I was equally positive that she was fortunate that these were the people she’d been entrusted to. She wasn’t their child, but they were going to protect her and comfort her as though she were. She was so lucky to have them. Maybe “lucky” wasn’t the right word, though. Nothing here, nobody here would think this was lucky. But at least, through all of this, she had somebody.

“How old are you, Beth?” Lulu asked.

“Eighteen. I’m in first-year university. That’s why I couldn’t be down here with my family.”

I explained to them about my family’s holiday tradition, about my swim meet and why I’d decided to stay back in New York. I didn’t say anything about my father, but I’d seen Seth pull them aside to speak to them before we left, and I was pretty sure he’d told them. I had a feeling that he’d also asked if they could keep an eye on me. I didn’t mind that, either. Funny how, not so long ago, I’d wanted so badly to prove to my parents how independent I could be, and now here I was latching on to anyone who could offer me the least bit of help and support.

“We were wondering,” Ryan said, “if you’d mind staying with us. That way, we could all search together. We’ll try to find the family of the baby, and you can try to find your family. It might go better if we all work together as a team.”

“It would really help us,” Lulu said, “to have another set of hands. I don’t know very much about children.”

“I don’t think you really need my help,” I told them, “but I’d sure appreciate it if I could stay with you.”

“Then we have a plan. Thanks for helping us find Blondie’s family.”

The SUV came to a stop in front of a small brown building made of wood.

“This is the hospital,” the driver announced.

“Doesn’t look like much,” Ryan said.

I had to agree. It looked more like a small, cheap motel than a hospital, except that all along the path leading up to it were people sitting on chairs, slumped on the ground, or lying on makeshift beds. They had casts, or bandages on their heads, or IV lines dripping into them. The hospital must have been so full that patients had spilled out onto the path.

“I have to go and pick up some other people,” the driver said. “I’ll be back here within an hour to get you and take you on to the evacuation center. I’ll meet you right here.”

“Good. Thanks for the drive,” Ryan said.

I hopped out of the vehicle, and Lulu struggled to climb out with the little girl in her arms.

“Would you like me to take her?” I asked.

“Thanks.” She offered the girl to me, but Blondie spun around and clung tightly to Lulu, protesting, refusing to leave her arms.

Ryan had climbed out now, and he took Lulu’s hand and pulled them both out together.