A Cruel Midnight Errand

POV: Valerie Thorne.

I turned my head away from the glow of the distant streetlamp and bade a hasty, whispered goodbye to Clara. She wrapped her thin jacket tight against her chest and offered a tense nod, marching toward the end of the block to hail a passing cab. I stood on the curb and watched the vehicle pull to the sidewalk. Clara climbed inside. The taillights flared red and vanished into