Aurora’s POV
The long walk back to our apartment felt heavy and dark.
Every step made my tired legs ache, but the panic rising in my chest hurt even more. Next to me, Mrs. Lillian kept wiping her red eyes with her old wool scarf. Nobody on the street said hello as we walked past.
Everyone in Greyport knew the harbor was going to close, and everyone knew our lives were ruined.
When we reached our old wooden building, I dragged myself up the creaky stairs. I stopped right outside our green door, took three deep breaths, and slapped a big, fake smile onto my face.
I could not let the twins see how terrified I was. They were only five years old, and they did not need to carry the heavy worries of grown-ups.
I unlocked the heavy latch and pushed the door open.
"Mommy's home!" Maya sque
