HAZEL safely got home.
The minute she stepped into the living room, Gabriel and Gaddiel— who had been sitting cross-legged on the couch watching a cartoon— snapped their heads toward the door.
“Hazel!” Gaddiel cried out first, jumping to his feet.
They both ran to her at once.
“Where have you been?” Gabriel asked, grabbing her hand. “Mommy has been looking everywhere for you.”
“Yes!” Gaddiel added quickly. “She was shouting. She is worried. Where did you go?”
Hazel dropped her bag by the door and pulled both boys into a tight hug. She squeezed them harder than usual, her chin resting briefly on Gabriel’s head. She inhaled deeply, her chest rising and falling.
But she said nothing.
The boys pulled back slightly, studying her face.
“Why are your eyes red?” Gabriel asked.
Hazel hiss
