“Don’t you think it was them?” I ask.

“I’m not sure,” she says.

“Who do you think it was, then?” My stomach clenches as a wave a sickness pummels me, and I press my forehead to the seat.

“I don’t know, but you have to stay strong,” she says. “I understand it’s hard.”

We whip around another curve, and, bracing myself, I catch her smiling.

“This is fun for you?” I ask, swallowing the metallic taste in my mouth.

“What’s not to love? Being out on the open road, having complete control of your own destiny… Tell me, have you ever felt more alive?”

“I’ve never felt more terrified.”

She laughs. “I thrive on risk—the adrenaline rush the moment you take what isn’t yours, slip it in your pocket, hide it away. I miss my days in the field, but I get to keep you for a while—you’re my fix.” Her smile softens. “The fear will pass. Soon you’ll understand your potential. Yes, things didn’t go as planned, but you’re safe now.”

The car slows, and we turn into the forest, bumping along an unpaved path. Out the window, high above the giant sequoia trunks, pink light peeks through the leaves. I can’t believe it’s morning. A lifetime has passed since last night.

“We’re here,” Allard says several minutes later, shutting off the car.

“Where are we?” The majestic trees surrounding us all look the same.

After getting out of the car, she opens the back door for me. “Welcome to Keystone, Elisha Dewitt. Are you ready?”

I stare at the crumpled article, knowing the girl on its pages is dead. My old life is over. I won’t miss me, but I’ll miss him… Picturing Adam sitting next to me on the dock the last time we talked, our toes making tiny ripples in the lake—remembering the foolish hope that I could keep a little piece of home—I want to curl into a ball and die. All I wanted was a friend to come with me, for something in my life to be real so I wouldn’t have to be alone… I press my burning eyes shut, trying to get a grip.

Hugging myself, I rock back and forth, memorizing his face—his longish blond hair, his broad, tan shoulders with the slight spray of freckles spreading over them—his lips… Why can’t I remember his lips? I’m appalled the details are already fuzzy.

Outside, Allard shifts her weight. Leaves rustle beneath her feet, reminding me I need to answer her—need to move on.

Before he said he’d come with me, I was willing to go alone. I chose this with or without him. I take a deep breath. No more looking back. From now on, I only move forward.

Before I lose my nerve, I step out of the car and fold my arms against the chilly morning air. “I’m ready. This is what I want.”

“Nobody can know who you were—and nobody will care who you are. Those are the rules.”