I couldn't focus on anything at school knowing that it wouldn't be long before we were leaving town. I couldn't tell anyone. Not the kids in my class. Not my teachers. Not even my parents. It reminded me of my plan to leave that Alex had warned me against.

I missed him.

I only slept an hour after lunch. I was too excited. I didn't have an exact date and time of when we were leaving town but I knew it would be soon.

Mrs. Stacey let me out of my crib and put one of the coloring books on the table. She set a plastic box filled with crayons beside me before going back to her desk.

I missed my old classroom. I missed sleeping on a cot, rather than a crib. I missed Ms. Diane sitting with me while I colored or letting me sit at her desk with her. She made me feel normal.

"Lyla, why don't you go lie down?"

I opened my eyes and saw Mr. Eric kneeling down beside me. His hand was on the back of my chair. I hadn't even realized I was crying until he came up to me.

I quickly wiped my face, shaking my head in the process. I didn't want to be in a crib anymore than I had to be. And if I could choose to not be in them, even better.

"Your mommy won't be here for a few hours. Are you sure you don't want to try to sleep?"

I knew I'd be bored for a while before mom could come get me. I had already accepted that. I shook my head again.

"Come and get us if you need anything."

I nodded, watching him walk away.

Time seemed to slow after that but maybe it was because I was so eager to leave. I couldn't wait for mom and dad to come get me and tell me everything would be okay. I wanted to leave town and never go back.

However, when she did come, she didn't act any different than any other day.

She draped my jacket over her arm before walking over to me at the table. "Ready to go, sweetie?"

I tried not to let my disappointment show too much as I tossed my crayon in the box and crumpled up the picture I'd been coloring.

"Put these away first."

My shoulders fell as I gathered up the coloring book and the box of crayons and took them to the shelf near the cubbies. I put them back with a sigh.

It felt like mom and dad were letting me down. I really wanted to leave. I wanted to get out of that town and forget about it. I knew deep down that I might never forget the horrible few months we spent there.

But I wanted to.

I let mom help me put my coat on before sitting down so she could put my shoes on my feet. As she did everything the same as she had done it the last few months, I couldn't help but get upset.

It was so unfair. I finally felt a smidge of hope that we would leave that awful place only for it to be dashed. Were we ever leaving or were their words just lies?

"Oh, Lyla, baby. Why are you crying?" Mom brushed a tear from my cheek, her fingers cool against my warm skin.

I covered my face with my hands. I felt like an idiot. Did I really believe my parents were going to save me and get me out of that hell hole? I was stupid to think that things would ever change.

My parents knew damn well what they were doing.

Mom pushed my hands away and I felt something press against my lips. I had no time to react before a pacifier was pushed into my mouth.

I started to pull it out but mom took my hands and moved them away.

"She didn't sleep very long today. I'm sure she's just upset because she's tired." Mr. Eric said, standing over us.

Mom frowned. She helped me to my feet and grabbed my diaper bag. "I'll make sure she gets some rest when we get home."

Pissed off and hating everyone and everything, I followed mom out to the car. The car seat was still in its usual spot and, just like that, my last little bit of hope was gone.