Devon went inside with the sunscreen. Her mom always made her put it on inside and wait for it to seep in for maximum effectiveness.

The room was hideously dark and boring. Brown paneled walls, yellow covers on the bed, a brown chair beside a wobbly brown table. She turned on the TV.

After finding the one channel available, she was displeased to find it was only the news. Today’s high was 76, local police are looking for a girl kidnapped. Wait! That’s me! Devon turned the TV down low and leaned her ear close. She kept her eyes on the door, certain Julian would come in any moment from his smoke break.

“The suspect, Julian Reeve, wanted for the murder of Melanie Light, kidnapped nine-year-old Devon Turner, blonde curls, blue eyes, 65 pounds, could be under the alias of Devon Light. He is said to be armed and dangerous.”

The door opened, and Devon turned the TV off. Her face was pale.

“Ready to go?” Julian’s smile faded. “What?”

“Did you kill my real mother?” Wide-eyed fear made her shrink away from him.