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My smile becomes a toothy sob. I'm crying with my mouth open. “I'll wait as long as I have to.”

- Chapter 3 -

Laiken

Annie observes me sayingmy goodbyes. She's quiet the whole while, watching from the sidelines. I wonder what she thinks about all this. Is it easy for her to tear apart a happy family? My mother is right: she's a cold-hearted bitch.

I face Annie, waiting for what's next.

She lifts her thin eyebrows high. “Aren't you going to pack anything?”

“Why?” I scan the cabin and shrug. “I'll be back.”

She doesn't respond, her lips sliding into an amused smile. Looking over me, she nods at my parents. “I'll be in touch.” Her sharp heels take her out onto the porch. I trail her reluctantly, the smothering despair starting to work its way up my legs as this becomes real.

One of the soldier-like men hands her an umbrella. Annie pops it open, shielding herself from the rain. She stops to talk to three guys waiting at the bottom of the steps. I don't know what she whispers, but all of them bow their heads.

“Laiken.” I turn, staring up at my Dad.

“It's okay,” I assure him—myself. “I'll see everyone again soon.”

“Lolly...”

“I'mfine.” The words come out hard. But I'm trying not to fall apart, and his pet name for me, this pity, is too much. I make myself smile. It gives me a headache. “Take care of things and... don't let Dean grow up too quickly!” My throat hurts and I'm almost relieved when Annie shouts my name.

I don't want to leave my home.

But the sooner I go, the sooner I'll be back. I'm certain of it.

Darting through the drizzle, I pull up short just outside the range of her umbrella. I don't want her help. Not even with this. Annie opens the back door of the shiny car. Inside, it smells like the flowers by the riverbed after they've been pressed between the pages of a book. I love drying them out like that.

“In,” she says. I climb over the leather seats, feeling some delight in how my muddy shoes mess up the pristine interior. “Seatbelt,” she instructs me. I clip it into place, and she slams the door shut.

For a minute I'm alone in a bubble - just the rain trampling the roof and me.

Annie opens the driver's side, tossing her wet umbrella on the floor near me. Another man gets in on the passenger side. I can't recognize him, they all blur together with their close-cut hair and crisp suits.