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“This is Doctor Astor.”
My mother’s voice, clipped but light, instantly brings tears to my eyes.
“It’s me,” I say softly.
There’s a moment of silence, followed by the sound of a door shutting.
“I…” Her voice trails off, and a choked sound escapes her. “You’re safe? You’re notthere?”
“Yes.” A tear falls down my cheek. “I’m with people that are helping me.”
“Oh my God. Oh myGod.” And now we’re both crying.
“I miss you so much,” I continue, my voice cracking. “But I’m okay, I promise.”
“The things we’ve watched on the news…it’s horrible.” My mom’s voice wavers. “I’m so sorry you have to go through this, honey. It’s so wrong.”
“It’s not your fault,” I assure her. Brock watches me carefully, his eyes searching mine.
“It won’t be like this forever.” She promises. “We’ll put a stop to this, eventually. I promise you.”
If there’s one thing my mother does well, it’s raise hell. It wouldn’t surprise me if she’s already part of activist groups.
“There’s a bounty for me,” I whisper. “They’re monitoring your emails and phone lines.”
“Oh, I know,” she chuckles. “Of course they are. But my brilliant daughter still knows how to find me.”
I choke back a sob.
“I love you so much,” I whisper. “And Dad, too. Is he doing okay?”
I already know the answer. My mom is keeping him together.
“He’s hanging in there. He’ll feel a lot better once I tell him you’re safe.”
“Yes. Please do that.”
“I love you so much. We’re going to get through this, I promise. And even if you end upthere…” Her voice trails off.
“I won’t,” I insist.
“But even if you do, I know you’ll give them hell, Olive.”
I want to talk to her forever. I want to tell her about Brock, Dylan, and Killian.
But it’s not safe for her. The less she knows, the better.
Brock gives me a concerned look, and I know I need to end the call.
“I need to go. Stay safe, Mom. Take care of dad. And I’ll talk to you again, eventually.”
I fight back another sob as my mother sniffles. “I’m so proud of you,” she adds. “My survivor. My warrior.”
I’m not a warrior,I want to say.I wouldn’t have made it without Killian dragging me kicking and screaming to Brock’s house.
“I love you,” I say again.
“I love you too,” she whispers.
