There''s nothing to pack. The few clothes I have are courtesy of Mom shopping for me, and I have no interest in keeping them when I leave.

I''ll go with a ripped pair of jeans and a shirt that I took scissors to, cutting off its holey hem until it looks tattered on purpose instead of because it''s been washed too many times.

The only shoes I have are the heels I wore when they brought me home. Those, I put in a backpack Phoenix gave me from his old school days. Despite a decade of sitting in our attic, it smells like marijuana mixed with the cedar our home is built with.

Big brother was a bit of a rebel, I guess.

I have a pair of sneakers that are a half-size too small. I''ll have some blisters, but I can buy a new pair somewhere. It''ll be easier to run in them than heels.

The burner phone stares at me from its position on my desk. I know without a doubt that it has a tracer on it. I still have no idea if the phone Clayton gave me was tampered with; I know I had a level of paranoia that bordered on ridiculous during my stay with the Aspen wolves. But this phone?

I''m not paranoid.

Phoenix has decided that it''s better to wipe my existence from memory than keep me as a hesitant ally.

So stupid, to ever think our interests could align.

I consider reaching out to Lisa, but I don''t want Phoenix or his goons to get to her.

What if my desperate attempt to seek solace from Lisa only leads them straight to her doorstep, putting her in harm''s way?

No way.

I can''t risk Lisa''s safety. She''s too precious. I won''t be the one to drag her into the darkness that has consumed my life.

Phoenix is sneaking me out, ostensibly to the airport, tonight. I have to figure out another plan before then. So far, I''ve got nothing.

If there''s a tracker on my phone, there''s a good chance that he wants me to make it—at least for a little while.

If I die—

The thought of leaving without saying goodbye tears at my resolve.

What if this is the last time I get to talk to her? The weight of that realization is suffocating. With a trembling exhale, I snatch up the burner phone and begin to type.

[AVA: It''s me. I just wanted to check in before things get crazy. I love you, bestie bae, my soul twin, my other half of crazy.]

The response is almost instantaneous.

[LISA: Ave! What''s going on? You okay?]

A sad smile tugs at my lips at her concern. Lisa has been my rock through everything, and I don''t know what I''d do without her steadfast friendship.

[AVA: I''m alright for now. Phoenix is getting me out of here tonight, but I''m not sure what''s going to happen after that.]

[LISA: Where is he taking you? Should I be worried?]

I can picture her brow furrowed, her dark eyes narrowed with worry. Guilt twists in my gut. We''re supposed to escape this place together. She''s been waiting for me to give her the word.

But I can''t.

[AVA: It''s a long story, one I''ll explain when I can. I just wanted to say that I love you, and you''re the best friend I could ever ask for. No matter what happens, please know that.]

The weight of those words settles heavily on my shoulders. This could very well be the last time I get to express how much Lisa means to me.

[LISA: Ava, you''re scaring me. What''s going on? This wasn''t our plan?]

[AVA: I can''t say much. If things go sideways, I might not get the chance to talk to you again for a while. Just be careful, okay? And know that I love you.]

My chest tightens as I hit send, the finality of those words sinking in. There''s every possibility that this is my final goodbye.