SHE KEPT A STEADY hand over the wheel. In the background, the radio murmured classical music. For the first half-hour, it helped settle her down, but then she remembered where she was going. 

It was the same place she found as a kid. 

As a runaway. 

"Just keep calm..." Lottie cranked up the music. "It'll be fine. You're already driving, anyway."

It was 9:42 PM on a Thursday and she'd arrive in an hour. Overhead, the sun was setting, a bright orange, but she didn't care. The weekend was too far away. 

Lottie gripped the wheel, focusing on the music. 

Just yesterday, she had mended her friendship with Hazel. However, despite claiming she was fine, she could never truly be until she embraced her past. 

Getting there was the last piece of the puzzle. 

Then she looked down and smiled. Tomorrow I can give back the bracelet. Tomorrow I'll finally be okay. 

-

Flashback ~

The house was silent. 

Ear to basement door, she listened in, gripping her backpack straps. It weighed down over her shoulders, a burden, but she had to suck it up. It was either this or not bringing enough to survive on her own. 

She wasn't coming back, after all. 

A beat passed. 

Slow and steady, she descended the stairs, then neared her brother's bed. In her hand was a note, penned brief but neat. For one last time, she read it over and sighed. "You'll be fine, Eliott..."

If it weren't for the two lamps,  propped tall and thin beside each bed, the room would be consumed in darkness. 

She smiled. After staring down, studying his every feature, she tucked it under his pillow and turned. 

There was a groan, then stirring. 

She stiffened. When it went quiet, she peered back and nodded. Her brother was still out cold. The chance was still there and she was going to take it. 

After ascending the steps, she looked back and smiled. Normally, she wouldn't give it a second thought. But now, she was just going to observe; to take it all in, from the walls, grey and grim, to the spoiled milk at the bottom stair. 

It would be the last time, after all. 

Then, with a breath, she turned and twisted the knob. It creaked open. 

Again, she stiffened. 

Silence. 

So, gripping her straps, she emerged from the basement and squinted. It was pitch-black. 

One step at a time. This reeled in her mind until she was at the front door. One more glance around and she opened it, stepping out. 

The chill air bit at her. With a shutter, she pulled her black hoodie up and marched from the driveway. 

But that was when she stopped, peering back. 

Her bike - it'd be perfect. At nine, the car was out of the question. 

Soon enough, she had jumped on and pebbled out into the night. 

Into the unknown. 

But where would she even go?

-

Lottie continued to stare after shifting her car to park. Then, quick but faint, she sucked in a breath and nudged her side open. 

One step at a time. 

After going out, into the night, she shut the door and turned. As Lottie reached down, removing one shoe and then the next, she sniffled. 

Then smiled. 

It was just as she remembered. The sand - crisp and chill - crinkled between her toes. 

It was all so beautiful. 

More tears came, running down her face. Soon enough, she had collapsed, grabbing fistfuls of  sand as she looked ahead. 

Her smile widened. 

Now Lottie was embracing the moment. 

Embracing her past.  

It was years overdue. 

Minutes later, she rose and came forward. The metal railing - it felt cool beneath her fingers. As she held on, like a lifeline, she looked out into the night. 

Lottie hadn't been here, on this mountaintop, since she was a runaway. Now, memories flashed before her. 

There was a time when this railing wasn't there; a time when she would go down and explore. Never before had she been more free. 

But that period of her life was far from perfect. For the first time, she had experienced true hunger. For a while, she lived off fruit and the river water. Eventually, though, she had to make a kill. 

It was something she vowed to never do. 

Knuckles white, she undid her grasp and stared at them. They shook. 

A beat passed. 

Then, looking back, past the railing, she leaned in and squinted. Was there even anything left? What about that shallow grave? 

Her mind reeled. After taking a step over, then considering, she drew back and hugged herself. Maybe one day, but not now. It was too dark. 

With a breath, head down, she almost turned when the phone rang. 

"Hello?" Lottie asked. "Who's this?"

There was silence. 

She pressed it close to her ear. "Hello?"

"Hey, sister..."

When it registered, she stiffened. "Eliott? Why'd you call me?"

Eliott sniffled. "Well, I have a reason... don't worry."

"You know, after our visit, I thought it was pretty clear. And then, in case there was any confusion, you spelt it out for me. Remember that message?"

"Yeah, I know."

Lottie paused. "Well, then what's so important?"

Another sniffle. 

"Eliott?" she said. "Listen, it better be good. If it's something stupid, I'm gonna hang up and block you. Oh, and another thing: you better not stalk me ever again."

"I'm sorry about that. I should have been upfront. Maybe then you would have come over."

"Why did you even stalk Penny? She was never a part of this." 

Eliott paused. "Well, at first it was just you, but then I noticed something: every morning, you guys would talk. I guess I got curious."

"Penny may be mysterious, but she's loyal. Please, for your sake, just believe me."

He just scoffed. 

"You know, I have a question." After wandering near, hands in fists, she grabbed at the railing. "I've been wondering this for some time."

"And what's that?"

Lottie clenched her teeth. "I was gone for a month, remember? One night I just disappeared and you never searched for me; not once. And Aunt Rena didn't either."

Eliott sighed. "Well, don't you remember the note? That morning, I found it under my pillow. Do you remember what it said?"

"'I may be gone, but I never left. I know Auntie will be mad, but she won't take it out on you. I promise.'"

"That's right. I knew you were fine because you told me."

Lottie sneered. "But for a month?"

"Listen, I called you for a reason. After this, we won't talk again, but you need to know."

"Know what?"

"Aunt Rena died last night."

Hey there! I hope this is still connecting dots. If you're confused about anything, please let me know so I can clear it up. Anyway, the plot's moving forward and I'm excited! So far, I think it's going well and I have the next parts planned out. After that, we'll go from there. 

Well, it's time for some more questions! Feel free to skip these:

1) What's one of your hidden talents?

2) Do you have any funny stories that happened to you?

Anyway, I hope you're well and God bless. <3