In only a couple of hours, we’ve reached the out-of-the-way township where we halt only briefly to fill our tank with gas, and then I direct Burgundy back to my camper.
It’s deserted. I know it for sure even before Burgundy pulls to a stop in the clearing near the firepit.
No Molly. No Micah.
“Where are they?” Burgundy asks.
“I don’t know.” All this time, I’ve been waiting to get back home before I fully process what’s happened andmake a plan for dealing with an impending threat, but this isn’t home right now.
Not without Micah and Molly.
“Maybe they’re hunting or something? Or he made a run for food?” I’m just guessing, but it seems reasonable. It’s not even noon yet. It’s possible he’s just out on morning business and took Molly along.
“Oh that could be. Should we wait then?”
“I don’t know. Let’s get cleaned up and changed and see if there’s something to eat, and then we’ll figure it out.”
The first thing I notice on entering the camper is a folded slip of paper on the counter. Everything else is clean and organized exactly the way I’ve always kept it. The main bed is made, and the second bed is folded back into the table.
But there’s a piece of paper folded on the counter with a kitchen knife as a paperweight.
I snatch the note and unfold it to read.
I waited an extra day, but I can’t wait anymore. I know something is wrong. I’m going to Logan. I can’t find and save you on my own, and he’s the only one strong enough to help. Molly is with me. If you get this, please come.
Always yours,
Micah
My hand is shaking as I stare down at the words. My throat aches, and my eyes blur over.
“What does he say?” Burgundy asks.
I can’t speak, so I pass her the note.
After she reads it, she looks up. “He loves you,” she says softly, sounding surprised, almost gratified.
I still can’t get a word out, so I nod mutely.
He does. I know he does. I still don’t really know why, but there’s no way I can deny the truth anymore.
I never should have left him here yesterday morning without a word.
It was as wrong as anything I’ve ever done.
He must have been so hurt. And then so scared when I didn’t come home. I really can’t believe I did that to him.
“So we go to Logan?” Burgundy asks after a moment of silence.
“Yeah.” My voice comes out with a croak, so I clear it. “We go to Logan.”
I knowwhere Logan’s headquarters are located. Everyone in this region knows.
On the motorcycle, it takes about ninety minutes to get there, and once we get close, we have to stop at several checkpoints before we’re allowed through.
Everyone recognizes Burgundy and is pleased and relieved to see her, so we don’t face any holdups or extended questioning—not even at the guard post at the head of the driveway that leads to his main headquarters.
It used to be some sort of large commercial property, but it’s been turned into a fortress now. It would take alarge army to wage an assault, and even then they might not be able to take this place down.
