Chapter 1

The gas station owner, Mr. Lloyd, rolled up the metal shutter.

I sat on a plastic chair, clutching three backpacks.

He recognized me and looked out at the empty highway.

"Your friends aren't back yet?"

I shook my head and tucked Ethan’s forgotten charger into my side pocket.

Mr. Lloyd handed me a cup of hot water. "Where's the truck?"

"They went ahead to the next campsite."

My voice sounded raspy, even to me.

Yesterday at dusk, Ethan unloaded two boxes of gear.

He said he and Juliet were going to the salt flats to shoot night timelapses.

I wanted to go. He pointed at the equipment stack instead.

"This stuff costs more than the vehicle. Someone needs to guard it."

Juliet stood by the passenger door, chiming in.

"Diana, you don't do photography anyway. You'll just freeze out there. We'll come right back for you."

I believed them.

I waited from sunset until pitch black. I waited until the station lights went off.

Cell service flickered. I called Ethan seven times. He never answered.

Mr. Lloyd offered me a cot inside, but I stayed by the door all night so they wouldn't miss me.

At dawn, Juliet posted nine photos to the class group chat.

Someone asked where I was. She sent a playful emoji.

“Diana hates staying up late. She stayed back for her beauty sleep!”

Comments flooded in, teasing that she and Ethan looked like newlyweds on a honeymoon.

Ethan didn't correct them. He just liked the post.

I finished my water and used Mr. Lloyd's landline to call the bus station.

The next coach passed through at noon, headed to a town two hundred miles back.

I booked a seat. Then I separated the three bags and took only mine.

Ethan’s pack contained stomach medicine, knee braces, and a light jacket.

I had packed every single item for him before we left.

He always said I was thoughtful. He said with me around, he would never lose anything.

Mr. Lloyd watched me leave the other two bags behind the counter.

"Not taking theirs?"

"No. They have the truck."

At noon, Ethan finally texted.

“Just got service back. We drove further out chasing the light last night.

“Juliet wasn't feeling well, so she slept in the rig. Don't overthink it.”

A drop pin followed.

“Find a way over here. The inn only has two rooms tonight. Split them up when you arrive.”

I stared at the words ‘find a way over here’ and turned off the screen.

Every trip was like this. I booked the rooms, mapped the routes, and cleaned up their messes.

He always walked ahead, knowing I would follow.

Not this time.

The bus was two hours away. I borrowed a pen and left a note under their bags.

“Gear is behind the counter. Pay Mr. Lloyd for storage.”

Mr. Lloyd asked if I wanted to leave anything else.

I set the pen down. "No. That's all.”