Thus far, Rory hadn't had a chance to talk to any of the children here. Even though she was a mother and it broke her heart to see what these poor kids were being forced to endure, there was no guarantee she would've approached any of them anyway. Detachment seemed like the only way to stay strong for her son. These were horrors that her own son was going to suffer through if a rescue wasn't planned quickly, and that was what she'd have to focus on. It sounded callous and horrible, but Rory wasn't strong enough to take care of AJ while trying to do the same for strangers.
And then a little girl approached them, and all that logic went out the window.
She was quick to smile, as if a brave face would keep the girl from realizing how desperate and angry she and Rae were. It was just instinct. When the girl laughed, the smile was more genuine, if only for a moment.
Hearing her name changed that, made her smile falter completely. "Sixteen?" she repeated, brow dipping slightly before she regained control of her expression, pulled something more neutral. "Is that what your mommy called you?" Rory asked cautiously, though she already knew the answer.