I nodded. “It’s been worse since…”
But I fell silent because it wasn’t her fault. She had to go to school. We all did.
When I turned twelve, it would be my turn.
We didn’t have a choice.
I didn’t want it to sound like I blamed her, but it had been happening more and more since she left for school. Their screams were getting louder.
I didn’t know what happened to them…or what made them finally stop.
Some things I didn’t want to know.
“It’s bad at school, too.” Nana sighed, settling Oscar closer to me. Letting me know he was ready for me to pet him. “Every day, someone is taken from class. Corrective action. That’s what they call it.”
“What are they doing wrong?”
“Nothing,” she snapped.
My hand retreated to my lap.
“I’m sorry.” She shook her head, stroking a path down Oscar’s back. She played with his ears and ran her fingers over the top of his head. “I just…I can’t find what they’re doing wrong. I can’t figure it out. Most of the time, the kids are just playing with their friends. When they come back, it’s like they’re different. Changed, somehow. But I don’t know what it is that pulls them in.”
I listened to her quietly. My body calming as she traced familiar patterns on top of Oscar’s head. Pushing away the fear that slithered down my spine.
“It’s scary,” she whispered. “Not knowing if I might do something without realizing it’s wrong. Not knowing if I might be next.”
“I wish I was there with you.”
She took my hand, squeezing tightly. “I’m glad you’re not.”
I squeezed back. “But then, I wouldn’t be here.”
“Yeah,” she sighed, pulling me in tightly against her.
The screams continued.
And I couldn’t stand it.
But as we waited for them to fall quiet, she held my hand in the dark.
Kingston
ONE YEAR AGO
Why would you do that?
Amber eyes met mine, unguarded and free. Bright. My new best friend stared at me from atop the rock he’d climbed, once we’d gotten far enough away from the house.
The curious lilt to his head as he assessed me should have made me uncomfortable. It should’ve frightened me. What he might see.
But it didn’t.
Why would you ask to leave?
Why wouldn’t I?
He hopped off the rock and stepped toward me, and my heartbeat raced inside my chest.
