Whitney had already handed me her phone. If I used it to contact someone outside, my chances of escape would shoot up overnight. She clearly wanted me to leave she didn't want me trapped here like her.
And still… I could feel it. Deep down, a part of her wanted to see me again. Not as a memory. Not as a ghost in her chest.
As me.
Her emotions had been pulling her in two directions all day. She wanted to push me out of this place, but she also wanted to keep me close enough to prove she wasn't alone.
I wiped her tears with my thumb, then lifted my hands and signed slowly, clearly.
If we leave, we leave together.
"Leave?" Her laugh was small and empty. She shook her head. "He'll never let me go. I know too much. Even if I die… it'll be by his side."
Just like that, the truth sat between us.
