Time is Running Out

Chapter 12

"Rachel!"
 
"Emma!"
 
"Girls!"
 
"Gemma! Laura!"
 
"Tammy!"
 
"Lily!"
 
"Verinia!"
 
"Mom!"
 
"Aunt!"
 
"Grandma!"
 
Rachel's maid-- as her mom was the queen of Tenala she couldn't come, Emma's sister, Joy's mom, Gemma's mom/ Laura's aunt and Tammy's grandma were all there.
 
"Ok, now tell us what happened," Josie demanded. "Because none of you are going!"
 
"What?!" Rachel shrieked.
 
"Well, we won't tell you unless you let us go! And Joy might be in danger so every moment you waste might put her in more danger!" Emma threatened.

All the adults exchanged a Look－one that said "there's no other choice"－sadly.
 
"Please," Rachel pleaded. "Let us go! Joy's still out there and she's counting on us!"
 
Rachel could see the concern and doubt that was still in the adults' eyes.
 
"Please…" Emma whispered.
 
Josie took a deep breath. "Fine. But... you all, please be careful..."
 
"Thank you," Emma, Rachel, Gemma and Laura said (Tammy said, "thank-you-so-much- I--", but that was as far as she got before Gemma shushed her.)
 
"You aren't going! Emma, Rachel and Gemma are the only ones going!" Laura's aunt (Gemma's mom) and Tammy's grandma exclaimed.
 
"Awwwwwww!" they sighed but let themselves be led away.

 
Josie repacked the girls' backpacks, replacing them with belts. Then, she gave them to the three.
 
"Goodbye," Josie whispered. "Find my daughter for me."
 
"Goodbye," Rachel's maid Lily mumbled. "Take care."
 
"Goodbye," Emma's sister said. "Stay safe."
 
The girls nodded and hugged their respective relative or guardian. There were lumps in their throats that prevented them from speaking.
 
Gemma stood by a distance. Her mom had already left with Laura.
 
Knowing this might be the last time they saw their families, the girls waved, as they stepped into the tunnel to the aircraft where their families couldn't follow, with glistening tears in their eyes.
 
Josie, Verinia and Lily followed them with their eyes.
 
Finally, they rounded a corner and disappeared from Josie, Verinia and Lily's eyes.
 
Josie turned away, unable to watch anymore. "May He be with you," she mumbled.