I put on trousers and a jacket. Glance at Mason’s closed bedroom door but don’t knock on it. It’s still early. He won’t expect me to be leaving yet.
Instead of telling him, I pick up his gun, find a lantern, and wake up Bill from his spot on the small rug near the heater so he can come with me instead.
We leave the cottage silently and take the short walk toward the ruins of the old market where I found the jewelry and Bill’s bouncy balls.
The dog is delighted by the unexpected excursion. He snuffles ahead of me, darting from side to side following scents in the night. He’ll know long before me if a predator—human or animal—gets close.
It’s actually kind of scary to walk in the dark like this, especially after what happened earlier today. But for the most part, it’s safe this close to the village, and I have the gun. And Bill, who won’t hesitate to put his big body between me and any danger.
This is my thing. My decision. It’s right for me to do it on my own.
I see two shadows in the dark as I approach the ruins. “It’s me,” I call out, aiming my lantern in their direction.
“Teresa. Are you by yourself?” That’s Annabelle.
“Yes. It’s me.”
When I reach her and Ben, I hug my sister, squeezing her hard before I pull back.
“So you’re coming with us?” Annabelle asks.
Ben has lit his own battery-operated lantern, so there’s enough light now to see faces clearly.
“No,” I say, a little sad because she’s leaving, but the sorrow is not going to stop me. My chest and stomach are settled for the first time all day.
This is right. I know it. Iknowit.
I finally feel better.
“I’m going to stay here with Mason on the farm.”
Annabelle nods, clearly disappointed but attempting to hide it for my sake. “I understand.”
“I’m sorry. I really did think it through like you told me. I get what you were saying yesterday, but I don’t think I’m doing this with blinders on. I know things aren’t good in the Central Cities. I know a lot is wrong with life here. AndI know Father wanted to make this world a better place for us.” My eyes burn as I speak the last sentence.
“He did. He tried. And I want that too. I don’t know how, but I’m going to try to…” She’s so emotional she loses her voice briefly. It surprises me since, even as a child, she always, always refused to cry. “I’m going to try to do what he couldn’t.”
“I know. I know you are. You should. If anyone can make a dent, then it’s you. But we all have our own routes to… to that end. And I think… Iknowthat, in my own small way, making a home in the village and working the farm and maybe having a family…” I smile at her shakily as I finish, “I can make the world a little bit better right here.”
She makes a choked sound and hugs me again. “Yes, you can,” she mumbles as she squeezes me. “I know you can.”
“You’ll come back sometime?” I ask when we finally pull apart.
“I will. I think a year will be long enough to erase any trail of my identity. Chad will find another wife, and when I come back, no one will connect me with who I used to be. I’m not sure what exactly I want to do, but I’ll figure it out. And I’ll return to see you. I promise.”
“Okay. Good. Stay safe.” I turn to look up at Ben, who’s been standing a few steps behind Annabelle all this time. Strong and silent.Present. I really like him, and it’s reassuring to know my sister isn’t alone. “Take care of her.”
“I will.” He nods toward the wide field behind me. “Looks like our ride is coming. They’re here early.”
I turn to see a motor arriving in the dark. He’s right. It’s not midnight yet.
But their ride is here, so I only have a few more minutes to say goodbye to my sister.
It’s still not midnight when the motor drives over the tallest hill and vanishes into the dark, carrying Annabelle and Ben away.
I stroke Bill’s head, aiming my lantern toward the farm. “You’re a real good boy. I’m glad we found you.”
He pants happily and wags his tail.
