I remember their not showing up. I didn't wait long. Ten, fifteen minutes at the most. I really don't know, because I didn't have a watch or my phone or anything that told time with me. I just went with my gut instinct. I knew they wouldn't come when I asked them. It was obvious in the way they responded. Obvious in the look Ada had given me, the tone in Evan's voice. But still—I'd hoped . . . Now I know it was stupid of me. I don't know if they ever came. If they even remember me. If they think about me. My parents don't, I'm sure. Or they would've found me by now. They'll blame the police. The frost and freeze that came in November. The snow that fell in December and into January. They'll blame everyone and everything when someone finally does find me. Everyone and everything but themselves, that is.