Chapter 1 - The Heat on the Asphalt
The brutal summer heat cut through the air like a wall of fire.
The suburban shopping mall parking lot shimmered beneath the ninety-five-degree midday sun.
Waves of heat radiated off the black asphalt, making the distant storefronts quiver like liquid shadows.
My name is Sarah, and I was holding a light bag of groceries in one hand, reaching for my car keys with the other. I was eager to retreat into the air-conditioned sanctuary of my sedan.
I was three spaces away when a dark blue minivan caught my eye.
It sat parked under the direct glare of the sun, parked far from the shade of the building.
Its windows were heavily tinted, almost pitch black.
At first glance, I assumed the vehicle was completely empty. Most shoppers wouldn't leave an empty car idling in the sun, let alone parked engine-off.
Then, a sudden flicker of movement behind the rear passenger glass made me stop.
I blinked, squinting against the harsh glare.
A boy was lying flat across the middle bench seat.
He looked no older than twelve years old.
His green cotton shirt was completely soaked through with dark patches of sweat. His damp red hair was matted flat against his forehead.
His face was a frightening, waxy shade of pale.
May you like
I dropped my grocery bag onto the hot pavement without thinking.
I rushed toward the blue minivan.
