Prologue
The Jeep's tires sang on the asphalt as she drove. Night was coming on fast, and she wanted to be at her new apartment before darkness set in. Still, she couldn't keep herself from turning off the freeway into the scenic overlook. Years ago, when she had lived here all her short life, she couldn't understand why people stood in awe this far above the city. Now, after so long away, she knew what they saw in it. The miles of interconnecting streets lit up like Christmas, a brilliant spider's web of humanity stretching out through the valley.
Angel Grove.
How long had she been away? How many years had it been since she last set foot there?
Too many, according to her mother.
Too few, said the ache in her chest.
The engine purred patiently as she sat, letting memories blow through her mind as the Santa Ana winds did her blonde hair. Her slim fingers curled around the chill metal hanging from the rear view mirror, remembering the last time it had sounded a call. It had been silent for as long as she had been away and was little more than a replacement for the lucky rabbit's foot that had grown politically incorrect around the time she reached junior high. Her hand dropped from the blue and silver talisman, and her eyes returned to the road.
A rueful smile pulled at her mouth as she shifted gears. "Let's do this."
