ana

ion. People with vacant, hollow eyes shuffled along the sidewalks, past overflowing trash can

ray in my pocket. Every shadow seemed to hold a threat. But the

to convince the terrified superintendent to let me in. When I finally opene

of relief and fear. She hugged me tightly

her. "Everything's going to

y, and that Bryant had arranged everything. The lie felt like gravel in my throat,

ade it. As we stepped into the cool, quiet lob

re sitting on the couch, looking at a data slate. The

ite smile for my mother. "Caro

other said, oblivious. She gave him a warm hug. "

eyes flicking to me over her sh

m to settle in, he grabbed my arm and pull

you're doing?" he hissed, hi

my mother," I said,

portioned precisely for two people for the next twenty-

n't believe what I was hearing. "The woman whose li

his face cold and hard. "This is not about emotion, it's

u mean your departure plan with her." I jerked my head tow

you a clear, logical plan for your own survival. A gen

schedule for black market food deliveries. A list of guarded "safe

slate, and with a surge of cold fury, I snapped it in h

disbelief. "Are yo

oice came from the living room. "Adr

out of the kitchen, and I followed. My mother was standing

poke volumes. "Mom, this is Katia Hodges," I said, the words feeling foreign in my mo

even worse th

athy. "It's so dangerous out there. It's wonderful that you have

rigid. He couldn't bri

steering her toward her room. "Just a

aid with a cheerful laugh. "It's li

ce was a ph

the living room. Bryant was waiting for me,

stated, his voice dangerously

," I

o you have any idea how impossible that is? The securit

tt. Of the name Carolina Pearson,

s. The eyes of a man who thought he held all the

time, I smiled. A genuine, confident

Bryant," I said softl