Chapter 63

I finish dressing and slide into bed, discarding my things on the floor next to me. I reach out to open the nightstand and retrieve my phone, torn between switching it on and putting it back. The last leg of my journey had seen my guilt eating away at me, and I know I owe my family some message to say I am at least safe. I’m not completely selfish. I know my parents will be beside themselves by now, and it is gnawing away inside me. My resolve is waning, over staying here, completely silent, and the good child inside of me is worrying about my decision.

I need to use google anyway. My fingers hesitate over the screen, so many doubts and fears as nerves get the better of me, but my stubborn mind kicks in and switches it on. It only takes seconds for the beeps of incoming notifications, texts, and missed calls to send my phone crazy and my heart into erratic pounding. I can’t bear to open any of them as I scan the list of names piling up in my inbox. Everyone from Jake, and Emma