a

nobody had cleaned it since 2015. But I kept staring through

Northern Pa

he crumpled newspaper you found in a gas station bathroom. More trees than ho

. It felt like, someone was going to

with the other passengers, most of whom looked like they'd just finished twelve-

or a minute, ta

of the terminal were crumbling, covered in peeling posters and graffiti. A group of kids were skateboarding throug

me. He was clearly waiting for the next bus. "Do you know

wn like I'd just asked

. I waited a full minute,hoping he'd chan

t start, Maya. Really nailing

e heading in one general direction, figuring they p

nto an actual street, th

ere. And hot. My skin im

w shops were scattered around, most of them looking like they might

doubt cras

as a mistake,

mly. "You made the right

phina play happy family. It meant everyone whispering about the pathetic ex-Lun

g was the

. He'd been worried, obviously, but he understo

growling. The old lady behind it smiled when she saw me, which was

bagged them up and I paid, then looke

n I saw th

to stock up on a

trying to stick to a strict budget. I had a few thousand do

mething baking. Bread

asically scr

was watching, then stuck my hand in

et and I demolished it in about thirty s

without making yourse

-chew and t

sle behind me, looking at my

massive chunk of plu

suming. Like your brain shuts off and you just have to eat. But slow down, honey. The

my face burning

, though. She actually seemed nice, which was such

needed, then called after

rent around here? I just moved to th

above the restaurant I own. It's just a block from here." She ge

elief. "That would be ama

n, foll

er word, the restaurant was literally right around the corne

me inside. It was cute. Cozy. The kind of p

luggage behind the counter

you want. We'll look at th

and honestly, it was the best decision I'd made all day. Okay, it tasted a lit

man slid into the seat acros

ly. "I love the souffle. I'

by. Growing babies need all the nutrients they can

ay

rown. That's what ever

t brings you all the way to Northern Pack? I

change, you know? Sometimes when you need to heal, the best thing y

t zone, I'd never leave. That place is paradise compa

"I like how quiet it is. Feels lik

to her feet. "Come on, let's go look at

The door looked like it was being held together by sheer

as way dustier than the restaurant.

t open and stepped inside, immediately goi

looded the

ely big enough for the bed, a tiny kitchenette

re's running water, a kitchen for home-cooked meals, even a little bal

ed to say it was too small,

I needed a roof over my head

e it,"

ds together. "Wonderf

ch is t

s. We charge twice a year, so that'l

and I had no idea how long I'd need to make it last. But I ne

aid. "Where

l get you a receip

oked thrilled, which seemed like a weird reaction, b

d!" she said cheerfully, then

at the room again.

every surface. The walls were

ine. You'll stay here until the baby com

ors. Washing bathroom tiles. Wiping down windows.

en changing clothes, my eyes closin

ti

BANG

wake, my h

he door. No, not pounding

son. Mason

off the bed and looked around wild

ding got

oor explod

to the room and grabbed me