Even from the car, he could smell dampness and decay in the air.

“She’s probably sleeping,” Emma said softly as she climbed out with her bike.

“She sleeps a lot now.”

She paused for a moment.

“Because it hurts less when you’re not awake.”

Those words hit Rocco harder than any punch he had ever taken.

He had built an empire on fear and respect.

Yet this child spoke about pain as if it were simply part of life.

The Empty Home

They walked slowly toward the door.

Emma pulled a key from beneath a loose brick and unlocked it.

The door creaked open.