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Father McCall gives me one last smile through the window, attempting to reassure me, then he shoves his hands into his pockets and starts walking down the street.

I glance at the dashboard and note the time—it’s a quarter to five. Usually at this time, I’d be exhausted and in my cell. Praying and getting ready to go to sleep.

When I glance back up and peer through the windshield, he’s already gone. Most likely disappearing around the corner.

Flipping the card he left for me back and forth between my fingers, I squirm uneasily in my seat as the minutes pass by.

Night has begun to fall, casting its shadow on this unfamiliar city. While a few businesses have their signs lit up, most of them are closing, and I note the sidewalks are emptying.

I have no idea what part of town we’re in, but it looks like we could be downtown somewhere.

Only a few people pass by the car, paying me no attention. Their heads are usually down and they walk quickly, as if they have somewhere important to be.

I know it’s not safe to be outside at night as a human from when I was younger. Not that I ever had a chance to do such a thing.

While Boston’s main strips and streets are mostly safe because they’re patrolled by the Order’s hunters, there’s always the risk of running into a vampire that’s hungry enough to take the chance of scoring a meal.

Glancing occasionally at the bus station entrance to my right, I see the inside lit up bright and several people from all walks of life hanging about. Most seem to be waiting with backpacks slung over their shoulders or luggage resting at their feet.

I assume that the few I see with nothing in their hands or at their feet are simply waiting for someone to arrive.

Why the bus station is even operating this late mystifies me. But Father McCall did say this city is practically owned by the Order. Maybe it’s safer than other cities?

And if that’s the case, I should probably be more worried about running into a hunter than a vampire that might eat me.

The thought of Jeffrey somehow catching up to me momentarily chills the blood in my veins. We only stopped once on our way here that I know of.

We stopped at a small shopping center to buy me a few sets of new clothes. Nothing fancy. Just some simple shirts and pants to help me blend in better. I have everything I’m not wearing stuffed into a backpack in the backseat.

But what if that one stop was enough to give the hunters in Boston enough time to reach us before we can leave?

The sky grows darker and darker and the moon replaces the sun.

Looking at the dashboard, I see there’s only ten minutes remaining.

“Come on, where are you?” I say impatiently and drum my fingers against the glovebox.

Narrowing my eyes and staring through the windshield, I will for Father McCall to appear.

Telling myself he should be here any second now.

But the ten minutes fly by and he doesn’t return.

My anxiety reaching its peak, I keep telling myself just one more minute…

As an entire new hour passes.

“Dammit!” I curse and slam my hands against the glovebox in frustration before covering my face.

What am I supposed to do? I know I promised, but I’m utterly terrified.

It’s completely dark outside now. The sidewalks are empty and there could vampires or hunters lurking anywhere.

Spreading my fingers, I peek at the bus station and see there are only a few people lingering in the lobby. Mostly men.

Great.

I’m totally doomed.