“Nate? You’re Nate, right?” Becca said calmly, summoning all her courage. The entire group swiveled around, staring at Becca with wide mistrustful eyes. She ignored them, devoting all her attention to Nate. Her gaze lingered on his arm where the tattoo would be, a bandage wrapped around it, blood seeping through his long-sleeved T-shirt.

“You remember me, don’t you? I’m Becca Ortiz, Ash’s foster mother, and I work with the LAPD. We met once before. I know you remember. I’m looking for Ash. Is she here? Have you seen her?”

Nate darted anxious glances at the woman Becca believed was calling the shots. “Nate, I need to find Ash. Please tell me where she is,” Becca pleaded. Nate’s eyes flitted from Becca and back to the woman. “Nate, we can help each other.”

For a second, Becca thought she got through. Nate took a step forward. As if on cue, three of the other kids surrounded him, completely obscuring Nate from Becca’s view. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the big guy with the tats coming at her, his entire body tensed, his meaty hands clenched in fists. The “crazy bitch” stopped him with a gentle whisper Becca couldn’t quite decipher. Her eyes were drawn to their matching human eye tattoos. Just like the girl on the beach. Just like Ash.

“Vic does excellent work, doesn’t he?” Mo said, her voice heavy with pride, holding up her arm so Becca could get a closer look. “You see, the dagger here represents the challenges in the world, worry, fear, and our determination to slice through all of that and find our pure truth. The eye reminds us all we’re watching out for one another. It’s quite profound, don’t you think?”

Becca didn’t answer, scanning the tents for any sign of Ash. “Sounds like a bunch of bullshit to me,” Raya said. Becca swiveled around and saw Raya behind her. “Raya, I told you to go,” Becca whispered, trying to keep the anger out of her voice.

Raya shrugged. “I ain’t leaving you alone with these crazy fuckers,” she said softly.

“I prefer Mo to crazy fucker,” the grinning woman said. Her smile was almost punishing in its intensity. Becca wagered that wasn’t her real name. “And Raya, is it? We really should learn to mind our manners.”

Raya opened her mouth to say something. “Not another word,” Becca snapped, shielding Raya from Mo.

“I know my daughter was dating Nate. She’s been gone almost two days. I need to find her,” Becca said again.

“I’m afraid we haven’t seen her. Isn’t that right, Nate?” The others stepped aside, waiting for Nate to answer. He regarded Becca with empty, hollow eyes.

“Nate, please, if you know where she is…”