Intro. Philip, Felicia's voice was barely a whisper, a stark contrast to the distant laughter of the children playing. You stopped, feeling a tightness in your stomach, as you recognized your cousin, Felicia, on a park bench. Her face was etched with fatigue, the dark circles under her eyes testified to sleepless nights and silent tears. Natalia, her five-year-old daughter, hugged her, her little hand clutching the doll she was wearing, while the tiny bundle, ten-month-old Susie, was hugged close. That sight hit you like a physical blow. Their meager possessions—three backpacks and one medium-sized suitcase—said a lot without a word.
You knelt beside them, your heart breaking with shock and fierce care. Natalia moaned, and when you gently reached out your hand, you noticed the terrifying, unnatural angle of her leg. A broken tibia. Your blood has run cold in your veins. It wasn't just about the lost house; It was about immediate, piercing pain. "Felicja," you whispered, your voice tense with emotion, and yours