Lira drew a big heart on the wall. The marker sputtered and ran dry. Black ink splattered everywhere.
The doorbell rang three times. Lira jumped and hid behind her bed. A paper slipped under the door.
Lira crept over and picked up the note. It was a pencil and a sticky note. Her fingers trembled.
She wrote in big, wobbly letters: 'I need love.' She taped the note to the doorknob.
Lira took a deep breath and opened the door. Sunlight flooded in, blinding her for a second.
She stepped onto the porch. A stray dog trotted up and nudged her hand with a wet nose.
Lira crouched down and scratched the dog behind the ears. It wagged its tail against her leg.
They walked down the path together. The dog followed closely behind Lira's small steps.