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“Do you have any questions?”

“No Thank you”

“Don’t forget”—she points to the eency button by the door—“to use this at any time For any reason”

I nod She was very direct when she showed me the button by the front door and in the bedroom

“We can always move you to a double,” she says

I shake my head “I want to live alone I need to”

“I understand After six months at the retreat center, I’m sure you need some space”

Though the retreat center has nothing to do with le room in the Manhattan safehouse

Zee doesn’t call it a safehouse, of course She calls it a furnished apartment, and it is Except it’s not It’s a safehouse—an apart the Wolfes maintain for the women ere rescued from Treasure Island

I clear my throat “How many women are here?”

“So far, just you, Aspen, and Dece another soon”

“Aspen?” Deceereye, but Aspen… Why does the name escape me?

“Garnet”

“Right And I’m Katelyn”

“Only if you want to be You can be whoever you want now”

“No, I’ ot it

Soe their nain a new life I want to be Katelyn Katelyn Mary Brooks froeles

Katelyn Mary Brooks who visited Brooklyn one day in the past…and who never returned

Except now I’ve returned

“Whenever you’re ready to contact your family—”

I gesture Zee to stop “Not yet I’m not ready to face them yet”

“There’s no shame in what happened to you”

“I know that”

And I do I’m not ashamed I’m just…not ready to see my family for any extended period My time with them wasn’t pleasant Of course, co paradise

Still…

“Are you sure you don’t want the check-ins?”

I nod again “I won’t learn to walk again if I can’t give up the crutches”

Honestly, it’s bad enough I’ provided by the Wolfe family, but I have no choice Until I can find work and make some money, this is where I must live

“You can always change your uards available too”

A bodyguard is the ultimate crutch No way

“Thank you,” is all I say