Chapter 4

Jasmine’s finals were the day before I left.

Mom got up early to curl her hair and choose her earrings.

For once, Dad took half a day off. He said he’d drive her to Silver Moon Pack himself.

Connor was still asleep, but Mom hadn’t forgotten him.

She’d left an egg sandwich and milk in the kitchen with a note bearing his name.

By the time I folded my blanket in the storage room, she was ready to leave.

“Keep an eye on Connor. Make him something for lunch. Don’t let him fill up on chips again.”

I went over and stopped her by the door.

“Mom, I need to tell you and Dad something.”

She kept rummaging through her bag for the car keys. She wasn’t listening.

“Where’s your dad? Does he have the keys?”

“Tomorrow, I—”

“Did you find the keys?” she called past me.

Dad came down the hall and held them up.

“Come on. We’ll hit traffic if we leave any later.”

I stood between them and swallowed the rest of my sentence.

Jasmine came over with her costume bag and dance shoes. Her skirt brushed my hand.

“Bye, Abby.”

I paused, smoothed her hair, and said only, “Good luck.”

The three of them went out.

As the door closed, I could still hear Mom reminding Dad.

“Did you put the water and fruit in the car? Jasmine forgets to eat when she’s nervous.”

I sat quietly on the couch and looked at the clutter on the table.

Jasmine’s open shoebox. Connor’s game controller. A patrol schedule Dad had left there.

Nothing belonged to me.

Connor finally got up at twelve.

He opened the fridge and looked around.

“Where’s my chicken? There was some left.”

“Mom told me to have it for lunch.”

He turned to me, his face darkening.

“That was mine.”

I didn’t answer. I took his sandwich out of the oven and put it in front of him.

He lifted the bread and looked at the egg inside.

“I don’t want this. Make me a burger.”

“Go buy one yourself.”

“I’ve spent my allowance.”

I stared at him for a moment.

He was fifteen and already several inches taller than me. Mom packed him two lunches every day because she worried training would wear him out.

Yet he wouldn’t even sort out one meal for himself.

“Then eat what’s on the table.”

“Seriously? How much does a burger cost?”

I ignored him and went back into the living room to finish packing.

I put in my charger, toiletries, and the last pair of shoes, then zipped the suitcase shut.

Connor came over with his milk. He stopped when he saw the case.

“You’re leaving? Where are you going?”

“To work.”

He looked slightly surprised. “Where?”

I gave a small smile instead of answering directly.

“Somewhere far away.”

“Oh.”

He lost interest and took his milk back to his room to play games.

Mom and Dad returned with Jasmine at five.

She’d only placed seventh, but Mom was still delighted.

She took a coat from a shopping bag and held it up against Jasmine.

“Do you like it? You worked so hard at the competition. This is your reward.”

Jasmine clung to Mom’s arm.

“Thanks, Mom.”

Connor poked his head out of his room.

“What about me?”

“Oh, stop. This is Jasmine’s reward.”

They laughed and talked by the door. Shopping bags covered half the couch.

I picked up my suitcase to make room for them.

The whole time, it was as though I wasn’t there.

By eleven, everyone had gone to bed.

My suitcase stood by the front door. Still, no one noticed.

I sat on the couch through the night without sleeping. At four, the car I’d booked pulled up outside.

I closed the door quietly behind me and carried my suitcase down the steps.

At six, I was sitting in the bus station when Mom texted.

“You’ve gone out? Pick up some salmon on your way back. We’re celebrating Jasmine tonight, and Connor wants some too.”

I hesitated, then left it unanswered.

Ten minutes later, Jasmine sent me a private message.

“Connor says you’re going somewhere far away for work. Are you upset?”

“No.”

“Then why didn’t you tell Mom and Dad?”

The driver opened the luggage compartment and began calling for passengers to board.

I picked up my backpack and typed my reply.

“I never got the chance.”

“Tell them for me, okay?”

I put my phone away, handed my suitcase to the driver, and got on the bus.

Just then, Greer from Silverfrost Pack sent a message.

“Abby, I’ll pick you up. Wait inside the station when you arrive. Don’t try walking up the mountain on your own.”