Betsy followed but didn't push it, and they split up inside. Neil was the only one browsing the clothing aisles at this time of day, but an ancient woman was already keeping watch at the changing room. She paused in sorting out returns long enough to unlock one of the stalls for Neil. He listened for the lock to catch behind him, then shrugged out of his coat. He went still with both hands on his shirt when he saw his reflection.

Drake's blood looked almost black where it'd dried in splashes on his shirt. Neil thought it was Drake's blood, anyway. It could have just as easily been Andrew's. For a moment it smelled fresh: sharp and hot and sour.

A few months ago Wymack called them to say Seth was dead of an overdose. Neil told Andrew that night he didn't understand the drive behind suicide. Andrew shrugged off his interpretation of it. That casual dismissal masked a deeper understanding. Andrew said Seth's self-destructive behavior was Seth's only way out. Neil hadn't understood then because he always had a way out. There was always a back door to slip out, a bus to catch, a ferry to ride. It might be awful and terrifying, but it still gave him dim hope for survival. He couldn't imagine life without that comfort.

Neil turned one hand over to see his unmarred wrist. His body bore countless scars from his life on the run, but none of them were self-inflicted. Neil dragged his blunt fingernails down his arm, watched pale red lines bloom on his skin, and forcibly redirected his attention back to the task at hand.

It didn't take long to find an outfit that fit. Finding Betsy turned out to be harder, and he kept his distance from her while she finished picking out groceries. Her basket was full enough Neil knew she was shopping for more than one meal. He almost asked how long she intended on staying in Columbia, but he didn't want to open up another conversation. He still had to deal with her for the next leg of the trip.

Betsy said nothing when they got in the car again, though, and took them to Exites. Neil went in alone with the team's p-card and bought a new practice stick. The price wasn't any easier to stomach today. Neil signed the receipt, stuffed his copy in his pocket with a mental note to apologize to Wymack for being so expensive, and brought the racquet out to the car. That left just one stop on their list.

After his childhood home in Baltimore, the Hemmicks' house was the last place in the world Neil wanted to be. Andrew's car was still parked at the curb, and Betsy pulled up behind it. She offered Neil a key, but Neil made no move to take it. His brain connected the pieces but refused to accept the final picture. Andrew wouldn't even let Aaron and Kevin drive his car.