6 Digit Passcode by Abigail Collins Page B

is crumpled and torn when I pull it out of my pocket, but when I join the ripped halves together and smooth it out with my palms I can read it just fine. It’s in my mother’s handwriting, and she clearly wrote it as neatly as she could manage. It is addressed to me. My heart pounds painfully as I read it, and my pulse quickens the farther down the page my eyes scan.
     
    My Dearest Everly,
    I’m so terribly sorry that I kept this from you for so long. I wanted to tell you, but I never found the right time. And I didn’t want to scare you, because I didn’t know whether or not I was right. But now I know that I am. And I also know that you are in danger.
    Believe me, sweetheart, I never wanted anything like this to happen to you. When I was a young girl, just a little older than you are now, something bad happened to me and I was forced to leave my home forever. I had thought that starting a family and building a new life would help me to forget my past, but now it has come back for me.
    I don’t want you to know what I did with my life before you were born. I don’t want you to grow up thinking ill of me, and I know that you would if you knew.
    They won’t try to kill you if they can take me instead, so I am going to let them.
    You and your brother are safe for now, but I can’t promise that you always will be. Because of the mistakes I made in my past, I’m afraid I’ve put the people I love in harm’s way. Don’t let anyone tell you that you’re to blame for any of this. I’m sorry I ever got you involved in this mess in the first place.
    I never found out what exactly would have happened to me if I hadn’t left home so long ago. But I’m proud of the life I’ve made for myself, even if it was founded on lies. My real name isn’t Teresa, but I’m not going to tell you what it is. I want you to remember me as the woman who raised you, and not as the scared little girl who ran away and hid to protect herself.
    But that’s what I’m asking you to do. My brave, sweet little girl, I’m afraid I have to ask you to hide for me. I know the Digits will come for you eventually, once they realize who you really are. But no matter what you do, don’t let them keep you. I think you can imagine what will happen to you if they do.
    By the time you read this, I will be dead. Please, don’t blame yourself. You couldn’t have done anything to save me. And don’t let yourself think that I died to protect you, because the guilt you’ll suffer will make my sacrifice meaningless. I need you to live for me, now. I need you to be brave, but I also need you to be selfish.
    Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, you need to leave. Don’t even bother packing your suitcase. Don’t pause to mourn me or your father, and don’t stay long enough for them to come back for you.
    Just take your brother and run. Get as far away from here as you can. It doesn’t matter where you go, just that you do. Change your name and start your life over again, just like I did when I was your age.
    I’m incredibly sorry that I have brought this burden upon you. You shouldn’t have to raise your own brother, and you’re too young not to have a place to call home. But believe me when I say that this all really is for the best. I couldn’t have asked for a better life, even if it isn’t my own.
    You’ll always be my baby girl, and I’ll always love you. Be strong, and take good care of your little brother.
    Love, Mama
     
    By the time the piece of paper hits the floor, my feet have already pounded across nearly a block of pavement in my rush to get to Fray as quickly as possible. I have a bad feeling that my mother’s letter might have come to me too late.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter ten
     
     
    My brother is waiting for me when I get back to Crissy’s house,