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

“No one should ever have to feel this way,” Ash whispered.


“I bet we can find a way for you to tell without a bunch of other people finding out,” Ash said. “Someone will help us; I know they will.”


“I’ll do anything to make sure Kevin and I never have to go back to them,” Dayna said. “But I won’t have anyone make fun of me.”


“If anyone makes fun of you I’ll beat them up myself,” Ash said.


“Where are you guys?” Kevin called.


“Stay right there; we’re on our way,” Ash called.


Dayna caught up to her brother with a lighter heart.


“Hey, was that a great time or what?”


Tom opened his eyes and realized he was laying on his buddy Ryan’s couch. He couldn’t remember how he got there.


“Yeah, that was the best time I’ve had in a while,” Tom said, grunting and sitting up.


Ryan stood before him in his work clothes. “I’ve got to get to the construction site. You can stay here if you need to. I’m surprised Jean let you out alone last night.”


Chapter 55