Marilynn:

I finish packing my rather small bag, and flop down on Pamela’s bed. Someone knocks and comes in.

“You ready for tomorrow?” Jeremy asks, coming in.

“Yeah. Just packing.” I say.

He leaves without another word. The minute the door closes, I jump up and grab my bag, feeling the adrenaline rush through me. This is it, I guess. I open the window, and peek around, looking for guards or something. No one but me. I look through Pamela’s drawers, and find 7 scarves. That’s a lot. I tie them together, then tie the end of one to a hook in the room. I hold on to the “rope” and duck through the window. It’s harder than I originally thought. Luckily, as a child I loved rock climbing. When I’m halfway down, with about 6 feet below me, I hear splinters.

“No, no! Oh, gosh, no!” I whisper, and feel like swearing, though I’ve never done that in my life.

After a couple seconds, I think I’m safe, and start climbing again. Then, snap. Suddenly I’m on my back, hardly able to breath. My bag is next to me, and a few things have fallen out. I lie there, trembling for a moment. I wince as I get up, and repack. Yup, the hook and “rope” was lying on the ground in front of me.

I think, maybe I should take those with me. It’s cold in Finland... but then my phone beeps. It’s Pamela.

Booked a flight 2 England. C U soon. Ok... I guess I’m going to England, then.

Ok. I text back. BTW, we'll have to get new names in England. Does Pammy sound good? Or Pam. Or even Ella.

She texts. Idk.

I’ve always liked the name Ella. Mine can be Lin. But only in public, because I like our names. Also, where in England? I type.

Not London... maybe York? I tell her ok, then put my phone down.

I hear someone knocking on my door upstairs, so I run to the airport as fast as humanly possible. I can’t believe I did it!