My husband hit me today. We have been together for well over a decade now and he has never touched me that way before. It only cemented the idea in my mind that I am no longer a person, only a piece of property.
—The diary of Megan Jean
Mia tried her best to tread lightly on the gravel leading up to the car. She went for the driver’s seat while Riley walked around to the other side. The click of the door opening echoed across the sleepy ranch. Mia slid into the front seat and closed the door. Riley climbed in and did the same.
“So where are we going?” a voice asked from the backseat.
Mia let out a shriek. Her heart was thumping in her chest. She turned to defend herself, only to see a smiling Alex sitting in the backseat. Her sister was next to him.
“We weren’t sure which car you would try to take,” Alex said. “So Frank and Laura are guarding the van. We got a little cold and decided to sit inside.”
“What are you guys doing here?”
“You’ve been acting so secretive; today was the worst,” Corinna said. “Then you felt the need to sleep at seven thirty at night? We’re not as stupid as you think.”
“I don’t think you’re stupid,” Mia said.
The back door opened. Frank and Laura slid in. The four were crammed together in the backseat.
“Mia, I know you’ve changed in the past few months, but I’ve known you since the day you were born and can read you,” her mother said. “Now, will you tell us what is going on?”
“We’re going to rescue someone,” Riley said.
“Stop,” Mia said.
“We want to help,” Corinna said.
“I can’t focus on saving Rod if I’m worrying about all of you,” Mia said. “You and Mom especially.”
“So we’re supposed to stay back and worry about you?” Mia’s mother asked.
“We have limited time,” Mia said. “You’re not ready to assist.”
“Mia’s right,” Riley said. “You’ll slow us down.”
“How will I slow you down?” Alex asked.
“Not you so much as them,” Riley said. “I’m sorry, ladies, but you can’t defend yourselves. I was having you learn with the sticks as a distraction.”
“We figured that out the first day,” Mia’s mother said. “Frank and Alex have been teaching us how to fight. We only use the stick in front of the window or when we think you’re watching.”
“I’ve lost too many people already,” Mia said. “If I’m too worried about you I can’t save Rod.”
“Where is Rod?” Alex asked. “Where are you stealing our car and running off to?”
“He’s at Grant’s house,” Mia said.
Everyone started responding at once. It was clear they were not on board with Mia’s plan. Riley whistled and they all got quiet.
“Mia and I know what we’re doing, or at least I do, and Mia is necessary for my strategy.”
“You’re not taking my daughter to a madman alone.”
The group started talking all at once again. This wasn’t part of the plan. Mia felt a vibration coming from her jacket pocket. At first she thought it was a reaction to all the voices speaking at once, but then she remembered her phone. Mia reached in and pulled out the small device to see the number she’d been dialing over and over appear.
“Hello,” Mia said.
She opened the car door and walked away as fast as possible.
“Andrew, are you there?”
“Yes,” Andrew said. “I’m here.”
Mia felt like a weight had been lifted off her chest. He was alive.
“Where have you been?” Mia asked. “Where are you? I shouldn’t have run off like that.”
“I’m safe, for now. It’s so good to hear your voice.”
“I was scared something happened to you.”
“No you weren’t,” Andrew said. “Deep down you knew I was safe, just like I knew you were.”
Mia smiled at his comment. “Where are you?”
“I’m not sure,” Andrew said. “The GPS should work again. You can track me. Where are you?”
“About two hundred miles east of the capital,” Mia said.
“We’re supposed to meet there in twelve hours,” Andrew said.
“Meet where?”
“I won’t know until we get closer,” Andrew said. “I want to come to you.”
“I was about to head that way,” Mia said. “I’m going after Rod.”
“That’s a bad idea,” Andrew said.
“Grant’s house is on a gigantic piece of property an hour south of the capital,” Mia said. “I am going to the area to scope it out and plan our attack.”
“I wish you wouldn’t,” Andrew said. “But I didn’t expect to hear anything else.”
“Will you meet me there?”
“I’m at least eleven hours away,” Andrew said.
“Well then I’ll arrive first,” Mia said.
“I have to hang up,” Andrew said. “We’re on a bit of a time crunch.”
“Please don’t hang up yet,” Mia said.
“We’ll discuss everything in person,” Andrew said.
“All right.”
“Mia,” Andrew said.
“Yes?”
“If you ever leave me for this long again I don’t think I can survive it.”
A bigger smile spread across her face. “I suppose eleven more hours won’t kill you?”
Andrew let out a laugh. “I hope not,” he said. “Protect yourself.”
“I’ll see you soon.”
“Bye.”
With the final word came a click and the line went dead. Mia lowered her phone and went to the map. She highlighted his name and held down seven, prompting the GPS feature. The map zoomed out, covering the entire country. A green dot started flashing. Mia zoomed in on the blinking icon. Andrew was in the Southwest Area, near the borders of the Midwest Area and the Northwest Area.
“Mia?” Corinna asked.
Mia looked up; all of them were out of the car.
“I don’t have time to argue,” Mia said. “I don’t think any of you are stupid. I just wanted to protect you. I feel a bit awkward because the way I treated you was how Andrew treated me, so I understand your anger and hurt. This is a dangerous mission; I don’t want any of you to come, but I won’t stop you from joining.”
Mia looked at the group. They all wore their everyday clothing. Frank’s white T-shirt looked electric in the moonlight.
“You have five minutes to change into dark, fitted clothing,” Mia said. “Whoever is coming, be outside by then. Frank, does the van work?”
“Except for some cosmetic issues,” he said.
“Five minutes,” Mia said.
All four of them went for the house.
“That was a distraction, right?” Riley asked. “We’re leaving while they change?”
“No,” Mia said. “I can’t keep them here. I shouldn’t have tried.”
“I can’t guarantee their safety.”
“Could you have guaranteed mine?” Mia asked.
“No,” Riley said.
“We have to give them the benefit of the doubt,” Mia said. “Besides, we’re not going it alone anymore. Andrew is meeting us there.”
“Now, he’s probably someone I can work with,” Riley said. “Congratulations.”
Mia’s smile faded. Andrew was alive and he was safe, but for how long?