Chapter 4

Today was the day the whole family was driving Emma to Boston for college.

I sat obediently in the back seat, so happy.

Because it was the first time in months they'd been willing to take me anywhere with them.

Mom sat in the passenger seat and turned around to give Emma gentle reminders.

"Take good care of yourself at college. If you run short on money, just tell me."

As he drove, Caleb glanced at me in the rearview mirror.

"With your sister's old grades, she'd have gotten into Kingsley University, no problem.

"But since she chose to turn in a blank test, that's on her.

"You won't have your sister at school with you, so you'll need to keep your wits about you."

Hearing that, I was stunned for a second, and then I burst out laughing.

"What are you guys talking about?

"The entrance exam isn't for another two years!

"Did Emma lie and tell you she got into Kingsley? Emma, you're such a joker, haha!"

Screech!

The moment the words left my mouth, Caleb slammed on the brakes.

The car went deathly silent.

Everyone turned and stared at me like I was some kind of monster.

"Lily, have you lost your mind?"

Caleb gritted his teeth, his eyes full of disgust.

Mom's face went ashen. She jabbed a finger in my face and exploded.

"Not only did you turn in a blank test, now you're spreading lies about your sister!

"You can't stand to see her do well, can you? You ungrateful little brat!"

Mom threw open the back door.

"Get out! I don't want to see you!"

Caleb gave me a hard shove, and I stumbled out of the car.

Bang!

The door slammed shut.

The car sped off, kicking up a cloud of dust.

I stood beside the highway interchange with traffic rushing past, stunned.

I fumbled the notebook and pen out of my pocket and, with shaking hands, wrote on the newest page: "Mom told me to get lost. She said she doesn't want to see me."

The moment I finished the last word, my hand stopped.

In the next second, my mind went blank.

Cars sped past, whipping up gusts of wind that howled in my ears.

I looked up and glanced around, confused.

What... was I supposed to be doing?

Why was I standing on the side of the road?

Suddenly, a beat-up van pulled up right in front of me.

The window rolled down, and a heavyset middle-aged man leaned out, looking me up and down.

"Hey there, kiddo. What are you doing out here all alone?

"Where do you live? How about I give you a ride home?"

I opened my mouth, but my mind was empty.

"I live at... Where... where do I live?"

The man exchanged a look with the man in the passenger seat, and something in his eyes changed.

He opened the door, got out, and lowered his voice.

"Then what's your name, sweetie?"

I tried desperately to remember.

"My name is Lily... Lily what?"

The man smiled.

He grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the van.

"I know you. Come on, I'll take you home."

I let him lead me into the van in a daze.

"Really? You can take me home?"

"Of course. Hop in."

The van's sliding door slammed shut and swallowed me whole.

Two days later.

Mom and Caleb came home.

As Mom changed her shoes, she called toward my room, "Lily, why haven't you answered my messages these past few days?

"Was I too harsh in the car? I've thought it over, and I lost my temper. I'm sorry."

Caleb chimed in too.

"I owe you an apology too.

"I bet you've been living on takeout for days, huh? Come on out. I brought you a box of cannoli from Boston..."

Caleb walked over and pushed open my bedroom door. His voice broke off.

The room was completely empty.