The next morning was cold and gray, fog curling around the detention center’s gates. Annabelle held Emma’s hand so tight it hurt.

  Emma’s small voice trembled. “Are you sure they’ll even let us in? What if they say no?”

  Annabelle squeezed her hand. “We have to try. Aiko needs us.”

  At the desk, the guard squinted. “State your business.”

  “We’re here to see Aiko Takahashi,” Annabelle said, forcing her voice steady.

  The guard’s eyes narrowed. “You know the rules. No one under eighteen in the visitor’s room without a guardian.”

  Annabelle’s stomach dropped. “Please, sir… I’ll be eighteen soon. She’s our sister. She didn’t do anything wrong. She just—she needs us.”

  Emma’s eyes filled. She pressed forward, voice breaking. “P-please. Please let us see her.”

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  The guard’s face softened just a little. He sighed. “Wait here. Don’t move.”

  When he came back, he jerked his head. “One time. Keep it quiet.”

  The girls scrambled into the visitation room. When Aiko appeared on the other side of the glass, her face lit up. She grabbed the phone, eyes wet.

  “I can’t believe you’re here,” Aiko whispered. “You don’t know how much I needed this.”

  Annabelle’s voice shook. “We’ve missed you so much.”

  Emma pressed her cheek against the glass, clutching the phone with both hands. “We’re gonna get you out, Aiko! I promise!”

  Aiko bit her lip hard, her fingers white-knuckled around the receiver.

  “Listen,” Annabelle said, leaning close, her voice lowering. “Something happened. A man came to the farm. British accent, expensive suit. He… he offered to buy the whole place.”

  Aiko’s face went sharp. “What? Why?”

  “He said… five million dollars.”

  Aiko froze. The blood drained from her face. Her lips moved fast, silently, warning them.

  The guard’s voice barked over the speaker. “Visiting time’s over!”

  “No, wait—” Emma pressed harder against the glass, but Aiko was already being pulled away, still mouthing frantic words.

  Annabelle’s heart hammered. She dragged Emma close as they walked out.

  Emma’s voice cracked, tears spilling. “What’s gonna happen to her?”

  Annabelle shook her head, jaw tight. “I don’t know. But I’m going to find out.”