Jo ran down the road stumbling as tears filled her eyes, blurring her vision. It couldn't be – not Meg! She ran faster, not caring as the pins in her hair ripped through, nicking her scalp and flying to the brush that lined the road. The faster she ran the easier it was to see and she was soon racing through the glen, over the brook and to the Walden's fencing posts. She ran past them up the path and back onto the road.
Her chest was afire and her legs ached fiercely but still she ran right up to the gate, pushing it open and cursing when it swung back at the force and caught the side of her head. Holding the throbbing brow she fumbled on, tears falling freely down her face. She wrenched open the door, ignoring her father's call as she climbed the steps two at a time, almost three before she slipped and grazed her shin. Picking herself up she clutched her head and hopped up the rest of the way until at last she reached the garret. Jo tore open the door, letting the lock click shut behind her as she dived for the sofa and cried her heart out.
It couldn't be. It wasn't true. It wasn't happening.
Meg was dead.