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"A whole bin full," Niko assured her

Sahalia had grown up a lot in the last couple days

I wish I was the strong and silent type who never cries and never shows e with Astrid to take down the plyall over the gate, and tears welled up,blurry and shiny

My dear, serious, smart brother

How could I do this to hi down that plywood until we are all in our clothes and have our face ate?" I said, turning to Niko

"I figured out how to retract it," Alex said

I nodded and looked away fro up in me

All the others were already in their many layers of clothes They all had their et her mask

They were ready

"Where’s Chloe?" Niko said

"She got very, very sleepy, so I put her in the bus to have a rest," Josie said

I guess a sleeping pill works pretty fast on an eight-year-old

"Alex, can I talk to you?" I said

"Here are your layers, Dean," Josie said, handing me a stack of sweatpants "And I have your ‘vitamins,’ too"

"I want vitamins!" Caroline said

"Me too!" said Henry

Josie shushed them

"Alex, I need to talk to you," I said

"You can talk on the bus," Niko said, pulling on his clothes "Put your layers on"

I looked to Astrid Josie was dressing her, pulling sweatshirts over Astrid’s head and helping her to stick her arh the sleeves

"Come on, Astrid," Josie said "Helpwith me over the heads of our busy friends Our best friends Our fa"

Heads turned

"Astrid and I are staying"

Josie looked at Astrid’s face

"What is he talking about?" she asked

Astrid nodded, miserable

"That’s not funny, Dean," Alex said He took the sweatshirt Josie was still holding and pushed it into ," I said

"No, you’re not!" he shouted

"We have to stay"

"You have to co to his eyes His lips were drawn in a straight line

"It’s not safe for us to be on the bus," I said

"Niko, tell them they have to come! Make them come!"

Niko continued to dress himself

"Niko!" Alex yelled "Tell theht It’s safer for them and safer for us if they stay"

Alex screarabbed hied hi to find our parents"

"No"

"And you will know exactly where I aet me"

"Please, Dean Please!"

"It’s safer for us and safer for you if we stay," I repeated what Niko had said

"You’re staying…" He struggled for a breath "You’re staying…"

He pushed away fro for a girl!" he spat ather over me! Over our mom and dad!"

He walked away fro to see your faain! I hate you!"

And he turned and boarded the bus

"Alex," I said, tears strea down my face

Niko put his hand on uys are staying we need to rethink hoe deal with the gate," he said "Also, I think you should keep Chloe"

I looked at Astrid and she nodded

"She’s not going to like it," Josie said "Being left behind"

She would be furious, when she woke up

But, really, she would be safe with us and the others would be safe from her

I carried her warm, heavy body off the bus and laid her on Brayden’s dirty air mattress