The punishment for a seventh-grade dropout runaway is probably pretty harsh, but Ash Barker doesn't care. She can’t waste time or emotions on anyone but her brother, Matt. They were placed in separate foster homes, so Ash runs away to find him. If she fails, she’s headed back to juvenile detention. Everything is going right on schedule until two kids, Dayna and Kevin, barge into her hideout -- which just happens to be in their house. She ditches the pair fast, but can’t stop thinking about those bruised, skinny kids. Dayna and Kevin live with abusive parents who force them to stay in their room most of the time. If they go to the authorities for help, they’ll be split up, too. Ash knows how that feels, and she goes back to help, taking the two with her. With any luck, they’ll all help each other along the way. Meanwhile, as Matt waits for Ash, he can’t resist telling his foster brother and best friend, Jon-Allen, about the plans. They stash food, earn money, and keep watch for the night Ash appears at their bedroom window. Ash is so happy to be reunited with Matt and to discover she’s falling in love with Dayna that, at first, she doesn’t worry about what they’ll do next. But life on the road begins to take its toll -- they have to resort to shoplifting and scavenging to survive. Ash feels a growing sense of guilt at the disaster she’s made of everyone’s lives. Can she somehow keep her newfound “family” together despite hunger and sickness? Or will she be able to find the strength to reach out for help?

No Turning Back

Ash froze in shock for the second time that day. “Are you serious? Think about what they’ve done to you! I only stayed at that house for four days, but I know how bad they treated you.”


“We’re going to be in so much trouble,” Dayna said with a sob.


“No, you’re not. You’re not going to be in trouble because they’re not going to get us!” Ash’s chest tightened with panic.


“Maybe they learned their lesson now,” Kevin said.


Ash sighed. “I know you want them to change. But a lot of times it doesn’t happen. Think about this. You’ve both got black eyes and bruises, and Kevin, you got your tooth knocked out. And that’s not even counting the other things Tom’s done that you still won’t tell me, and the fact that your mom just sits back and lets it happen. Do you really think if you go back now things will be different?”


Chapter 21