Chapter 1

When I came out of the restroom at the rest stop, I saw my brother, Joe Thompson, and my sister, Lyra Thompson, getting into the car. I rushed after them, but before I could reach it, the car started and drove away.

I ran after it in a panic, shouting, "Dad! Mom! I am still outside!"

The car took a turn and merged into traffic, disappearing from sight in the blink of an eye.

I stared in the direction where it vanished. My lips trembled as I whispered, "Dad, Mom, I am still here…"

The words were as faint as a wisp of smoke. They barely left my mouth before the biting cold wind tore them apart and scattered them across the empty rest stop.

In the next instant, the last trace of shock and protest in my chest was smothered by a cold numbness.

I slowly withdrew my gaze and looked around. The massive rest stop was terrifyingly quiet. Under the dim yellow streetlights, the sky looked washed out and pale, with not a single person in sight.

In the distance, cars roared past on the highway. Headlights stretched into blurred streaks of light, but not one car stopped for me.

I didn't dare wander off. My feet felt rooted to the ground, as if filled with lead, and I clung to a fragile sliver of hope.

Maybe Mom and Dad hadn't gone far. Maybe they would realize I wasn't in the car and come right back for me.

I clenched the hem of my clothes and stared at the intersection where the car had disappeared, wishing over and over for that familiar white sedan to reappear.

It grew colder. The chill seeped into my bones, freezing me from the inside out.

My toes were numb, slowly losing all sensation.

My cheeks were red and aching from the wind. Tears gathered in my eyes, but I wouldn't let them fall.

I knew that even if I cried, no one would come to comfort me.

Unable to endure the cutting wind any longer, I turned and shuffled back toward the restroom. At least it could block the wind better than the open air.

Inside the silent restroom, the only sounds were my faint breathing and the howling wind outside.

All the grievances I had forced myself to ignore surged up like a rising tide and swallowed me whole.

I remembered when the whole family forgot my birthday last year.

Mom didn't remember until she saw the calendar three days later. She quickly made me a simple egg sandwich and added a small piece of cheese. "This is to make up for your birthday. Hurry and eat," she said, still watching the TV.

When Joe had his birthday, the whole family went to his favorite amusement park. His custom cake even had the words "Our Pride" written on it.

Lyra had an even grander celebration. Her entire kindergarten class was invited, and the gifts piled up like a small mountain.

Growing up, Joe was celebrated for his brilliance, hailed as the family's future pillar, while Lyra was adored as the heart of our happiness.

And me?

"Danny is very well behaved and never causes trouble."

That was my label, like a faint pattern on wallpaper. It existed, but no one ever really noticed it.

I had no idea how long I sat there in the restroom. The warmth in my body slowly faded, and the cold crept back in.

Just as I was about to lose consciousness from the cold, I heard soft footsteps outside the door.

My heart jolted. I instantly forced myself awake and looked up, my eyes locked on the doorway. Was it Mom and Dad?

Had they finally realized I was missing and come back for me?

The door creaked open, but the one who walked in was a stranger in a thick down coat.

The light in my eyes dimmed at once, and a faint, self-mocking smile tugged at my lips. I had overthought it again.

When the man saw me, he froze in surprise.