Early the next morning, Julian slipped out of the house before sunrise.
He walked quickly down the quiet suburban streets toward the city bus stop.
He used his saved allowance money to buy a bus ticket into the city center.
The morning air was brisk and frosty as he stepped off the bus downtown.
He walked straight to the coffee shop corner where he had seen Leo the day before.
The sidewalk was completely empty except for trash blowing in the wind.
Julian felt a wave of panic hit his chest.
Julian: Where are you, Leo? Please still be near here.
He began asking nearby store owners if they had seen the young boy.
He showed them a picture of himself on his tablet screen.
A kindly old bakery owner looked at the photo and nodded her head.
Baker: Oh, that poor child stays near the old train station down the block.
Julian: Thank you so much, ma'am!
Julian ran as fast as his legs could carry him down the sidewalk.
He arrived at the abandoned train station building five minutes later.
The building was dark, drafty, and smelled of damp dust.
He walked carefully inside, calling out his brother's name into the quiet space.
Julian: Leo! Are you in here?! It's Julian!
From behind a pile of old wooden crates, a small voice answered back.
Leo: Julian? What are you doing here?
Leo stepped out from the shadows wrapped in a thin gray blanket.
His shoes were completely worn out and his hands were shivering.
Julian ran forward and threw his arms around his long-lost brother.
Julian: I found you! I came to help you!
Leo: Why did your mom look at me like she hated me yesterday?
Julian: She isn't my real mom, Leo. And we are twin brothers.
Leo stared at Julian with big, stunned green eyes.
Leo: We are... brothers?
Julian: Yes! And I have proof of everything right here on my tablet.
Suddenly, heavy footsteps echoed from the entrance of the train station.
A tall man with a messy beard and harsh eyes stepped into the sunlight.
It was Arthur, their uncle who had taken Leo eight years ago.
Arthur: Well, well, well. Look who decided to visit us from the fancy house.