There was a whole team of kind strangers who helped me out of the woods. Right away Luke covered me in a blanket and talked to me until the others came up to where we were. Then someone who acted like a doctor came and checked all over me and asked a million questions about what hurt. I think I answered "yes" to every place he touched.

More people came and they strapped me onto a litter. People talked to me the whole time. I tried to answer back, though I have no idea what I said. They asked me what day it was, what my name was, where I was, who was the President of the United States… and other stuff, like how old I was, did I have a boyfriend, what was my favorite food… I wanted to sleep but they just wouldn't let me. They just talked and talked.

I cried and screamed with pain when they moved me from the litter onto the stretcher. Everything hurt, and I felt like I could no longer even move on my own.

After what seemed like forever we came out of the woods and suddenly all of my brothers were there, really there. Darry was pushing back my hair and looking like he was gonna cry, and Soda was kissing me on the cheek. Pony was crying and squeezing my hand. They were all talking at me at once and I could understand none of what they were saying but I was so glad to hear their voices. I wanted to touch them and hug them but I couldn't raise my arms.

I was out of it, but had something I felt I needed to say.

"I'm sorry," I said, or I hoped I said. It was so hard to tell what was real. "I'm really sorry."

I heard the paramedics. "All right, only one of you in the ambulance. Who's coming?"

"Darry." I said, and decided for them. That I know I said out loud, from the others' reaction.

"We'll meet you there," Soda said, running off, and within seconds I heard Soda start the engine, slam it into gear, and peel away in Darry's truck. Even that was a welcome sound, I had missed everything so much.

I lay in the ambulance, Darry looking down at me. I wanted to say so much but I was so tired. And warm, finally. It felt so good to be warm. The paramedics worked on me but I felt nothing.

Darry looked down at me. He looked sad and I wasn't sure why. I just looked at him. My mouth wasn't working.

He kissed his fingers and placed them on my lips. I remembered how I had run out without telling him, how I must have scared him. "I didn't mean to, Darry," I think I said, though I seemed to have no voice.

I don't even know if he replied. He put his hand on my cheek and I fell into the best sleep I have ever felt. No dreams, no interruptions. Pure sleep.