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

“We’re not going to wreck,” Kevin said.


“No, we’re not. Keep your eyes closed,” she said.


The road ahead was deserted. Trees and fields were the only scenery. After a couple minutes, they passed one house. Dayna squinted. Where were they?


A stop sign appeared in the distance. Jessie laughed and drove faster.


“Stop!” Dayna yelled. She could barely hear herself over the music.


Jessie ran the stop sign, and Ash looked back. To Dayna’s horror, Ash was laughing. She shouted something Dayna couldn’t understand and turned back around. Kevin’s eyes were still closed, but Dayna felt she had to keep her eyes on the road and will the car not to crash. Jessie flew over hills and careened around curves. Dayna put Kevin’s seat belt on and buckled her own.


“Are we almost there?” Kevin asked in her ear.


Chapter 45