The lights of the dam were around a turn ahead of me. I slammed on the brakes and skidded to a stop. Mel tripped, tumbled, then jumped up and headed for the cover of darkness. I threw the van in park, then opened my door and jumped out. “Mel! It’s me, Silas.” I waved my arms. She slowed and turned, her pale face lit up by the headlights. “Si? Is it really you?” “It’s me, Mel.” She walked closer. Her shirt was torn. She clutched it together at the middle. She had scrapes and bruises on her arms. “Jesus, Mel, what did they do to you?” “I did it to them this time.” She flashed a tired smile. “They won’t capture me again. They’ll want to shoot me now.” The sound of engines gunning erupted in the distance. “We need to go, now.” I grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the van. “They’re coming.” Mel opened the passenger door and hopped in. I took the driver’s seat and shoved the van into reverse, then spun us around. Dirt and gravel flew as the van swung around to face away from Ice Harbor.
