“Stay calm,” the boy thought. He looked around nervously and kept walking until he arrived at a small house. He knocked.

“Who is it?” a voice called.

“Alex.”

“Come in.”

He entered.

“Hello,” the voice said.

“Hello, Ezekiel.”

“Do you have the money?”

“Yes.”

“Any trouble?”

“No.”

“We should leave.”

They gathered their things and exited through the back door. A car was parked outside. They climbed in, and Alex watched Ezekiel start the engine.

“Ready?” Ezekiel asked.

Alex nodded. Ezekiel stepped on the gas, and they cruised along for several hours before crossing the border.

“Don’t worry,” Ezekiel said. “I’ve been doing this a while. You have nothing to fear.”

“I hope you’re right,” Alex said.

They drove for another hour and stopped outside a motel.

“This is it,” Ezekiel called.

“Here?” Alex asked.

“She’ll be around back.”

They walked to the back where a young girl in tattered clothes stood alone.

“Esperanza?” Ezekiel asked.

“Si?”

“Are you ready to escape?”