The morning sun filtered through Miguel's curtains, painting warm shapes on his bedroom floor. His eyes fluttered open, small fists rubbing away sleep. For one peaceful moment, everything was normal.
Then he remembered yesterday's adventure with Mommy. Her extra tight hugs. The way she kept touching his face like she was trying to remember every little part of him.
"Mommy?" he called, climbing out of bed.
When no answer came, Miguel padded down the hallway in his dinosaur pajamas, his small feet silent against the marble floor. He pushed open the door to his mother's room.
Empty.
The bed was made, perfect and untouched. No clothes in the closet. No brush on the dresser. Nothing to show his mother had ever been there at all.
A cold feeling spread through Miguel's chest. He ran to the
