugged. 

   She came back a minute later with two cups in hand. 

   "I don't think I can help much with your sister, but I can try to lead you home," she muttered, handing us the cups. I stared down at it, then back at her. 

   "It's just water," she assured. I swallowed against a dry mouth. 

   I drank it slowly, careful against the nausea that gripped my stomach. It was lukewarm, but felt cool in my throat as I downed it. A small wave of dizziness ran through me, and I swiped at my jaw. 

   When was the last time I got to drink water like this?

   "Is it okay if I carry you?" she asked Lucía.

   "No." My voice shook as I stood between them and held her gaze. "No." She sighed, scanning my face. 

   "You look tired, honey, and you've gone pale. I promise you I'll stay right by you." I hesitated, then gave in and allowed her to scoop Lucía up. Her round blue eyes darted between the lady and me, curious, but calm.

   Admittedly, I felt better walking without having to carry her as we headed to the edges of the market and closer to the Slums. We walked until I could recognize where we were, and she handed back my sister.

   "What's your name?" I asked. She paused, then smiled. 

   "Mya," she said. "And you are?"

   "Adrian," I muttered, "And Lucía." I met her eyes, then looked away. "Thank you, Miss Mya."

   We were lucky to meet the lady this time, I told myself. 

   I watched her figure disappear, the folds of fabric of her clothes gently flapping in the wind after she nodded and left us on our way.

   I then made a mental note not to ever run away from home again.

❊