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Rose Town was beautiful in the summer. A city in a garden, trees down every street, shade for a hot summer, birdsong.

But in the cold, with brown leaves cluttering the roads, there was nothing to obscure the decay.

Someone had set up a garbage can fire, and people from school were gathered around it. Hollis could see candlelight brightening the windows of the buildings closest to the city line. They were in the town, but just barely.

He pulled the car onto the gravel, far from where the others were parked. In a better position to drive off if anything happened.

“You come here more often than most people do,” Annie said. “Any of the houses your favorite?”

“I don’t go in the houses.”

Annie sat there, worrying her lip between her teeth. She bounced her knee anxiously but didn’t get out.

“It’ll be fine.”

“You don’t know that,” Annie said quietly.

Hollis reached over and tugged the sleeves of her thick sweater down over her hands.

“We’ll take care of each other,” he promised. “No matter what happens, I’m getting you home.”

Annie took a deep breath.

“My pa will kill you if I die here.” She laughed dryly.

Hollis reached across her lap and opened her door. “Let’s get this over with.”