Page 124 of Death Valley

But during the winding mountain drive, my father pulls off to the side of the road, overlooking the bay and the ocean and the horizon beyond. The sky is pink and orange, soft tones of a sunset. I don’t remember stopping before.

“This is where we leave you, kiddo,” my father says.

My mother gets out and opens the back door of the Volvo for me. I climb out, confused, and Lainey is somehow already at the stone wall of the viewpoint, holding her hand out for me.

I walk over to her, wondering what’s happening.

She grasps my hand.

Her skin is cold.

“See those clouds,” she says. “That’s where we’ll be.”

My father and mother join us, standing on both sides of me, hands on my shoulders.

Their skin is cold too.

“Where are you going?” I ask.

“To where we belong,” my mother says, giving me a soft smile. “We’ll see you there too, one day, but not now. Now is too soon. You have too much work to do.”

“Work?” I say. But I’m just a kid. I don’t have any work, unless she’s talking about homework.

“You’re doing a good job,” my father says, grabbing my hand now and giving it a strong squeeze. “I know it’s not easy, but you’ve helped so many people.”

What is he talking about? Why are they all so cold? Why aren’t we heading down to Santa Cruz?

“Including me,” Lainey says, putting her arm around me. “You finally helped me be free.”

“I’m so proud of you, sweetie,” my mother says, leaning down to kiss me on the top of my head. “Now go and live the rest of your life.”

Then they all turn away and walk back to the car. I want to run after them. I try but it’s like I’m frozen in place. I can only watch, tears streaming down my face, as they get in the car, my father at the wheel, my mother beside him, and Lainey in the backseat.

They all wave at me, blow me kisses.

“We love you,” Lainey shouts out the rolled-down window. “We’ll see you later, alligator.”

They drive off down the highway, now completely empty, disappearing from view.

And I realize what’s happened.

Where they’re going.

And why I have to stay behind.

I’m dreaming.

There is snow.

Monsters.

Blue eyes.

Lainey.

Blood.

I open my eyes and I see a night sky. Stars and a moon. Tree tops.

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