My heart is going to give out. It’s just going to die. The building expands in size. It’s the size of the entire planet, and I’m never going to find her. What will they say about me, if this gets out? That I couldn’t keep track of my child in Disneyland? That I didn’t have my eyes on her every second? I only looked away for a second. That man called my name.

I look in every alcove we pass. It feels like there are thousands. Screaming would only scare her, but if I don’t find her, if someone has taken her, I’m never going to stop.

“Paige,” Mateo says, and his voice sounds different. Like he’s addressing her directly.

“Where?” I wheeze. He’s facing away from me. I don’t see her. I don’t see her.

And then I do. Her shoes, down below one of the movie screens.

Mateo leans around behind it. Her shoes turn to the side, and she steps into view a second later. I put my hands on her face, on her shoulders.

“Paige,” I begin. “Paige.” I can’t explain the rush of fear. I can’t explain why my hands are shaking. I can’t begin to tell her how she can never do this again. Never. Or my heart will explode. Her blue eyes are wide and probably as terrified as mine are.

Mateo kneels down to get on her level and takes her hand. “Paige, when we didn’t know where you were, it scared us. It scared your mom. It made her so afraid that it hurts.” I don’t know how he knew to describe it like that. It’s accurate. It hurts like I’m having a heart attack. It hurts like someone has tried to pull my arms off my body. Breathing hurts. “It’s really, really important that you stay with us, no matter what.”

“I don’t want to leave,” she whispers. “I want to stay.”

“Of course you do,” says Mateo. “Nobody ever wants to leave Disneyland. But we can talk about that with you. You don’t have to hide.”

Paige’s chin quivers. She steals a glance at me, and then she rushes into my arms, throwing her arms around my waist. My knees feel wobbly, so I get down on one knee and hug her closer. The security guards have formed a little circle around us.

“I’m sorry, Mommy,” Paige says. “I’m sorry I scared you.”

“I’m okay now,” I promise her, but it’s not true. I’m trying to live an honest life. I’m trying not to hide behind lies. “I’m going to be okay.”

Chapter Seventeen

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Mateo Garza