Lights framed the structures and traveled alongside the sidewalks. Shamira stuffed one hand in a pocket and closed her eyes. She briefly pummeled herself into the complete darkness that reminded her of the safe place she’d lived within most of her life. Being blind hadn’t been a handicap. It had been a safe haven. It was a familiar place that allowed her to be what she needed to be. A place without the weakness of what was seen, only what she believed. A faint sound of young voices wafted around her. Her eyes fluttered opened bringing her back to her dim reality. “I hear something. Someone over there in that abandoned building.” Valens chin dipped. “That should be where Nan lives. Several families share the bottom floor. The top floors are for the Help Center and the homeless.” “Good. You leading the way?” Shamira asked. “Yeah, she’ll let me in.” Valens went ahead of the others. His hand fisted up, froze for a moment, then knocked on what appeared to be the back door to the building.
