I was quiet for a little while as we walked and some of the grown ups looked at us as we passed by, some gave us a bit of space, as if they expected us to bite, and I knew we were the only kids out at this time, but I also didn't understand why that was so unusual. I had learned the school schedule, I knew it was summer, and I would have thought lots of kids would have taken the opportunity to stay out late.

But then I realized, those other children had parents. People to make sure they came home and ate dinner and went to bed.

"What were your parents like?" I asked suddenly. I could barely remember mine, but I liked hearing about others. Just because Beverly was in the Home now didn't mean she would have always been. Maybe her home before Darrow had been like all the other kids who were now safe in bed.