I Found My Neighbor’s Twin Toddlers Hiding in My Empty Trash Can—Then Their Mother Told Me Why They Had Been Sent to Find Me

“He’s trying the handle.”

“Stay away from it.”

Under the table, Chloe began making a thin, frightened sound.

I lowered myself beside the doorway so she could see me without leaving her sister.

“You can stay with Maya,” I told her.

“I’m here.”

Outside, Derek called my name again.

I wanted to ask how he knew it.