“It’s true.” There was nothing that I could say to blunt her grief now. Her eyes widened with horror and she opened her mouth. I braced for the scream I would have made if it were me, so loud that it would bring people to the sewer and ensure her detection. She seemed to wail silently, though, her entire body shaking. No tears fell from her eyes. I stood helplessly, trying to find the words that might offer some comfort.

Finally, she stilled. “And my sister?”

“The nuns said your mother arrived at the hospital alone, without a child. I wasn’t able to find out what happened. There was no sign of her.”

“She is probably gone, too,” Sadie said, her voice wrought with sorrow. I wanted to comfort her, but didn’t know how. She straightened, pulling away from me. “You went to the hospital weeks ago. You knew this whole time about my mother. And you never told me.”

“Yes.” I wanted to tell her that I had only just found out, but I could not hide the truth any longer. “I wanted to spare you. I’m sorry.”

“I thought you were my friend.” Sadie’s eyes were cold and stony. Saul stepped forward and put a protective arm around her shoulders, steering her away from me. But Sadie spun back toward me. “If you lied to me, why should I trust you enough to leave?” she demanded.

I hesitated, wrestling with her logic. “I didn’t tell you because I was afraid you wouldn’t survive down here if you knew the truth.” I had underestimated her, I realized, and that was perhaps my biggest mistake. “I was trying to save you then. And I’m trying to save you now.” I walked to her and took her hand, looking straight into her eyes. “Sadie, I’m sorry. You can hate me all you want once we are out, but don’t let my mistake kill you and these good people whom you love.” I was certain that she would say no. I didn’t know what I would do then. They were going to get arrested or die down here, and if I stayed, I would surely die with them. I thought of Krys, wondered where he was and if we would ever know what became of one another.

Sadie did not respond. I tried again. “Please, I know that you are angry, and when we get out of here, if you never want to speak to me again, I understand. But there is no time. You must come with me now if you want to make it.”

Something seemed to break in her then. “All right,” she said slowly. “For Saul and his father, I’ll come.” Her voice was cold and I knew she would never forgive me for what I had done. Yet she was willing to leave to save the others.

But Saul, who still held on to Sadie, stood motionless, unconvinced. I tried again to reason with him. “I know that the sewer has been your sanctuary, the place that kept you safe. But it isn’t anymore. Escaping, that is the only salvation now.”