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I don’t spot Liesel initially when I step into the aisle For a second,that she took off We need her help to get the treasure, to protect the kids

I need her

But then I spot her blonde locks peek up over the last seat in the back of the plane There are a dozen seats between me and her Phoenix takes the first seat at the front, purposefullyme choose between her and Liesel

I sigh and take a seat next to Phoenix I don’t kno to fix the iciness between the two of the in the back of the plane She’s not safe—not

from me

7

Liesel

This is never going to end

Atlas will never be safe

And it’s all my fault

The plane takes off with Phoenix and Langston sitting in the front while I occupy the last seat—the furthest away I can be froe out of my flannel and sweatpants and into new clothes—dark jeans and a tight white T-shirt At least it’s not a long-sleeved shirt like Phoenix usually wears

I need to think, and Langston distracts me My body coet it There won’t be any blood left in my brain to function

I shen I gave Atlas up that I was doing it to protect hi I do is to protect him I won’t let anyone distract me

The words of the letter burn into my head There is only one way to protect Atlas now, and I’h to pull it off

I close my eyes and lean et to Peru