Mason held up the magazine again, pointing to Ethan’s photo. Underneath, someone had written in pen: “Dad Ethan will come get you when the time is right.”
Ethan was stunned. The handwriting clearly belonged to an adult, not a child. Someone had planted this fantasy in their heads. But why?
“Do you remember your mom?”
“No, sir,” Logan said quietly. “Aunt Karen told us Mommy had to go to heaven when we were born.”
Ethan’s heart raced. The story was getting more confusing, but the vulnerability of these two boys touched him deeply. He noticed people starting to stare at the scene on the sidewalk.
“Look, you can’t stay out here alone on the street. It’s dangerous.”
“But Aunt Karen said we had to find you today,” Mason insisted. “She said it was really important.”
“Where is this shelter? I’ll take you back.”
The twins looked at each other, fear flashing in their eyes.
“You’re not going to take us with you?” Logan asked, grabbing his brother’s hand.
“Aunt Karen said if we found you, we wouldn’t have to go back there anymore,” Mason added, tears forming in his eyes.
Ethan was in an impossible position. He couldn’t leave two small children on the street, but he couldn’t just take them home either.