Lily sat cross-legged on the floor next to a broken window, her backpack beside her. And across from her, sitting on an overturned crate, was an older man.
He looked to be in his 60s, maybe older. Gray beard, clothes that had seen better days, and eyes that crinkled at the corners as he talked. He was holding something in his hands, showing it to Lily.
“LILY!” I shrieked.
The man jumped to his feet so fast the crate toppled over. Lily’s head whipped around, her eyes going wide.
“Mom!”
I ran to her, grabbed her shoulders, pulled her behind me. “Who the hell are you? What are you doing with my daughter?”
“Please, ma’am, please don’t be scared.” The man held up his hands, backing away. “I didn’t mean any harm. I swear to you…”
“Mom, stop!” Lily was crying now, trying to pull away from me. “You don’t understand! He’s Dad’s friend!”
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