“Take her to the grate,” Saul urged in a low voice. “Otherwise, she might get lost.”

He was right; Mama would need my help to get out. “But how can I help my own mother leave?” I protested.

“I can guide her, if you want,” Saul offered.

I shook my head. “I have to do this myself.”

He put his hand on my arm. “I’m sorry, Sadie. I can’t even imagine how hard this is for you. I’ll be waiting here for you when you come back.” His words were little comfort.

Reluctantly, I followed my mother into the tunnel. She started toward the grate where I had first seen Ella. I took her arm to stop her. “This way,” I said, guiding her in the opposite direction. The grate near the river, where I had come out to find food, was the safer option.

As we started down the tunnel, doubts flooded me. Nothing about this plan made sense or was all right. There had to be another way. I wanted to argue once more. But Mama’s steps were dogged now, her jaw set with grim determination. She would not be dissuaded. I had no choice. I had to lead her safely to the street or she would try to find her own way—and she would never make it alone.

A few minutes later, we reached the basin. “The exit is on the far side,” I explained. I saw the doubt in her eyes, not just about being able to climb from the well, but about her entire plan to bring my sister to safety. I went first, then helped her down into the deep basin. We made our way across. On the far side, she handed me the baby and attempted to climb the wall to the ledge without success. I tried to help her while holding my sister, but I could not do it with one hand. I looked around and found a dry spot on the ground and placed the baby gently on it. I put my hands around Mama’s waist. She was featherlight as I lifted her and helped her up the wall and onto the ledge.

Then I picked up the baby once more. I leaned down to kiss my sister goodbye, a lone tear splashing against the soft, warm skin of her forehead. “I’m sorry,” I said. If only I had been stronger and could have done more to keep her with us.

“Quickly,” Mama said. I handed my sister up to her, feeling the warmth fade from my hands as I let go of her. I climbed up the wall of the basin to join them and we crawled through the last bit of pipe in silence.

When we reached the grate, the space above was deserted. “The grate will let you out on the riverbank and then you can walk across the bridge.” I faltered, knowing that our time together was quickly drawing to an end. “You must stay close to the buildings and take the backstreets and alleys.” I thought of the distance and the danger that stood before her. It would have been nearly impossible under normal circumstances. How would she ever manage it in her weakened state with a baby?