Chapter 45: Three days later, Koa slipped past the lava-rock sign marking the entrance to Hawaii Preparatory Academy's Upper Campus, heading into a stand of Norfolk pine trees. Security for the campus was light, and she’d studied a map and figured out how she could sneak past the gatehouse where visitors checked in. She was glad of her reconnaissance as she merged into the trees and worked her way deeper onto the campus, keeping to cover as she made her way toward the Upper Campus’s administrative building.

Koa’s backpack was damp with sweat and grubby from the long climb and hike out of the Valley. She’d hitchhiked to Waimea once at the highway. Sleeping rough without bathing had left her hair tangled, her skin and clothes streaked with mud. She didn’t smell great either, and her stomach rumbled. She’d eaten her last bit of smoked jerky the night before.

All in all, she wasn’t in the best shape to meet her father for the first time, let alone make a good impression. Maybe she could sneak into one of the buildings and take a shower—but getting caught there before she found the man wasn’t optimal, either. Besides, she didn’t have any clean clothing to change into.

He’d have to accept her as she was. Or not.

Her empty stomach fisted.

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