Page 84 of Unbound
"Jesse, you can't—" Diana started.
"I already did. I made the deal."
Adrian crossed the room in three strides, gripping my shoulders. "You'll die there. A year at that place—"
"I survived before. I'll survive again."
"Barely! And you came back broken!"
"Then I'll come back broken again, and you'll have to put me back together. But at least Anthony won't."
Sam stopped pacing. "There has to be another way."
"There isn't." I pulled free from Adrian's grip. "The court order only covers me, not other children of church leadership. They can take the other children whenever they want. The only way to stop this is for me to give them what they want."
Professor Okonkwo set down his coffee cup. "Jesse, I understand the impulse, but this is martyrdom."
"It's my responsibility. I started this. I finish it."
Adrian pulled me aside, voice breaking as he pleaded. "Please don't do this. Please."
"I have to."
"Then I'll come with you. I'll wait in Montana, visit you—"
"No contact with outside. That was the deal." I touched his face gently, memorizing the feel of his skin. "Adrian, I have to do this. That kid is there because of me."
"What about us? What about everything we—"
"Keep fighting. Legally, publicly, whatever you can do. While I'm in there, work on getting Anthony away from his parents permanently. Save him so they can't put him back in." My thumb traced his cheekbone. "But I can't live knowing someone else is suffering because I was too cowardly to face the consequences of my choices."
"Going back there isn't courage. It's suicide."
"Maybe it is. But at least it's my choice this time."
We stood in silence, foreheads pressed together. I tried to memorize this moment—might be the last time I felt safe, loved, wanted.
"I love you," Adrian whispered. "Did I mention that?"
"Once. In a text."
"I love you. I'm in love with you. I'll wait forever if I have to."
I kissed him softly, tasting salt from tears I didn't realize I was crying. "I love you too. Don't wait forever. Just... remember me."
I packed what little I had. Rebecca appeared in the doorway as I folded the few clothes that were actually mine.
"I heard. You're really doing this?"
"Have to."
"Always the martyr. Even when we were kids, you always ate my broccoli because you knew I hated it." She sat on the bed. "I'm coming with you. To Montana. I'll stay nearby, make sure they don't—"
"Rebecca, you already lost your family for me."
"Then I'm not losing you too. I'm coming."
I wanted to argue, but I was too tired. And maybe having someone nearby who cared would help. Maybe.
