Two days later, the man they had feared showed up at the bus. He wasn’t alone. He brought another man, bigger, meaner. But they didn’t expect us. Duke and two of our brothers were waiting.
“You mean the kids you left freezing in this bus?” Duke asked calmly when the man demanded them back.
When he tried to fight, it ended quickly. We called the police, this time armed with undeniable evidence: photos, witness statements, Renee’s report. The man was taken into custody on the spot.

Building a New Home

That night, the children stayed at the clubhouse. Lena, Duke’s wife, treated their wounds, made soup, and tucked them into makeshift beds. For the first time in weeks, they slept in warmth.
Max still woke with nightmares, clutching a flashlight like a weapon. The little girl, Maddy, needed a hand to hold before she could close her eyes. The baby, Ollie, would cry until someone rocked him gently.
We decided unanimously: we would protect them until something better came along.

A Turning Point