I turned the doorknob slowly and gently pushed into the room. She was sitting on the bed, back toward me, head in her hands.
“Dear God,” she prayed, voice muted by her palms, “tell me, have I got to live like this always?”
I stepped up behind her. “No, you don’t. You don’t have to live like this another minute.”
Tennie jumped up, barely suppressing a scream by clamping a fist to her mouth. “Vickie! What are you doing here?”
“Taking you away from this place.” I seized her wrist. “Hurry. We haven’t got much time. Pack your things and come with me.”
Tennie bent and pulled a carpet bag from beneath her narrow bed. “I am ready.” She held it up with a watery smile.
“How did you know…?”
“The spirits told me you were coming. I just didn’t know when. Wanted to be prepared.” She interlaced he
