At six in the morning, Milo Roland tiptoed out of bed.

The aroma of spicy oil noodles filled the kitchen. He'd woken up early to prepare two bowls.

When Ethan Roscente emerged from his room, Milo's eyes lit up. "Mr. Roscente, I made spicy oil noodles. Would you like some?"

The man gave him a cold glance without breaking stride. "No."

Milo clenched the edge of his apron.

Last time, Ethan had finished every bite of the plain noodle soup...

At the dining table, the boy slurped his noodles quietly, growing more dejected with each bite.

He'd used extra chili this time and even fried scallion oil specially.

After devouring both portions himself, Milo was clearing the dishes when he heard movement from the master bedroom.

He gently closed the door, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and left.

Three familiar figures at the school gates froze the blood in his veins.

Fiona Roland's mink coat gleamed greasily in the morning light. Jason Roland argued with security, cigarette dangling from his lips. Heidi Roland's shrill voice pierced through the crowd: "My brother-in-law attends this school!"

Milo spun around and ran.

"Stop!"

"Don't you dare run, Milo!"

As footsteps closed in, he ducked into a breakfast stall at the alley entrance, knocking over two bamboo steamers of buns.

When the steaming trays hit the ground, Heidi's scream followed: "My new dress!"

After zigzagging through three alleys, Milo bent over, hands on knees, gasping for air.

The withered weeds by the school wall rustled as he crouched to part them.

The dog hole Ryan Watson had jokingly called the "Hogwarts passage" now glimmered with hope.