Chicago was no Santa's village, but already the city was getting into the holiday spirit. Window displays changed their autumn brown and orange themes to the festive red, green and white. Malls and department stores got busy with marketing as they prepared for hopefully a month of boosted sales and profits. Everywhere, there were tinsels, lights, poinsettias, trees, and familiar characters from Rudolph to Frosty. The sweet aromas of hot chocolate and apple cider filled the air on the chilly streets, all gentle reminders that Christmas was near.

Luc placed his crutches on the icy road and took a careful step forward. Freezing, wet, snowy, it was another typical winter day in Chicago, but Luc relished every second of it. It was good to be outdoors again.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Gabby asked for the millionth time.

Luc sighed. "I'm fine." 

His sister, aunt, and uncle had asked that question so many times it had become a catchphrase in their house. It was like the car accident all over again, when they fussed over him incessantly, as of afraid he'd break any minute.

"I shouldn't have let you go home alone."

Luc groaned. "It wasn't your fault," he told her, and it really wasn't. Gabby couldn't have known Deondre and his friends would ambush him after school.

His sister huffed. "I still can't believe the school won't do anything about it," she protested. "Assholes."

Luc gave his sister a look. Gabby arched her eyebrow at him as if to say 'what are you gonna do about it.'

"Anyways," she continued. "We've got a choir rehearsal today. You're staying with me after school." Luc opened his mouth to protest. "You're staying with me," Gabby repeated firmly. "You can wait for me in the library, or you can watch us practice in the cafeteria, I don't care, but you're not going home alone," she said with the authority of a sixth grader.

"But I'm gonna miss Rugrats," Luc argued weakly, but he knew there was nothing he could do to change Gabby's mind. Chances are he wouldn't be able to go anywhere alone for a while.

Although the doctor assured them Luc's bruises and cuts would heal in time, she was more concerned about Luc's legs. She suggested keeping him at the hospital, but expensive medical bills and issues with their insurance policy made that an unfavorable option. After more discussions with the doctor, Luc was allowed to recuperate at home as long as he was confined to bed rest, hence the week-long imprisonment at home.

His aunt and uncle had gone to his school demanding justice for their nephew. Instead, they got a halfhearted apology from the school vice-principal, along with a lame "kids will be kids" remark before being ushered out of the office with an "I have work to do" excuse. Luc's aunt came home cursing in rapid Chinese, while his uncle just shook his head in resignation.

"Nick got a Gameboy for his birthday," said Gabby. "If you want, I could ask him to let you borrow it so you won't be bored," she offered in a hopeful tone.

Luc shook his head. "I'll go to the library."

"Are you sure?" Gabby asked dubiously.

Luc nodded. "Mrs. Burke stays late sometimes. She won't mind me being there."

Gabby nodded. "All right, I'm coming to get you after practice, so don't go anywhere, okay?"

"Not even to the restroom?" Luc asked innocently.

Gabby rolled her eyes, "If you wanna pee in the library, that's fine with me."

Luc snorted. "Gross," he exclaimed with a laugh.

"You started it," his sister shot back. The bantering continued as the siblings approached their school.

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Luc said hi to a few of his classmates as he entered the classroom. He leaned his crutches against his desk and took off his backpack. Habitually, his eyes landed on an empty desk across from him. The joy of being out of the house was soon replaced with dejection and helplessness. Two weeks had passed already, but still no word on Jayla's whereabouts.

Would she ever sit there again? 

There was a thump as a backpack landed on a desk next to him.

"You're back," his desk mate, Sam Bridges, exclaimed as he plopped down onto his seat. He held out a half-eaten chocolate bar. "Want some?"

Luc shook his head. "No thanks," he said. He stole a glance at the clock. "You might want to finish that before the bell rings."

Sam shrugged and took a big bite. "You were gone for a long time," he remarked as he chewed. "Hey, did you hear? I'm going to play Santa Claus for our skit," he said with a proud huff.

Is that why you're having chocolate for breakfast? Luc thought "That's great," he said with a smile. Then he frowned. "What skit?"

"Sh'kit fes'," Sam answered with a mouthful of chocolate. "Each class is gonna perform a sh'kit at the 'ssembly in two weeks."

Luc made a face. "Why?"

Sam shrugged and swallowed his chocolate. "Don't worry, I think Ms. Lloyd and Ms. Jones already made a list of who will be in it. You're not in it."

Luc slowly nodded. That's good. He hated being in the spotlight. Once again, his eyes returned to the empty desk in front of him.

Sam followed his gaze. "My mom thinks she ran away."

"Do you believe her?"

Just then, the warning bell rang. Everyone scrambled to their seats in anticipation of the morning announcements. A while later, a short melody played over the intercom, followed by the principal's morning greeting.

Luc never got his answer.

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The day went by in a flash. Instead of their usual morning math session, Ms. Lloyd turned it into an arts and craft activity. They spent the morning making cardboard Christmas ornaments to decorate their classroom. In the afternoon, they made apple cider and listened to a story about a very special Christmas tree while the cider was boiling in the kitchen.

