Chapter 49

The airport was crowded with tourists returning home after long, well-deserved vacations. Elizabeth watched them, wishing she could be one of them, with the certainty that comes from ignorance of what surrounds you. Sometimes the blindfold that covers your eyes can become a protective talisman. After passing through security, the four of them boarded the plane to cross the ocean that separated them from London, drawing an imaginary line over the water.

"We're about to take off. Please fasten your seatbelts and turn off your computers, phones, tablets, or any other electronic devices," a flight attendant instructed them through a speaker that resonated throughout the plane.

Elizabeth turned off the laptop that rested on her lap. She had spent the last hour checking her email inbox to catch up on the latest news during the months she had spent in Egypt. There was no relevant information beyond the typical student emails. She was determined to continue her studies, especial