Chapter 26
Seconds ticked by slowly and hours refused to elapse on the library’s clock. Lareina spent the morning returning stacks of books to shelves. Little bursts of dust rose into the air, spinning in squares of sunlight. Silence filled the library and President Whitley filled her thoughts. Though she knew she had to go, she couldn’t help but daydream about this other future. What would life be like at Oak Creek? The president’s house would be warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Meals would be served three times per day every day. She would have clean clothes, medical care, leisure time to read, and a safe hideout from Galloway. Everything she could possibly wish for. Stretching her arm over her head, she pushed a book onto the top shelf. Her future, like that book, was right t
