When Lee witnesses a murder, her only chance at survival is running. Somewhere along the way she meets a man who takes her to The Runaway House, a safe place for fugitives and runaways. There she begins to find peace, courage, love, and a real famil...
That night, as the sunset fades into a deep blue, we light the fire. The yard is still quiet, but we're buzzing with anticipation. Summer is at its peak, and we couldn't be more ready.
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For most of the day, I stayed by Travis's side, attempting to learn the inner workings of automobiles. While I might've failed, it was nice to work with him.
We're still together, mostly because I don't have anywhere else to go to. I survey the area around the bonfire. Samantha is speaking darkly to Ben in the shadows. His face looks twisted in the light of the fire, his smile cunning, amused.
I begin to wonder what they're whispering about, but Travis's fingers glide down my arm.
"How are you feeling?" His voice is low, his eyes locked on the fire.
"Better. And worse."
"I saw you and Samantha earlier." His voice is laced with concern. "What happened?"
"I—" My words catch in my throat, and my stomach twists. "Maybe we should talk about it later." Suddenly, the fire, the people, the smells of marshmallows roasting—it's all too much. I stumble back.
"Lee?" Even in the dark, the worry on his face is obvious.
"I'm okay." Can I say it? I said it to Samantha. But can I say it to Travis?
And do I have to say it first?
He clears his throat. "Uh, how's your hand?"
"Good. Better, I think." In the dim light, it's hard to see. The skin that had gotten scraped off has already begun to heal. "It doesn't hurt anymore. Not really." I nudge him. "Thanks."
He smiles, but there's suspicion behind it. "As long as you're okay."
I let my pinky finger find his. "I will be, Travis."
Then I notice Ben staring at us, and I grab Travis's hand, my fingers digging into it. His gaze follows mine.
"Lee, did he do something to you? Threaten you? If he has—"
"Um . . ." I think of Samantha and him behind the barn, of the things I said, of the words he spat at me. You'll regret that. I glance at Travis. How many things have I been keeping from him? "I might've . . . He might've . . ."
My eyes find Ben's again, cold, terrifying. I shiver. Then I turn to Travis, knowing that if something does go wrong tonight, at least he'll be there for me.
"I found him threatening Samantha. Stood up to him. I just couldn't bear to watch the fear in her eyes. He threatened me, yes, but he hasn't done anything yet."
"Biding his time," Travis growls, glaring darkly at the ground. "Why didn't you tell me?"
I blush, grateful that the dark conceals it. "I thought you'd be upset. Since you told me not to."
