Holding her tightly, she let the quiet stretch out. And in that silence, she remembered the faces she always tried to force herself to forget. The children who were gone. And others, who disappeared into the night.

Finally she pulled away, grudgingly, but knowing if they were away much longer, they would be sought out.

"We should get back in my dear." She smiled down, tucking one of Sandy's blond bangs behind her ear. "Thank you."