The child’s cry startled me, causing my ears to perk up as I told Atlas, “Listen, it’s Ava!”

We strained our ears to listen for her amid the helicopters above us.

"It must be Ava!" I took advantage of Atlas’s brief distraction and leaped out of the car. The wind from the helicopters made it difficult for me to stand steadily.

Atlas held me firmly from behind and said, “Get back in the car and listen to me! They’re searching for her!”

“Let me go! I can hear her crying!” I struggled and pushed