“Are you real?”

I was up those stairs before I knew I had moved, and I scooped her into my arms, and her small body was burning hot against me.

I made my voice as calm as I could, because she needed me calm.

“Where is your father, sweetie?” She looked down at her bare feet.

“He went to the beach,” she said.

“Who is here with you?” “Nobody.” My heart seemed to stop in my chest.