“I never liked that man,” she says. Lynell almost laughs. “Anyone who tries to play God will only create their own hell.”

Lynell, knowing the phrase by heart, finishes it for Mother Adella. “And anyone who follows will think heaven is in a cell.”

The nun nods. “I’ve always said our country is living in the hell Gideon Elysian created.”

“I know,” Lynell says. “I wish I’d listened.”

“You did, darling. You just weren’t ready to hear it yet.”

“And now?” Lynell asks.

Mother Adella frowns as she studies Lynell. Then she stands and walks around the desk so she’s standing next to Lynell. She reaches out and touches Lynell’s still-bruised eye. “I believe you’ve seen firsthand what hell can do to a person. I also believe you’re ready to escape.”

“I just want Anna to escape. Please, Mother.” Lynell’s voice breaks; tears threaten to fill her throat. “I’d do anything for her. I’ve survived Eric Elysian once.” She holds up her hand, still bandaged and rhythmically throbbing with pain. “And I’ll do it again to keep Anna safe.”

“Rachel, honey, I don’t want to see you hurt anymore,” Mother Adella says.

“I won’t let that happen,” Daniel says. “Not again.”

“We can hide you both,” Mother Adella says. “Let us help you.”

“What about Anna?” Lynell asks

“I’ve called the number on file and left a message. We have to trust that they will be safe.”

Lynell shakes her head. “I need to find them and make sure they know how serious this is. I promise as soon as I warn them, I’ll do everything in my power to keep Eric away from Anna. But I have to do this. Not you.”

Mother Adella doesn’t look convinced. Lynell stands, anxiety filling her toes. She paces, keeping her eyes locked on the nun as she speaks. “You once told me that I have more power than I thought. That I’m allowed to demand my own safety and happiness. You also told me to accept the responsibilities given to me and stand taller than them. This is how I do that. What kind of woman am I if I abandon my child not once, but twice?”

“You did not abandon her. You gave her life,” Mother Adella says.

“So let me make sure she gets to live that life,” Lynell says, begging now.

Mother Adella’s eyes are shining and after an agonizing moment of silence, she turns and heads for the filing cabinets. Lynell returns to her seat, watching Mother Adella open a drawer labeled “C-D” and thumb through the folders before pulling one of them out. She places the folder on the desk, sits back down, and flips it open to the first page, which brandishes a photo of Lynell from almost three years earlier, the name “Rachel Doe” beneath. Mother Adella flips through the pages quickly, stops toward the end, and, pulling her finger down the page, she reads slowly.

Lynell reaches over and grabs Daniel’s hand. It’s sweating but she doesn’t care, she needs his touch to ground her.