“Marnie,” he said.

“You still haven’t touched your tea.” Kai appeared behind me, his backpack already on both shoulders.

“Mom, my head really hurts,” he said, tugging my sleeve.

“Can we please go home?” Dario took a step toward us.

“Kai.

Come here.

Now.” I put my son behind me, took his hand, and ran.

Chapter 6 — Run