Finlay climbs in behind the wheel as Dougie rushes out with my softball bag and my backpack, placing them into the back seat. My heart begins to ache.
My da is gone? What does that mean? I look to Finlay to ask for answers and freeze.
Finlay Black looks so much like his sister and brother, so of course, my mind goes right to Cole. I wish he were here with me to tell me everything is going to be okay.
If I’m going to Scotland, will I ever see him again? His grandfather is gone. It seems like America has become his home from now on.
I can’t help but feel like I’m losing everyone I care about. I think I’m in shock because I still can’t wrap my mind around the fact that my da is gone.
“Buckle up, love. We need to go,” Finlay commands, pulling me from my thoughts.
I reach for my seat belt and click it into place. Dougie stands outside the vehicle, looking somber. I can’t help but wonder if he knew all this last night when he sent us to bed. Dougie raps the bonnet of the SUV with his knuckles right before Finlay peels off as soon as I’m settled.
Looking out the windshield, I notice smoke rising in the distance. I knit my brows as I realize that’s the direction of my home.
I blink a few times as the thick black smoke brings with it the heavy reality that I might never see my home again. My heart begins to race. I look to Finlay, but he’s keeping his eyes straight ahead.
“Is that fire coming from my home?”
“Aye, I have a few of your things in the boot. Everything else is gone.”
“What do you mean?”
“Ye won’t be coming back here. Ireland isn’t safe for ye.”
“Can ya tell me what’s going on?” I ask.
“There’s a bag under yer seat. Yer mum left ye something. It should explain it all for now.”
Tears prick my eyes. His words make everything seem so final. I can’t hold the tears back as I reach under the seat and pull out the bag I know to be my mum’s. For as long as I can remember, this bag has been in her office in our home.
My stomach drops with dread. This can’t be good. Tears stream down my face.
My home is on fire, and my mum has sent someone to collect me and take me away. That has been my home since I was a little girl. I feel like I have stones in my stomach, as I know yesterday was the last time I will see my home.
Somewhere in the back of my mind, I know yesterday morning could have been the last time I’ll see Mum or Da. I swipe at my tears and reach into the bag.
Inside, I find a recorder. I put the earbuds in my ears and press play as I inhale deeply and try to wrap my head around all of this. However, when I hear my mother’s voice, I lose it.
I sob as her words are spoken to me, and reality begins to take root. Devastated isn’t the word for what I’m feeling. I’m completely lost as I listen.
“Deja, if you’re hearing this, Finlay should be with you. If he’s not, I need you to be brave. The most important thing is for you to get to safety. I promise you, this will be made right, but I need you safe.
“From here on out, you trust no one. Your life depends on it. Do you understand?”
I nod as if she’s here and whisper, “Yes.”
Even though I don’t. As we race away from everything I know, I have no idea what’s going on. I remain silent as my mind fills with so many questions. What just happened?
“You need to get to your great-grandmother. You’ll be safe with her. Your uncle Ken will look out for you until things are settled.
“Orla and Ken are family. They’ve always treated us as such. I am positive the two of them will help you.
“There’s so much I want to say. I thought life with Angus would keep us out of this mess. Looks like I was wrong.
“I should have found a way to make everything right years ago. This is my fault,” she says.
There is an awkward pause before she inhales deeply and begins again. “You’re probably thinking you can trust the people I’m leaving you with. However, I meant what I said. Trust no one.
