Nayeli sat at the small kitchen table, eating crackers with peanut butter on them and watching her foster mom out of the corner of her eye. Her foster mom rummaged through her backpack, sighing or knitting her brows together each time she picked up a new piece of paper. She flipped open a shiny red Read More …

Nayeli stepped off the bus and pulled up abruptly, causing the man on the stairs behind her to cuss. She quickly stepped to the side, her eyes remaining fixed on the frail figure hunched over on the bench in front of her. The woman peered up at her, with hands tightly clenching a shawl around Read More …

Nayeli wiped the bead of sweat that tickled her temple and readjusted her cap. The sun beat down on the blacktop and the multitudes that had decided to spend the day at the zoo. She stuck a colorful pamphlet in her back pocket. She didn’t need it anymore. It had been a long day. As Read More …

The girl sitting a few theater seats over let out a blood curling scream. Nayeli cringed. It wasn’t even the scariest part of the movie. She glanced over and froze. The girl who had been talking the entire movie was frantically tugging at the boy next to her, in hysterics. Even in the dark, Nayeli Read More …

The airport was practically empty. Only a few people wandered the concourse, footsteps echoing. Nayeli rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and rolled her carry-on into the restroom behind her. She past several empty stalls before stopping at one. As she stepped inside, she heard the rustle of clothing further down, followed by a Read More …

Nayeli stood in line at the post office, rocking back and forth in place. It was a good thing she wasn’t in a hurry. It was a long line, filled with people trying to get errands done over the lunch hour. Another post office employee came up to the counter. Instead of waving the next Read More …

Nayeli rubbed her hands together in front of the fireplace and then held them up, palms toward the flickering flames. Her fingers tingled. It was bitterly cold outside at that altitude, especially once the sun set. If only she could stay put. She sighed, rubbed her hands together one more time, and then rose from Read More …

The roar of the crowd surged through the concrete tunnel. Nayeli paused. Maybe now was not a good time to grab a snack. She shrugged. She wasn’t much of a sports fan, so this was better than waiting until crowds of sweaty people were pressing their way through to vendors and bathrooms. As she continued, Read More …

Nayeli stood in line at the bank, rocking back and forth in place. It was quiet, other than the occasional murmuring. She heard the near silent whoosh of the front doors opening behind her. Someone screamed. Before Nayeli could turn, she was roughly brushed aside. She teetered and caught herself. Looking toward the counter, she Read More …

Nayeli’s thoughts were suddenly interrupted when a lady latched on to her arm, blue eyes wide. “Have you seen my son?” Her words tumbled out. “He’s only three. He’s wearing red shorts and a yellow shirt. I only turned my back for a second.” She was on the verge of tears. Nayeli glanced around. “No, Read More …