Chloe.

She was standing in the pouring rain, absolutely soaked, pointing at the driver to wind down the window. The driver huffed under his breath and waved his hand to shoo her away, but Chloe only rapped on the glass harder.

“Yes, yes, all right!” the driver barked. He rolled the window down a few inches, and as he did wind and rain swirled into the car. “What is it, girl? What do you want?”

Chloe slipped her hand through the gap and dropped a stack of hundred-dollar bills into the driver’s lap. “Here, take it,” she said.

“What is all this?”

“It’s for the fare, and you can keep the change.” The driver stared down at all the money, speechless. As he began counting, Chloe reached in and pushed the button that unlocked Amy’s door.

“Psst, get out,” she said. “Now.”

Amy didn’t hesitate. She nodded and flung open the door.

“You need to come with me,” Chloe ordered, grabbing Amy firmly by the hand. “You’re leaving soon and there isn’t much time.”

“Time? Time for what ?”

“Time for you to help! He needs you, Amy.” Chloe dragged Amy toward the hotel entrance. “If you don’t help him soon, it’s gonna be too late.” She stormed inside and cut a path through the lobby.

“What does that mean? Someone’s in trouble? Who—who’s in trouble? My dad?”

“No, not him.”

Amy hastened after Chloe as she charged up the stairs, leaping two at a time just to keep up, firing questions as they sped down the hall. “Talk to me, Chloe! Who needs help? Who ?”

Chloe stuck her finger on her lips. “Shhh! Not here. Wait till we’re in your room.”

They snuck inside and shut the door. The room was empty. The curtains were billowing in the wind, their shadows playing on the walls. Amy switched on the lights and looked around. It took just a fraction of a second to see that something wasn’t right.

“Hey, wait. My dad’s bag, his stuff . . .”

“What about it?”

“It’s not here. It’s gone!”

Chloe froze on the spot while Amy made a frantic search around the room.

“Are you sure, Amy? Are you absolutely sure?”

“Yes!” Amy peered into the bathroom, checked the spare room, checked the cupboard, even checked under the bed, but there was nothing of his anywhere. “I don’t believe this. He’s really gone. He’s left me in this town. He’s just left me here.”

Chloe went quiet for a second. “Okay, I think this is bad.” She stared at the floor, eyes busy, blinking fast. “Yes, this is definitely very bad.”

“What are you talking about! What does that mean?”

“It means we don’t have as much time as I thought.” Chloe rushed over to Amy. “Your phone, do you have it on you?”

Amy fumbled in her pockets. “Yes?”

“Check the time, check it now.”