The truck stopped again. It was too soon. I listened to the man walk to the back of the truck and open the doors. I hoped we were long out of America’s borders.
—The diary of Megan Jean
Everyone spent the morning on edge. Greg left after breakfast and the rest of them couldn’t do much but worry or think. Mia felt like time was standing still, but once the clock struck noon she couldn’t believe the morning was already over with.
“Are you ready?” Frank asked.
He rose from the kitchen table. The two groups started saying their good-byes. Mia went to Riley first.
“Are you going to wish me luck?” Mia asked.
“No,” Riley said. “You don’t need it.”
The two shared a quick hug before Mia moved on to Rod.
“I’ll see you later tonight,” Rod said.
“I’m sorry you can’t come with,” Mia said.
“Someone needs to stay here and guard the house,” Rod said.
He squeezed Mia’s shoulder before she went to Carter.
“Good luck, princess,” Carter said.
“I’m no princess,” Mia said.
He brushed a piece of hair behind her ear. “I never said thank you,” Carter said. “For saving my dad.”
“Because you didn’t have to,” Mia said.
She leaned in and embraced Carter. He squeezed her tight. “You will always be my princess,” he whispered.
He let go of Mia and she turned to see Andrew, who stood by her side.
“I don’t like separating from you again,” he said.
“After tonight you won’t have to,” Mia said.
Andrew leaned down and kissed her. Mia tried her best to ignore the ooohs and ahhhs coming from her friends. She broke away from him and started walking toward the door, not wanting to make this harder than it already was. He didn’t let go of her hand and pulled her back in.
“If something goes wrong . . . ,” Andrew said.
“I won’t let you say good-bye,” Mia said. “I will see you tonight.”
She leaned in and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before turning down the hallway. Every ounce of her being wanted to turn around, but she was scared that if she caught a look at Andrew’s face she would crumble with fear.
Mia went into the garage with the rest of her group. Greg had managed to procure a car for them. Mia had never asked what he did with her mother’s body, but she told herself it didn’t matter. Mia carried a piece of her mother’s soul with her, and after tonight so would the rest of the world.