Page 49 of No One Aboard

“I don’t understand. Where could he be taking us?”

The carpet blurred in front of Tia. She couldn’t blink or cry, only stare straight ahead as her best laid plans turned to dust.

He wasn’t taking them home to Florida.

But Florida was where all of Tia’s things were. She had a mason jar of cash on her dresser, rain boots in the closet, a travel pack that could easily fit half a dozen outfits and a sleeping bag. She had everything she needed to run.

Tia’s fingers dug into her scalp as a horrible thought took shape.

What if Dad knew about my plan?

Why else would he change their destination? He was trying to mess with her head, show her who was in control. She had to get out of here, contact the outside world, and cut off this random surprise vacation.

Tia forced herself to calm. No, he couldn’t have known. Hehadn’t even seen her since last August when she got on the jet for St. Bernadette’s.

“I don’t understand,” Tia repeated.

From the end of his bed, Rylan was making swirls in the carpet with his toe, chin dropped to his chest.

Tia dropped her hands and zeroed in on her brother. “Why aren’t you saying anything?”

Rylan didn’t look up. “I—I don’t know what to say.”

“Did you... know about this?” Tia couldn’t help the note of accusation that crept in her tone.

Rylan looked at her, shoulders scrunched to make himself small. “No.”

“You’re not reacting like normal.”

“What’s normal?”

A panic attack.Tia bit her tongue. “You just... You’re not even upset. You hate surprises.”

Rylan shifted around the bed, not meeting her eyes. “It’s just more vacation. Dad seems so excited.”

Tia pushed against the wall and stood. She didn’t want to be angry at him, but her frustration filled every inch of her, and Rylan was in her line of sight, not even reacting to the massive wrench in her plan. He wasn’t even mentioning it.

“Rylan,” Tia said in an effort to keep her voice even, “you realize I can’t run away until he takes us home. I can’t survive any extra time with them.”

They hadn’t talked about running away since MJ’s death, but Tia was more certain about running than ever. Rylan had to understand.

Instead, he stood, hands in his pockets and chin to his chest. “I’m going to go...”

Tia folded her arms. “Are you at least going to come up with an excuse?”

Rylan kept his head down and left the room without another word.

What. The. Hell.

Was he hiding something? Either he knew about Francis’s surprise or... Or what? He wanted Tia to stay so badly that he was celebrating the change in their destination? No, that couldn’t be it. He wouldn’t have acted so guilty.

So why would he be guilty?

MJ.

Tia paced the cabin between the two twin beds.

He’s relieved we aren’t going home because MJ’s death won’t be reported right away. Because if MJ’s death is Rylan’s fault...