It’s cold and I’m desperately searching for a coffee shop. It’s getting late, maybe 10:00 PM, but I haven’t been sleeping lately. By choice. When I fall asleep, I have nightmares from my time on the Task Force. I’d rather not relive it at all. So that’s why I’m getting coffee at night.

I turn down an alleyway I happen to know is a shortcut to the best coffee place in town. I walk past one of those large outside dumpers and that’s when I see them.

The kid. A literal kid, no older than 17, holding a fussing baby close to their chest. Both are covered in dirt and pale. My heart sinks.

A homeless teenager? With an infant?

“Hey,” I say as I crouch down in front of the teen. I keep an acceptable distance between us. “Hey. What are you doing out here?”