The Stop-over

The bus stops right across the road from The Residence. The inspector assists Claire as she alights, carefully bringing down her one-piece luggage. And of course, Sam in her cage, too.

"I guess that's it, Miss Claire," the inspector says sheepishly. On his shirt is scribbled Claire's dedication, done in felt-tipped marker.

"Thank you so much," Claire says, giving him a hug. She looks up; all the other passengers are on the windows, waving at her. She waves back, her eyes looking for the old woman, the one to whom she owes an enormous debt of gratitude. But she's nowhere; either she could not get to the window or she's not bothering to look.

Claire watches the bus continue on its way, its hulky figure growing smaller in the distance. She gazes across the street; The Residence seems fine, as though nothing has changed. Because why not? It has only been a few hours since she "left," for pete's sakes!