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

“All right, Ash, I know you’ve got a master plan, so tell us!” Jon-Allen said.


Ash smiled, glad they weren’t enemies. Of course, none of the boys knew the truth about her and Dayna yet.


“I figured we’d split up.” She wiped sweat from her face. “We’ll each take different parts of the store and get a few things.”


“We should have brought our bags,” Matt said.


“No, that would look suspicious,” Ash said. “I’ve seen signs on different stores and gas stations saying you’re not allowed to bring in backpacks. I think it even specifically says kids aren’t supposed to bring them in!”


Jon-Allen scoffed. “That’s ridiculous. Like all we ever think about is going in some place to steal.”


Ash looked down at the boys, they looked up at her, and everyone laughed.


“We’re only doing it because we have to,” she said again.


They reached a supermarket and sauntered through the parking lot.


Chapter 75