"Jim!" Lana responded and had to fight hard not to burst into tears just at the sound of his voice. "Thank God, I reached you."

"I'm okay," Lana said, trying to keep it together, but slowly fracturing. "At least mostly. I was... I don't know what happened. Something terrible and I was gone at least a week except only a day had gone by and there was no food and almost no water and, I don't know, terrible things happened, but I'm in the clinic now and safe, I think, even though I'm still so scared and I'm sorry I didn't call, but I was gone and then I didn't have my phone and god, I'm so sorry and I miss you so much!"

She was clearly trying to hide her sobs by the end.

"I'm okay," Lana said, still sniffling. "But I'm pretty bruised up and there are some weird little places where it looks like I got cut. And I lost a lot of weight because of the no food for a week and they're worried about that, 'cause well, I'd already... But I'm okay. Just... scared because nobody knows what happened, but okay. And better now that I can talk to you. I did't even listen to your messages, just called as soon as I got my phone."

"I wish you were here right now," Lana admitted. "That's - when I kind of came around finally I thought I'd been gone a week and you'd be back and I was just... it was even worse knowing you weren't anywhere close to being home. But, I don't want you to get your dad upset - he already doesn't like me."

She sighed. "Besides, even if you left today - or your today, you'd barely get back a day sooner."

"Okay," Lana said, feeling incredibly guilty. "I'm so sorry I'm getting you kicked out. And yes, I want you home. As soon as you can come. I'll feel safe with you here and I'm so scared right now."

"I love you, too," Lana whispered. "So much. I feel better just hearing your voice."

Lana could feel herself starting to tear up again. "Thank you," she managed. "Thank you. I want you here so much. I love you."

Lana nodded, clinging to the phone, then realized he couldn't hear her. "I'll be okay," she said. "Everybody is really good to me. And knowing you're on your way... that will help, give me something to hold onto."

"I am," she said, feeling the tears come again. "I swear. I swear, I am. I didn't not eat on purpose. I just - they - I... there was no food. Nothing. I thought I'd starve. I've been so hungry."

"I know you're not mad," she said, trying to get herself back under control. "I know you're just scared and worried about me. I'm just... so tired and scared. Please, just come home soon."

"I'll try not to be," Lana said, her breath doing that after-tears-catching-thing. "I'll just think about you on your way here. Just that. And imagine you're here with me, holding me."

Lana nodded again. "Okay. And I'll rest and eat and get better so I can be home too." Her voice got very quiet. "I should let you go now. I love you."