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No Turning Back

The punishment for a seventh-grade dropout runaway is probably pretty harsh, but Ash Barker doesn't care. She can’t waste time or emotions on anyone but her brother, Matt. They were placed in separate foster homes, so Ash runs away to find him. If she fails, she’s headed back to juvenile detention.<br><br>Everything is going right on schedule until two kids, Dayna and Kevin, barge into her hideout -- which just happens to be in their house. She ditches the pair fast, but can’t stop thinking about those bruised, skinny kids.<br><br>Dayna and Kevin live with abusive parents who force them to stay in their room most of the time. If they go to the authorities for help, they’ll be split up, too. Ash knows how that feels, and she goes back to help, taking the two with her. With any luck, they’ll all help each other along the way.<br><br>Meanwhile, as Matt waits for Ash, he can’t resist telling his foster brother and best friend, Jon-Allen, about the plans. They stash food, earn money, and keep watch for the night Ash appears at their bedroom window.<br><br>Ash is so happy to be reunited with Matt and to discover she’s falling in love with Dayna that, at first, she doesn’t worry about what they’ll do next. But life on the road begins to take its toll -- they have to resort to shoplifting and scavenging to survive. Ash feels a growing sense of guilt at the disaster she’s made of everyone’s lives. Can she somehow keep her newfound “family” together despite hunger and sickness? Or will she be able to find the strength to reach out for help?

Kim Flowers · LGBT+
Zu wenig Bewertungen
165 Chs

Chapter 152

“Oh, we are, sir.”

“Poor Dayna and Kevin.” Tom forced a tear out of one eye. “I can’t wait to find them and bring them home where they belong. We’ll get all this straightened out. Tell them…tell them Mom and Dad are waiting.”

“Yes, sir. You have a good evening and we’ll keep you posted.”

“Thank you.” 26: Dayna’s Birthday

Ash watched the others walk ahead of her through the trees. Matt and Jon-Allen were whispering. Dayna and Kevin walked side by side, talking amicably. She looked at the map, even though it was pointless. They were nowhere, and going nowhere.

Ash felt fine with that.

She still wanted to call one of the foster homes to see what would happen. But for now they just kept a steady pace to avoid capture. Ash supposed as long as they walked south they would at least be in a warmer climate by winter.

That evening they made camp in a clearing. Jon-Allen disappeared.

“Can we make another fire?” Kevin asked.

“Not this time.”

“But Ash, remember what day it is?”