“We’re Mark and Emily,” he starts.

“Who?”

“A few days ago, I got us new IDs, complete with working social identification numbers and photos.”

At that, Lynell’s back straightens and she stares at Daniel, his words pulling her lips into a frown.

He got them both IDs days ago? That is far too much preparation for getting out of town to avoid a few protests.

“I had to use an old one of you, but it’ll work,” Daniel continues. “We are Mark and Emily Hunter and we’ve been married for two years.”

“Convenient,” she says, studying him with increased suspicion. Even as her brain tells her that these are too many coincidences, her body feels more relaxed in his presence. Her mind doesn’t trust him and tells her to run. Her gut trusts him more than anyone else and begs her to stay.

Daniel ignores her and glances around them to be sure no one is listening. “I’ve got the IDs in the bag. I’ve also got us two tickets for a train that’s going to leave without us if we don’t start moving, like, now.”

Lynell almost steps out of Daniel’s orbit to flee but instead, she lets her ex pull her back into the flow of traffic. They quicken their pace toward the station, which is a twenty-minute walk away.

“You’re coming with me?” She’s not surprised that he’s been planning to join. He was always good at that, revealing information to her slowly to keep from freaking her out. Maybe he’s using that tactic against her now. Luring her into a trap disguised as safety. “Where are we going?” she asks, watching for any sign of guilt or dubious intentions in his face.

“North, to Chicago.” Seeing her frown, he adds, “Not to my parents’ place. I just wanted to get as far away as possible, and I have somewhere we can stay for a night before we keep moving.”

He sounds sincere and it’s enough to calm Lynell’s suspicion for the moment. She nods, her mind too busy with her last memory of Chicago to properly respond. Her chest aches as she recalls grabbing hold of Daniel’s arm and laying her head on his shoulder. She’d curled her feet up into the airplane seat while he chose an old movie to play, ignoring her protests. The air was cold, and she hadn’t feared her stepfather in two years. Back then she had no idea what was coming, what would cause Daniel to leave her forever just a year later. She let herself stay in that moment, drinking water from a plastic cup and stealing Daniel’s wine when she thought he wasn’t looking. He smirked because of course he saw his twenty-year-old new wife drinking his wine and of course he didn’t care because they might as well have been alone on the large plane. Lynell had felt untouchable.

Daniel’s grip is no longer soothing, yet the touch is familiar enough to keep her from sinking into fear.