The Summer I Disappeared Chapter 08

The Summer I Disappeared Chapter 08

Tally stood in the doorway. Staring at the empty room. She started crying too. Fear.

Out of habit, she went to Leo. Reached for his sleeve. Seeking comfort the way she always did.

“Leo, does Winter hate me because of the computer? I really didn’t mean it…”

Leo turned. Looked at Tally’s tear-streaked face.

Before, he would have pulled her into his arms immediately. Soothed her with soft words.

But now. All he could see was Winter. Blood on her forehead. The whole family turning on her.

“Stop crying!”

Leo wrenched his arm away. His voice was raw. Violent. Pained.

Tally stumbled back a step. Stared at him in disbelief.

Leo didn’t look at her again. He ran out of the house like a man possessed.

“Sir, ma’am, don’t worry. I’ll find her. I’ll bring her back.”

***

Two days later.

The dry West Coast wind hit me. Desert air mixed with the salt of the ocean.

I stepped out of the Greyhound station with my one small bag.

No familiar streets. No humid Midwestern air. None of that suffocating favoritism and charity.

Just endless blue sky. And a coastline that stretched beyond sight.

I bought a prepaid SIM card at the station convenience store. Slid it into my phone.

The screen lit up. Clean. Empty.

I took a deep breath. My eyes stung a little. But I smiled.

This was good.

Winter McCall’s new life was finally starting.