I let out a long sigh, trying to quell the conundrum that I've been wrestling with in my head for the last hour. I try to think of something else. As woodlands whiz by out the window, I'm relieved to at least have a vehicle and be putting a decent amount of distance between us and the Fireflies and all of the ugly things that happened in that hospital. Still, what Marlene said haunts me— someday Ellie will grow up and leave, or something will happen.
A glance into the rear view reveals Ellie still out cold on the back seat.
I know I shouldn't lie to her. It's wrong. But I have to. I've formed a bond with her that reminds me of Sarah. I can't lose her. My thoughts go to dark places just thinking of that kind of loss again. If I tell her the truth, she'll never forgive me. What would she have even chosen if she did know the Fireflies' plan? Would she have willingly gone into that surgery, gave her life for a cure? She's so pure I wouldn't put it past her. I shudder at the thought of her dying for a Fireflies' experiment that might not have even worked. And they lied to her too. Marlene didn't tell her that the surgery would kill her.
So I'll lie to her. I'll tell her there were other people that were immune, that despite it all, the doctors couldn't figure out a vaccine. The rest I'll make up along the way and hope it's enough.