I was still lost in thoughts when someone suddenly spoke from the crowd.
“I need you to leave before nightfall.”
The words hit me harder than the cold wind outside.
I looked at the settlement leader standing in front of me. “Leave?”
He nodded.
“Tonight?”
“Yes.”
Lydia stepped forward immediately. “You can’t be serious.”
“We have no choice.”
“There has to be another way.”
“There isn’t.”
Lydia pointed toward the crowd. “She has lived here for months. She has done nothing to anyone.”
The leader looked at her. “And we are not blaming her for anything.”
“Then why are you throwing her out?”
“Because of Blackridge.”
The name silenced everyone.
He continued, “If Blackridge discovers Malia is here, they will come looking for her. We cannot risk the entire settlement.”
“She has nowh
