The safe house felt smaller each day, like the walls were closing in despite the freedom that waited outside. On the fourth morning, I woke sandwiched between Ennis and Elias, their bodies warm and solid against mine, and made a decision.
"We need to go back," I said.
Ennis stirred first, his hand sliding up my bare stomach. "Back where?"
"To my parents. To face them." I turned my head to look at Elias, who was already awake, watching me with those careful eyes. "I can't just disappear. They'll report me missing. There'll be searches, investigations. Even if they are busy with their work, they’ll eventually try to contact me. We can't be ghosts if people are actively looking for me. I want to get it over with…."
"She's right," Elias said quietly. "We need to close that loop."
Ennis's
