Silent Run

grow up and have a happy life, and one day you’ll have a family of your own. I can see it now as clearly as I can see you. You just have to have faith, child. The bad times will pass. There’s only good coming your way."
    Tears filled her eyes as Mrs. Murphy’s words rang through her head. The voice was so loud, she turned her head to make sure Mrs. Murphy wasn’t actually speaking to her, but she was as still as she’d been before.
    â€œShe used to take care of me in between houses.
    She’d be the one to pick me up and buy me an ice cream or a hot chocolate, and then we’d go somewhere else. She’d always tell me it was going to be all right. I just had to wait and see.” Sarah paused. “I believed her every time. I couldn’t stop believing. Catherine and Teresa used to tell me that I had to give up making wishes, but I couldn’t stop."
    â€œNot even when you were an adult,” Jake cut in. “You wished on everything -- birthday candles, stars that were probably airplanes, but what the hell, you wished on them anyway. You were superstitious, too. You couldn’t walk under a ladder, and when a black cat crossed in front of us, I thought you were going to have a heart attack."
    â€œI remember throwing salt over my shoulder and knocking on wood,” Sarah continued. “Catherine said I was a fool; no one was listening to my wishes or prayers, and it was a waste of time. Teresa said dreams were for suckers, and she wasn’t going to let me be a sucker. The two of them were going to make me into a street kid."
    â€œSounds like you’re remembering more and more."
    â€œI hear their voices now in my head.” She gave him a quick look, hoping he didn’t still think she was holding out on him, but there was no more suspicion in his eyes, just weariness and perhaps a little bit of hope that they were getting close. “But those girls, Mrs. Murphy, they were from a long time ago. I was with you at least two years, and before that I was in Chicago or God knows where. I’m not remembering anything important -- anything that’s going to get us closer to Caitlyn."
    â€œYou’re getting your memory muscles warmed up,” he said.
    â€œWhy are you being nice to me all of a sudden?"
    â€œAm I? That wasn’t my intention."
    â€œYou just can’t help it. You’re a good guy."
    â€œYou used to think so,” he said roughly, his voice sending a ripple of awareness down her spine.
    She turned away from his gaze, rattled by the sudden spark of attraction between them. She couldn’t let herself get sidetracked. Drawing a deep breath, she focused on the woman in the bed. A moment later she said, “I remember Mrs. Murphy from my past, but not from last week or last month, even though it’s clear I was in her house with Caitlyn at some point, and she obviously helped me get an apartment. I must have kept in touch with her over the years. I wonder why I didn’t mention her to you. I wonder why I kept the foster-care stuff a secret from you."
    â€œWhatever put you in danger happened before you met me,” Jake said. “You didn’t want anyone to be able to trace your past. Apparently that included me."
    Even though she wasn’t looking at him, she could hear the pain in his voice, and she could feel the anger in the tight muscles of his body, just inches from hers. She knew her memory lapse was driving him crazy, and she suspected patience was not his strong suit, but she had to give him credit for hanging in there.
    â€œYou also knew Mrs. Murphy was hurt before you ran up the coast. Maybe she’s part of the fear that’s keeping your memory away,” he added.
    â€œI’m trying to face the fear, Jake,” she said, looking back at him. “I keep telling myself that whatever it is, I just need to remember so I can find Caitlyn and protect her. I really wish this had worked."
    â€œWell, it was worth a shot. I suspect there must be a police report on the break-in. Maybe I’ll give Deputy Manning a call, see if he can find out what happened from the local cops."
    She put a hand on his arm. “I don’t think we should involve the police."
    â€œSarah, this is too big for us to figure out. We need some help, and we need to get you protection."
    â€œNot the police,” she said, sudden terror running through her veins. “They can’t protect me. If you