- It's no easy task trying to find your way down a mountain in the dark, as Vahan soon learns while he's running.
- When he finally gets to the bottom of the mountain, he makes his way to the nearest town, Sivas, where he's surprised to hear someone talking in Armenian. He makes his way toward them.
- He hasn't heard his voice in three months, so he's not so steady with it anymore, but he manages to get out that he's Armenian, and the person looks up.
- They guy takes him inside, and asks where Vahan is from and how he ended up there. Vahan spills the beans—like, every last one of them.
- He tells the guy—named Ara—his whole story, and when he's done, Ara offers to let Vahan stay with him. He'll have to hide of course, but Ara will help him however he can.
- Ara and his old friend Serop give Vahan some rice and veggies to eat, and talk to him—Vahan feels like they are his family, and he enjoys spending time with them, mainly because it reminds him of his own family.
- One day Ara asks Vahan if he's looking for a home and a family, and of course Vahan answers yes.
- Here's the secret: Home is where the heart is. No one can take a feeling or emotion away from you, though they can take a house and your stuff.
- Vahan loves it at Ara's, but after about a week, Ara takes Vahan to meet a friend.
- It turns out Ara knows Mrs. Fauld from the orphanage, and asked her to help Vahan find a home.
- She can't accept any boys into the orphanage, but if Vahan is willing to wear drag and convince people he is actually a girl, she'll take him in.
- Mrs. Fauld would like to find him a home, but she can't promise anything. Vahan accepts.