Four of them, three of us. Four, if you counted Jack.

Please – cried one of the three girls.

The boy, the tallest – maybe a year or two younger than me – kept his eyes down. Sorry – just moving through, he mumbled. Didn’t mean to bother you.

But Jo – ! the girl cried out as the boy grabbed her arm roughly. All three of us tensed, ready.

Let her talk, said Ben.

She ain’t got nothing to say. The boy looked everywhere but me.

Sorry, the girl squeaked, glancing at the boy beseechingly. She spoke quickly. Just some water, if you have it, or a little food. We really are only traveling through.

Shall I call your dad? Jack’s voice crackled through.

No! said the boy. His eyes darted to me, and something pushed at the edges of my memory. Just…we gotta go. You haven’t seen us. Please?

Ben, Rachael and I glanced at each other askance. This was beyond weird. People practically beat down our doors for sanctuary. I needed to figure this out, but this skittish bunch wasn’t gonna talk with all of us around.

Fine, I said, taking charge. You can give me an idea where you are headed and I will point you in the right direction. Let’s go. I scooped up Ben and Rachael’s picnic, depositing it in the girls’ hands. Skin and bone, all three of them. Old bruises, weary eyes. The boy was rough with fear, but I didn’t think he’d had a hand in it.

Wait – we’ll come! said Ben.

Secrets are better kept by one, I said, eyeballing the boy. Ben nodded once. He got it.

Rachael made a noise of disgust. Always gotta be the hero. She didn’t.

I pulled a finger sign over my shoulder as I followed them back into the bushes.