It did seem normal to her. Alex sometimes lost perspective on how odd some aspects of her life must seem to people who didn't live like her, on the run and using a fake name, lying to everyone she met just to stay alive. It must be especially odd to an honest person like Kyle. His honesty was part of why she cared for him so much, and she wouldn't change that about him for the world, but right now they had to be a little sneaky to keep in touch.

"This kind of thing kept me alive for a long time." She wasn't annoyed or lecturing, just trying to explain. "It won't be like this forever. James'll figure something out, or the heat will blow over, and we can be... normal."

She smiles faintly. "I did talk to the guy at the phone store when I bought them. But I promise not to pick up if he calls me."