The door shut behind Nigel. Emma sighed. She trudged to her room, he wouldn't be home for a while. She clicked the door shut. She grabbed a floppy, falling apart binder from the floor and flopped down on her bed. She flipped through the pictures she had taken last night when she had sneaked out. What were those things? They were the things guarding the building, she was sure of it, but the pictures were so dark and blurry that she couldn't be sure what the dark shapes were. If only I could have gotten to that light switch, Emma thought. She stared out her window. There was only an expense of dry grass and rock. In some areas of the land scape, there were bushes and trees. It was already dark outside. Not wanting to stare at the dismal landscape, she closed the curtains. Emma looked at Nigels empty bed across the room. She turned her mind to other problems, why was Mom going away? She hadn't told her. Maybe the best way is to ask. She stood up and opened her door and walked out to Mom. "Mom, why are you leaving?" Mrs. Eades stared at her a moment, her blue eyes met Emma's brown ones. She hesitated to answer, but finally, she spoke.
     "Emma, I'm sure you have ideas about what your brother is doing."
     "Yes ma'am"
     "He should come home tonight, but, if he tries to escape and makes it, just make sure you get to the force field."
    "Force field?"
    "If you can get as far as that tall hill (she then pointed out the window) you'll be under the force field."
    "You mean to go with him?"
    "If it means you can leave this place."
    "But, Mom, what about you, we can't leave you behind."
    "Call me, I'll find a way to avoid coming back and meet you guys in Dawsonville nearby"
     "I've never heard of that place!"
     "Just walk and find a road, you'll see a sign eventually" Emma was silent. She knew Nigel and the others had been trying to escape, but somehow, she never pictured it actually happening. The idea scared her. She walked back to her room. She pulled her sketching things from her drawer. She wasn't good at sketching, but she tried anyway. Then, she thought if I might be leaving, I might want to pack a few things. She pulled a large bag with a wide shoulder strap from the closet. She put some money, her phone and charger, a book and her iPad in the bag. She went around her room, adding things. She got a snack or two as well. Then, she sat down to sketch.