CRYSTAL.
“Noah, I’m sorry, but this is the only chance we have.” My voice shook as I balanced my bag on one shoulder and stepped onto the bus. My hands wouldn’t stop trembling, and I wasn’t sure if it was from fear, exhaustion, or the thought of what I was about to do.
“Crystal, just come back,” Noah said through the phone, his tone caught between pleading and frustration. “I already called my uncle. He contacted his doctor and said he’ll get back to me with a response in a few hours.”
A few hours? We didn’t have a few hours.
I squeezed the phone tighter. “Was he specific about how many hours, Noah?” I asked, my voice breaking as I found my seat near the window. The air-conditioning was on full blast, but I was still sweating.
“No,” he said quietly, “but I’m positive about this. Just
