"Here you go, sweetheart."
Sarah's eyes lit up as she saw the cover of the book in her father's hand. "Thank you, Dad." She added it to the ever growing pile by the wall. It was by the author of the most recent book she had read. She hadn't been huge on reading before, but now that they were staying at this place, it seemed like the only thing she did.
"If you ever need anything, just tell me."
"I don't need anything. Except..." Sarah paused, embarrassed. She had woken up that morning to feel something strange in her lower body. She knew what it was, as it had happened a few times before, and her father had explained it to her. It was extremely embarrassing, though.
"What?" Her father leaned closer, concern in his features. "What is it?"
"Um..." Sarah looked down at her lap, feeling her cheeks heat up. She forced herself to say it. "Tam..." She couldn't say the rest.
Carlos caught on, though. "Yes. Of course. Don't worry, sweetheart."
There was a pause. Desperate to change the subject, Sarah added, "Can't I come to the warehouse with you?"
Carlos shook his head firmly, growing stern. "No, Sarah."
"But why?" Sarah knew she should be happy she and her dad had found a safe place, but she couldn't help missing her home. It was so boring here. She just stayed in her room all the time. She wanted to go home, eat her favorite foods, sleep in her own bed. Or at least see what the rest of the place was like. "I just want to see what it's like. I'll stay by your side the whole time. Maybe I can even pick out books—"
"I said no," Carlos repeated sternly. His expression softened at the disappointed look on Sarah's face. "I'm sorry, sweetheart, but you have to stay in here. It's not safe outside."
"But it's just the warehouse—"
"Sarah." Sarah recognized that tone and went quiet. Then his tone softened. "Why don't you tell me about your books?"
Sarah's face lit up again. She headed to the neat pile she had made and picked one out, careful not to topple the pile over. Even as she told her dad about the book, she couldn't help the thought that crept into her mind. As soon as Dad wasn't looking, she'd try to escape her room and go outside, just once.