Luc listened absentmindedly to the afternoon announcements as he sipped his warm apple cider. There wasn't much, just the usual reminder to dress warmly for the cold weather, and some details about the annual canned food drive.

"One final announcement." The principal's tone turned solemn. "Our student, Jayla Bennett, is still missing." At this, Luc stiffened. "I understand that many of you are scared and worried, but the police are working hard to find her. In the meantime, your teachers and counselors are here if you wish to speak to someone." There was a pause. "We are all praying for her safe return."

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The bell rang. There was a rustle of movement as students shouldered their backpacks and lined up by the door. Ms. Lloyd made one final head count before leading the children towards the exit. She told Luc to wait by the doors and brought the students outside to the group of waiting parents.

She returned a few minutes later. "Are you ready?" she asked Luc. The boy nodded. The two walked back into the school. It was a lengthy walk to the library. Ms. Lloyd walked at a slow but steady pace so Luc could keep up.

"How are you doing, Luc?"

"Fine," came the simple reply.

There was a pause. "And how are you feeling?" Ms. Lloyd asked carefully.

"Fine," he repeated.

Ms. Lloyd hesitated. "Is there anything you'd like to talk about?"

"Like what?"

"Like Jayla Bennett? You two are friends, right?"

Luc shrugged but kept on walking. 

Ms. Lloyd sighed. "It's okay if you don't want to talk about it, but if you do, I'm here to listen, okay?"

"Okay."

Ms. Lloyd pondered whether she should coax Luc into talking but decided against it. Luc was the smartest student in her class, and quite mature for his age. Too mature. There was no point trying to get anything out of him if he wasn't ready to talk.

They came to a stop in front of two large blue metal doors. Ms. Lloyd opened one to let Luc in. She gave Mrs. Burke, the librarian, a wave.

"Will you be all right by yourself?" she asked Luc.

"Mm-hmm," the boy replied with a nod. "Gabby will come find me after choir practice."

Ms. Lloyd smiled. "All right," she said. "I'll see you tomorrow, sweetie." With that, she exited the library.

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Luc looked around. There was a musty but comfortable smell in the air. Posters with words like "read" and "knowledge" and "power" were plastered all around. White glittery snowflakes hung from the ceiling. There were four computers at the far end of the room, all occupied by someone.

Probably playing Oregon Trail, Luc thought. His eyes came to a rest on the large bean bag chairs in the corner. His heart clenched. That was his and Jayla's favorite spot, their secret hideout. It was the place where they forgot all about their troubles and dreamed of the future.

Jayla loved to read. Her dream was to become a writer. "I'm going to put my books in all the libraries in the world," she'd said. In return, Luc had promised to one day travel the world with her so they could visit every single library to find her books.

They were sitting there just last month. Jayla was so excited. She had just written her very first story, and she couldn't wait to show him.

She never did.

Luc sighed and turned away. He busied himself by scanning through the books on the return rack and randomly selected one. He hobbled over to an empty table and sat down. Turning to the first page, he began to read.

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"That was too easy!"

Deondre opened his eyes. Lying inside the tube slide, he listened as a group of kids approached. School was already finished for the day, but he didn't want to go home. It would just be another evening of drunken yelling.

"Useless! Just like your father!"

"You had one job to do."

"I wish you have never been born!"

"This is all your fault!"

If things were bad at home, they were even worse at school. His friends stopped talking to him, and his classmates alienated him. Kids blamed him for the disappearance, said he deserved it for being a bully.

And it was, wasn't it? After all, Jayla would still be here if he didn't leave her behind.

"He didn't even move!" someone said with a cackle. 

Deondre's eyebrow twitched, then winced. Gingerly, he touched the bruise around his eye.

"Wonder how that cripple is gonna get home tonight," another voice chimed in. 

That got Deondre's attention. Without thinking, he slid down the yellow tube slide. His feet hit the pebbles with a sandy splash. Ignoring the searing pain on his arm, he stood to his full height. In front of him stood four kids, all younger than him. Deondre couldn't care less, though. His eyes were on a pair of crutches in one of the children's hands.

Luc's crutches, to be exact.

Without thinking, he took a step forward. "Hand 'em over!"

One of them tried to look brave. "Mind your own business," he said.

Deondre's eyes narrowed. "I said, hand 'em over," he repeated in a menacing voice.

The boy with the crutches threw them at Deondre. He brought his arms up and felt something hard make contact with his elbow.

"Here you go, loser," one of the kids shouted as they ran away.

Deondre grunted at the pain. What am I doing? Picking up the crutches, he stood up and walked towards the school.

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Luc woke with a start. Mrs. Burke was nowhere in sight, but he could see light from the back office. The library was empty, and despite the central heating system, Luc felt a chill up his back. He looked at the clock. 4:45. Choir practice would be over soon. Deciding to head over to the cafeteria to find his sister, Luc reached over for his crutches.

