Gathering what remained of the search party, Samantha stood on the uneven ground and faced them. Her voice was hoarse but steady. “I’m going to keep looking,” she said. “I understand if you have to leave. You have your lives, your families. But I have to find mine.”
She thanked them—sincerely, from the hollow of her chest—and told them they could go, no judgment. Some nodded with tearful eyes, others looked away, ashamed. Samantha didn’t blame them. They weren’t obligated to help her find Juniper. She would do this herself if needed.