Tough Kids: A Short Story

For as long as she can remember, Piper has been running a con. But she's always been alone, only having to look out for herself--then she finds an orphan in a dumpster and decides the lonely life isn't for her.
Mark wants nothing more than sunshine and a soft bed to sleep in, and a dumpster in Philadelphia doesn't provide either. When he's rescued by a con artist just barely his age, he decides to see what she has to offer. Maybe he'll get a home out of the deal.
The two join forces and create a psuedo-sibling act, knowing it will rake in more cash for their trip to California. But as the two get closer, Piper feels a responsibility for her "little brother," and Mark is suddenly unsure if he can make it through life without the guidance of his "older sister."
This heartwarming short story about two adoptive siblings sheds light on the youth epidemic and that family often means more than just blood.