Only to grasp air instead.

Surprised, Luc looked at the spot where his crutches were supposed to be. Nothing. He looked around the table. His crutches were nowhere in sight. He glanced at the now-empty computer station, and his hands clenched into fists.

It wasn't the first time someone stole his crutches. They seemed to find it funny to hide them and watch him try to limp while clinging to the walls. Then one day, during lunchtime, someone purposely moved his crutches to another table. In his attempt to retrieve them, Luc fell and banged his head on a table corner. The bullies would have gotten away with it, except that day the school superintendent happened to be by for a visit and witnessed the entire incident.

Needless to say, the principal was mortified. If he didn't do much about the ongoing bullying issue at his school, he was undoubtedly forced to deal with it now. As a result, the pranksters who moved Luc's crutches were given detention, and the principal gave a "stern" warning over the intercom reminding the students about their zero-tolerance on bullying, not that it helped improve things. Most of them, like Deondre, simply got smarter. After all, the school can't watch over the students all the time.

Luc sighed. He looked over to the back office. Just as he was about to call for the librarian, the library door opened, and Deondre walked in.

Holding his crutches.

For a moment, there was silence. The two boys stared at each other. Neither of them spoke.

Luc tensed when Deondre began to walk towards him. He glanced at the back office. He wondered if Mrs. Burke heard anything. Now would be a good time to check on me, Luc mentally urged.

"You forgot these."

The boy blinked in confusion. Is this a new prank? Deondre stood before him with his crutches held out. Luc narrowed his eyes warily, waiting for something. A snide remark, or maybe some crack about his legs, but there was nothing.

Cautiously, he reached out and took the crutches. To his surprise, Deondre simply watched him positioned them under his arms and walked away.

"Thanks," Luc mumbled.

Deondre paused at the door, then pushed it open and left without a single word.

Luc stayed rooted by the table. What just happened?

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"Hey, you ready to go?"

Gabby's voice snapped Luc back into the present. He glanced at the clock. 4:50.

"Mrs. Catlow let us off early. Wanna leave now? It's getting dark outside," Gabby continued. She picked up the book and placed it back on the return cart. "Come on," she urged and picked up Luc's things. She helped her brother put on his coat and backpack. 

"You ok?" Gabby asked as they left the library.

"Yeah," Luc replied. They walked out through the side doors. The chilly air swarmed around them like an icy blanket. He looked around. Deondre was nowhere in sight.

"You're coming next week, right?" Gabby asked. Luc nodded. He wouldn't miss the choir concert for anything. "There'll be refreshments after the concert. Katie's mom is bringing chocolate brownies. Bronson's mom is going to make a fruitcake, and Josie's mom is going to make caramel tarts," she babbled on in excitement.

"Is aunty bringing anything?" Luc asked.

His sister snorted. "We'll be lucky if she remembers to buy cookies," she said, rolling her eyes.

"At least she tries," Luc pointed out. Their Aunt April and Uncle Shing never wanted children. They had dedicated their lives to running their restaurant business. Adopting Luc and Gabby was a surprise.

It was a difficult transition for everyone. His aunt, who mourned the loss of her sister when Luc was four, was once again devastated by the death of her brother-in-law a year later. His uncle's plans to expand the restaurant business were put on hold when Gabby and Luc became orphans. Things weren't perfect, but Luc knew his uncle and aunt had sacrificed a lot for them.

"True," Gabby agreed. "Hopefully Uncle Shing won't show up with a stack of restaurant fliers like last year."

Luc laughed as they continued down the sidewalk.

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Deondre entered through the back door and gently closed it. The house was dark. He could hear the TV playing in the living room. Through the dim flickers, he could make out several beer bottles on the kitchen table.

He found his mom passed out on the couch. There were more bottles scattered on the floor and the wooden lamp table. In her hand was a half-full bottle of vodka. Quietly, Deondre reached out to take the bottle from her hand.

"Damn fucker," his mother slurred. Deondre backed away. He held his breath. Please don't wake up, he silently begged.

"'iece of shit," his mother mumbled as her head lolled to the side, eyes closed. Still, Deondre remained unmoved by the wall.

"Baby," she choked out with a sob. "Why you gotta leave?" There was a crumpled piece of paper in her hand, but Deondre already knew what it was. There was a stack of fliers on the coffee table. White, with a picture of a smiling girl in the middle. Medium-length braids. Sparkling Eyes. It would've been a lovely photo had it not been the word 'MISSING' printed on top in big, bold letters.

Slowly, Deondre placed the half-full bottle on the carpet and inched away from his mom. He walked down the dark hallway and felt the doorknob. Having found it, he opened it and went inside. By reflex, he turned the lock.

He took a deep breath and put down his backpack. Without bothering to change, he flopped down onto his bed. He reached under his pillow and pulled out a framed photo.

Medium-length braids. Sparkling eyes. Bright smile. Deondre fought back his tears as he held the photo close.

"Where are you, Jay?"