She had to run.
Once she got caught, it'd be over.
Luna Durant had hardly ever been involved in the family's business; now she might actually be able to stay clear.
"What about Mechanism City?" Luna asked.
"Who the hell cares about Mechanism City right now?!" Stella Durant's face instantly fell as she snapped, "Move it!"
Luna shivered.
...
Today April Thomason and Jared Oliveira were going with the research group to the neighboring village, Annabelle Pinto included. The research group always set out very early, so they'd also gotten up at the crack of dawn, bleary‑eyed, to go over and have breakfast with them.
Nora Scott had nothing better to do, so she tagged along.
The yard was too crowded; lots of people were standing at the gate or out in the street eating, chatting as they ate, enjoying themselves.
"Huh, how come no one's going next door for breakfast?"
Someone asked, puzzled, not sure who.
