"My parents are dead," Molly said.
"They are? I'm so sorry to hear that." She gave Molly a brief hug. "In that case we can go somewhere else. There's a whole big world out there. We can see it all, the two of us."
Molly thought about what Veronica said. She supposed it all made sense. And traveling the world with Veronica was much better than sitting around Eternity eating unleavened bread with Becky. "I love you, Mama Veronica," she said, hugging Veronica.
"I love you too, honey." Veronica peeled away the covers and helped Molly from the bed. They found her jacket and boots and the doll of Sir Francis that she clutched to her chest. She didn't want any of the others; they would all remind her too much of this place. She didn't ever want to think of Eternity again in her whole life.
They went out the front door, Veronica pausing to look around. Then she hefted Molly onto her shoulders and galloped into the trees. She ran out of breath by the time they reached the forest and set Molly on the ground. "I'm too old for this. If only there was some way to turn back time so I'd be younger. Then the bad people chasing me couldn't recognize me and we could be together forever," Veronica said.
"I know a way," Molly said.
"You do?"
"Yes. I'll show you." She took Mama Veronica's hand and started to lead her down the path to the caves. Soon Mama Veronica would be young again and they could see the world together without worrying about anyone stopping them.