We sat there for a full minute in the parking space before I turned off the engine. I took in a few deep breaths, watching the other parents dropping off their kids before driving off to go back home or go to work. Now I was doing the same thing. I was trusting that this school was safe for my daughter. "Hey, it's going to be a good day for both of us, okay?"

"Okay." She gazed up at the school with a frown. I could tell she didn't want to leave. Honestly, I didn't want her to leave either, but I couldn't give up my job. She needed an education, and I wanted her to realize that no matter how hard it was, this was the best thing for her.

"Come on, I'll walk you in." Tipping my chin towards the door, I jumped out as she slowly unbuckled herself from her seat. She took her time getting out, then grabbed her backpack from where it had been sitting on the floor.

She was silent as she grabbed my hand and we walked through the front door, into the front office. "Hi, again." The secretary at the front office grinned up at us. "Here to start your first day of school?"

"Mhm." Eva nodded, leaning into my leg almost a little shyly, even though we just saw her yesterday. I guess she still hadn't warmed up to her, although I had a feeling that would change eventually, especially since Eva was having a hard time with all the change.

"Well, I'm glad you stopped by because I actually have something for you." Pulling out a sack from underneath her desk, the secretary handed it to me. I crouched down beside her so she could look too. Inside was a small white and purple pencil case with a number two pencil, a mechanical pencil, and a big eraser.

"Thank you," Eva said all on her own as I handed the sack to her to carry. She smiled for the first time today, which I didn't think would happen. Smiles were rare with this girl, especially when she was nervous. I didn't blame her. Her adopted parents died, she's living in a new state away from all her friends, and now starting at a new school just after meeting her biological mom.

"Yes, thank you. That was really nice of you to do."

"You're welcome. It's just our way of getting you started on your first day of school. Please let us know if there's anything else we can do for you."

"Just one thing. Do you think it would be alright if I walk Eva into class since it's her first day?"

"That would be just fine." The older lady pushed her chair back from the desk. She was now wearing a rose-colored dress shirt, a black sweater and dark jeans. You got a chance to meet with her teacher yesterday?"

"Yes. Ms. Holliday seems like a very kind person."

"She is. In fact, she's probably down already welcoming her students into class if you two want to head down that way now."

"We will head down there. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Eva grabbed at my hand again, her pace slowing as we rounded the corner to her class. Ms. Holliday was at the door greeting her students and reminding kids to hang their backpacks up as they went inside.

"Hi, Hailey and Eva, right?" Ms. Holliday gazed over at us she continued to instruct kids or answer their questions.

"Yes." I turned to Eva and crouched down beside her, touching just above her wrists. "Okay, this is it." Eva nodded sadly, casting her eyes towards her classroom. "Remember what I said about calling me if you need me, okay?"

"But what if they don't let me?"

"I'm sure if you ask Ms. Holladay she'll let you go to the office and call." Her teacher nodded in agreement as she watched our interactions. "See, she said yes." I pointed over to her and she gave a smaller nod this time so Eva could see it was okay if she asked.

"Okay."

"I have to get to work. Promise me one thing?"

"What?"

"Try and have a good day?" She looked away from me and I could tell she was trying not to cry. I could already tell this day was probably going to be really long for her. "Promise?"

"You promise you will answer if I call?"

"I will do my best to answer, but if I can't, it's because I'm on a case. I will call when I can, okay?"

"But what if you don't? What if something happens to you?" She asked, her expression full of worry.

"Then I will send someone to come get you."

"Like who?"

"I was thinking Jay for now. But I have to ask him first if that's okay."

"Okay." Her face brightened up a little as a small tear ran down her cheek.

"Alright. That's the bell. It's time for class and I think your teacher is waiting for you to go in." I knew what I had to do but I felt like neither of us wanted to take that next step. Her teacher had been waiting patiently as one or two students came running down the hall and made their way into the classroom.

Eva edged towards the door as I waved goodbye. I didn't want to linger and make it harder for her, so I turned and left. As I made my way back down the hall, I sighed as I could still hear her teacher trying to coax her into coming in. By the time I had reached the middle of the hall, I could tell she was crying. It took everything in me to not turn around and take another sick day so we could stay home together. If only life could be that simple. Instead, I kept walking and braced myself for a day of phone calls.

Honestly, I didn't know what else to do since I hadn't told anybody else about her yet, and it's not as if I could just bring her to work with me. The police department wasn't really a place for kids, and I wanted to keep her out of there as much as possible.