Page 36 of In the Air Tonight

“I think that’s a good idea. Just drive away. We’ll figure out the rest later.”

“We might need you to reserve a hotel room for us,” Kane says.

Dad runs a trembling hand through his hair. “I’ll take care of whatever you need. Neisy has my card for emergencies. This certainly counts.”

“I can’t come back here, Dad.”

“I know. I’ll figure out a plan. Don’t worry about anything.”

He hugs me. “We’ll get through this together. I promise.”

“I’m staying with her,” Kane said. “I told my parents what happened. I think if you talk to them, Captain Sutton, we could make a case for me doing my senior year with Neisy. They’re due to move back to the states at Christmas anyway, and they were upset about disrupting my senior year. If you’re with us, they’d probably be okay with me staying.”

“I’ll talk to them. We’ll work it out.”

My heart takes flight at the possibility of Kane staying with me for this next school year. What was once so daunting now becomes manageable.

“Go ahead and pack. I want Neisy out of here.”

No one wants me out of here more than I do.

Kane and I take thirty minutes to pack clothes for a variety of weather along with swimsuits and sweatshirts. He said we may as well have some fun while we’re away, and I couldn’t agree more.

When we drive away from the house at four thirty that morning, I don’t look back. I hope to never be in this town again, except to testify against Ryder when that time comes. I look forward to that day. I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure he gets what’s coming to him, even if the thought of testifying makes my legs go weak and my palms get sweaty. I also realize that if I stay away, I may never see my beloved grandparents again. Fortunately, there’re plenty of other ways I can keep in touch with them from afar. I’ve taught them how to use an iPhone, and they’re hilarious with their texting.

My mom gently told them what’s going on, and they’ve been nothing but supportive—and devastated for me.

Kane reaches for my hand. “Take a deep breath, honey. Just keep breathing.”

“Thank you for this. You’ll never know how badly I needed you.”

“I’m here now, and I’m never leaving you again. Whatever happens next, we’re in this together.”

“We…we should talk about the baby.”

“We don’t need to talk about that right now. Let’s get out of here. There’ll be plenty of time for talking about the tough stuff later.”

I give his hand a squeeze and exhale for the first time since Mr. Elliott woke us earlier. If they don’t know where I am, they can’t touch me.

Or so I think.

Cam

THEN

The arraignments of my brother and father are surreal. Ryder is charged with first-degree sexual assault and my dad with harassing Neisy’s family. I couldn’t believe when he called me from jail and said he needed me to withdraw cash from the ATM to bail him out.

Ryder is pale and pinched as he stands before the judge. We were told he wouldn’t be required to enter a plea because the charge is a felony, punishable with more than fifteen years in prison. The next step is a probable cause hearing in a month at which the prosecutors will present their case. Witnesses can be called, and the judge will determine if there’s adequate evidence to proceed to trial.

The evidence thing worries me. What if Neisy had a rape kit done or saved her clothes or can somehow tie Ryder and his DNA to her?

Those worries keep me awake at night as I ponder the very real possibility of my brother going to prison. He was supposed to be headed to Annapolis. Now he could be looking at spendinga big chunk of his life locked up if Neisy can convince a judge and jury that he raped her. Since I’ve known the truth of what really happened, I find myself thinking of her almost as often as I do him.

How could he have done such a thing when we were brought up to respect women and to treat girls the way we’d want our own sisters treated?

These last few weeks have been the worst of my life, and I fear it could be just the start.

Sienna reaches for my hand.

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