Thirty-Six

Seph, Vaughn, Trip, Clara, and I watch from the windows above as the cops’ vehicle pulls away before we head down ourselves.

Outside, I take a long, deep breath. Air has never felt so good. Unlike before this time, I’m really free, and Vaughn and I completed what we said we’d do. I let the breath out, and a cloud of sadness fills my chest in its place.

Seph nudges me in the side. “What’s wrong?”

“It feels weird that it’s over, doesn’t it?” I say.

Clara gazes up to the sky. “Yeah, I guess this means we’re all supposed to go home now or something.” But she doesn’t move.

Home. I don’t even know where that is. And how strange is that? I’ve spent only the last few days with all of them, but already it feels so lonely, thinking that in a few short minutes they’ll all be gone. As weird as this has been, they mean something more than just the people who broke out of prison with me. Even more than friends maybe.

Seph presses into my side. “What are you going to do now?”

I shrug. What am I going to do? “I need to get back to Ruthie.” I smile at Clara, then stare up at the building Dad could’ve been in just a little while ago. Did he get out? Was he even there to begin with? Is he okay? “And I guess I need to figure out where my family is.” Maybe Dad will find me again, or maybe it’s my turn to find them. Either way, I’m not going to sit around and wait.

Trip pretends to pull out a SOUL. “My schedule’s pretty clear if you need some help.” He smiles. “I don’t really want to go home anyway. Not sure they’d want me, either.”

“I’m free, too.” Clara perks up. “You know, if you need the company.”

“I bet you’re going to need someone who’s good with computers,” Seph says with a smile.

“You’re never leaving my sight again.” Vaughn loops her arm in mine.

“I guess we should get to work, then.” I smile now, too. I might not know where my parents and brother are, but at least I still have a family, no matter how dysfunctional we are.

My gaze settles in the distance. Beyond those buildings is a small island where Ironport Detention stands. The same prison I escaped from with my new friends. Now hopefully when Ruiz reads all those files, it too, will finally be exposed, and the truth behind whatever’s going on there will come out.

A few days ago, I was just a number, now I know my name is Hazel Jane Prinster—but my real friends call me Lezah. And with their help, I finally remember where I came from, and with them by my side, wherever I go next, I’ll never feel alone again.

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