Page 159 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

Anna stared out the window as the trees sped by, trying to process everything that had happened in the last hour. She’d been so certain nothing would ever change again—not with Devin so powerful—and now she was speeding down a highway with her dance partner on the way to?—

“Where are we going?”

“Martinez, California, to catch a train.” Justin took her hand. “It’s okay, Anna. Everything’s been taken care of. Devin’ll have no idea where you went. We’re catching a train tonight to Portland, and then on to Chicago and New York.”

Anna stared at Justin’s profile in the glow of the dashboard lights. “We’re going to New York? You’re taking me?”

Justin nodded. “Tommy’s dad can protect you there. And yes, I’m taking you. We wouldn’t let you travel alone.”

Anna looked out at the stars. Tom was going to protect her? He was Devin’s best friend. How was that possible? If Tommy hadn’t been in the pavilion with Travis and Ian, she’d be concerned that she was walking into a trap, but Tommy wouldn’t send her to his dad unless he knew his dad would protect her. But why? What had happened to turn Tom away from Devin? And how could he keep a much-more-powerful-Devin from finding her? “I still don’t understand what’s going on. Devin will find me. He always knows where I am.”

“Not now. Your bracelet and necklace had a GPS tracker in it, and they’re back at the field making it look like you’re sleeping. Plus, Devin would never guess you’d take a train. No one takes trains anymore and the security on them is minimal at best. Especially out here.”

Anna frowned, not understanding how he could be so confident. Devin had always found her before. Her stomach twisted and she swallowed. What would happen to Justin when Devin found out he’d helped her? “Why are you doing this? You’re not a Brother, are you?”

He shook his head. “I’ve learned a lot about it, though. My dad’s a Deacon under Tom. By not being part of it, Devin doesn’t pay any attention to me. At least, as long as I’m not trying to date you.”

“Date me? Why would you date me? You’re gay.”

Justin laughed. “Because of Travis?”

“Yeah.”

“No. I’m not gay. Bi-curious maybe, but I like women.”

Anna stared at him. “But you and Travis are dating.”

He shook his head. “We made it look that way so we could plan your escape without making Devin suspicious.”

“I’ve seen you kiss him.”

“Yeah. But really, Anna, I promise. He’s a very good friend. We got really close, but it was all for appearances.” He gave her a sideways glance. “You know how that goes.”

Anna’s head swam at his words. “You did all this for me?”

“Hon, that day you walked into the studio with the bruises on your wrists just set me off. Travis took me aside a few days later and told me about The Brotherhood and Devin, and how he used you to control people. I didn’t totally understand it, but I did understand the abuse. I guess the ‘powers-that-be’ finally decided Devin had gone too far and got involved. But Anna...” He glanced at her. “Tommy and his dad, and Travis’ dad... they’ve all been concerned about you for years. They care a lot about you. They just... couldn’t do anything about it. They didn’t have the right to, as much as it disgusted them.”

“Tom is Devin’s best friend.”

Justin shrugged. “As far as I know, Tom hasn’t been comfortable with what Devin’s been doing for a long time, but didn’t think anyone else was. When Tommy met Peter, the two of them, and Aaron, started?—‍”

“Aaron? He’s involved?”

“He was the first. Then he and Tommy started talking and realized they felt the same way... about you... about Devin and how he treated you. Tommy, Aaron, and Peter all decided something needed to change. Tommy talked to his dad and Peter talked to his uncle.” He shrugged. “It grew from there.”

“But Aaron left.”

“Only so that he could be in New York when you got there. Peter was going to take you in September, but then his grandfather died and the plans fell apart. Travis tried to take you in December, but you flipped out on him.”

“I did?”

Justin chuckled. “We had a feeling you didn’t know what was going on. Yeah, you almost made him crash his car.”

“Oh, no!”

“Yeah... Do you even remember Nutcracker? Or any of the February programs?”

Anna shook her head and looked out the window again. “I have vague memories of dancing, but nothing else.” What had happened to her? She only remembered bits of dancing and pain.

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