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She ss hard because I’ht now, I’ trap and become invisible Because you don’t want this kind of attention froer down the body of the vehicle It’s not a car I’ve ever seen It’s not open-topped, like the Jeeps everyone drives near o on the side of the dusty black body I bend down and squint my eyes in the dark Hummer

I’ve heard of those

I would probably not be able to drive this thing since I have never actually driven anything bigger than a golf cart on land, but I knoork a trunk at least I walk around back and open the cargo area It’s smaller than it looks from the outside, but then I notice it’s beenshallow tubs are hidden underneath the false floor of the back I pull one out and it’s filled with gear First-aid kit Basic hygiene things Other things I can’t identify, but it looks like a bug-out kit to ainst my side--I have one Only this one in the back of the Huitimate Mine’s filled with cut-off shorts and tank tops An extra pair of flip flops and some hair ties

I push the bin back in and pull out the second one

Inside are two guns, like two dozen boxes of auns are loaded with a round in the chauns on the ship Lots of guns But I have never so hter Yeah, they could pick ured that anyone who kills the Adonna end up dead sooner rather than later So I’ve never worried tooso inept eapons

But now? I’m not so sure that my familial relationship is a benefit

Still, how hard could it be? As long as I don’t accidentally shoot myself

I take one and stuff it in the waistband of uards wear theun I don’t even want to hold this gun But it’s stupid not to have it on me when it’s available Jah ht of hi all by itself

I push the bin back in but it stops before it reaches the end Soun bin all the way back out and set it on top of the cargo area

A notebook is flattened up against the back I peer into the darkness as I ins to beat faster

A pink Hello Kitty notebook Worn and bent Like it’s been through hell Like it’s seen things

My hands are shaking as I pull it out and take it over to the side door where I caht reaches it and the familiar cartoon hits me so hard, I almost fall over

This isheart, open the dirty cover, and try to co In pink crayon I turn the book sideways so I can see it clearly and e and there is sloppy printed handwriting in pencil that’s too faded to read in the dinificance to sink in

He… Jao area, close the back door, and exit the garage, walking quickly over to the back porch of the prefabricated house I step lightly up the stairs, shove the house key into the lock and open the door

The air-conditioning is on full blast and the cold air assaults me and takes my breath away for aan icon on the screen

Was someone just here?

I close the door behind ger, right? The gun and the notebook trade places in an instant "I’ll shoot you, whoever you are!" I yell I hold the gun with the barrel pointing up I un before, but I’ve seen how it’s done I kno our guards carried them I’ and living room, which only has a few pieces of furniture, so I know that no one is in this roo the wall towards the bedroo each one, and each closet I check the bathrooms, the pantry, the front porch, and a so back to the phone on the counter with a little relief, and then press the ho icon is there and it says New Message

I press the tab and a text et why this is happening There’s a little icon at the end of the text that looks like it rab the phone and hold it to my chest Is this Nick? Was he here? Someone had to drop this phone off Oh, I’m so happy! I run to the front door and throw it open I want to screaonna coe, but I want to scream out how much I love and miss him so he’ll know

But I catch ether It’s so close--the worst year of ether a little longer So I liftdown the driveway and I wave to inary brother