Chapter 2

I knew I couldn't stay here.

Ten days felt like an eternity.

The next morning, I took out the small stash of store-bought cookies and a chocolate bar I' d hoarded.

Mr. Henderson, the volunteer project supervisor, was a gruff man but fair.

I found him by the equipment shed.

"Mr. Henderson?"

He looked up. "Sarah. What is it?"

"I brought these for you and Mrs. Henderson," I said, offering the small bag. "Just a thank you for everything."

He looked surprised, then gave a curt nod. "Appreciate it."

"Sir, I was wondering if I could get a ride into the nearest town? I need to pick up a few personal items." A lie, but a necessary one.

He considered it. "Town's a good hour away. I'm sending a truck for supplies tomorrow morning. You can go then, but you have to be back with it."

"Thank you, sir. That would be perfect."

Relief washed over me.

The town had a payphone. The only payphone for miles.

The next day, the ride was bumpy. The town was small, barely a main street.

I found the payphone outside a dusty general store.

My hands trembled as I dialed Mike' s direct line at his unit. He was on a field exercise, but he always had a way to be reached.

It rang three times.

"Collins." His voice, deep and familiar, was a lifeline.

"Mike? It's Sarah." My voice broke.

"Sarah? What's wrong? You sound terrible." Concern sharpened his tone.

"I... I made a mistake coming here, Mike. It' s bad. I need to leave. Can you... can you still come get me?"

"What happened? Are you hurt?"

"No, not physically. But I can't stay. Please."

A pause. "The tenth. I can be there on the tenth. That' s the earliest I can break away. Can you hold on until then?"

"Yes," I whispered. "Ten days."

"Good. Keep your head down, Sarah. Don't cause any trouble. Don't trust anyone you don't have to. I'll be there."

"Okay, Mike. Thank you."

"Always, sis. Stay safe."

He hung up.

I leaned against the grimy phone booth, tears finally escaping.

Ten days. I could do this.

Back at the volunteer camp, I saw Jake trying to approach me. He had a small, wilted wildflower in his hand.

"Sarah, I got this for you..."

Brenda appeared from nowhere. "Oh, Jake, that's so sweet! But Sarah's allergic to those, remember? They make her sneeze." She plucked it from his hand. "I'll take it, so it doesn't go to waste."

She gave me a saccharine smile.

I just looked at them. "I'm not allergic."

I walked away, leaving them standing there. I didn't need their drama, their pathetic attempts to reel me back in.

I ate my dinner alone, the locket a comforting weight under my shirt.