But just as he darted past a row of parked cars, something caught his eye. He slowed, then stopped. Inside a silver sedan, strapped into a rear-facing car seat, was a baby. The child’s face was blotchy red, glistening with sweat. Tiny fists beat weakly against the straps, and the cries were muffled by the sealed windows. The baby’s head lolled slightly to one side, its mouth opening and closing in exhausted whimpers.

Liam’s chest tightened. He tapped frantically on the glass. No response. He ran to the other side of the car and tried the handles. Locked. The baby’s cries grew softer, and that silence frightened him more than the sound. He spun in a circle, searching for an adult, for anyone—but the lot was deserted. His school was only a few blocks away, but