The air smelled of gasoline and there was a hint of despair as she made her way toward the entrance. Ash hurried inside, searching for Nate. Her stomach churned, thinking about what might happen if he didn’t show. That was silly. He’d already texted and said he was on his way. The minutes passed, Ash anxiously staring at the clock. The door finally opened and she saw him searching for her. He was here. They’d done it. They were so close.

“Nate!” Ash shouted. He spotted her, a smile lighting up his face. Ash raced toward him, launching herself into his arms. He squeezed her tightly.

“We made it,” Nate said. Ash smiled and kissed him again.

“I’ll get the tickets,” Ash said, scanning the times on the board, searching for their departure time.

“Okay, we have to get a ticket for Leslie too.”

“Leslie?” Ash said. “She’s coming here?”

“She called and said she was afraid and didn’t want to stay with Mo and the Tribe anymore. She sounded so scared. I didn’t know what to do. I said she could come with us.”

There were moments in Ash’s life when she saw things so clearly. That day she left her mother’s house, knowing if she didn’t she would wind up dead, her first meeting with Nate when she knew he would be important in her life, her meeting with Becca at the West Hollywood police department. Those moments altered the course of her life. She saw it again now, what Nate couldn’t, Leslie’s parting words, “The Tribe’s my family. I could never leave them,” echoing in her head.

Ash grabbed Nate’s hand. “We can’t stay here. We have to go right now,” Ash said.

“But the bus will be here soon.”

“It’s a trap, Nate. Mo’s trap.”

Nate’s eyes met hers. He shook his head emphatically. “No way. Leslie wouldn’t do that,” he said.

She loved Nate’s innate goodness, but felt a flicker of anger. How could he be so trusting?

“Leslie’s got nowhere to go. She has no one. She told me herself she couldn’t lose the Tribe.”

Nate’s eyes widened, his mistake registering. He didn’t move, seemingly paralyzed by his mistake. Ash grabbed Nate’s hand. “Let’s go, Nate. Now!” she said, leading him toward the exit.

As if on cue, the doors opened and Mo and Kelsey entered, scanning the premises with laser-like focus. Ash stopped short, Nate almost bumping into her. Mo zeroed in on them, shaking her head in dismay, her eyes angry slits.

The two of them changed directions, rushing toward the back of the station. Ash spotted Vic and Kelsey at the back entrance. They hadn’t spotted them yet. She didn’t have to look around to know the others were here somewhere.