I was still walking across the prison yard when my foot caught a branch, and I went tumbling into the grass. A cat screeched as I landed on top of it, and Eddie gasped.
“Hey, watch it,” someone growled. The voice had a unique twang to it, so it was easy to recognize.
“Alistair?” I asked. I realized then that I hadn’t tripped over a branch. It’d been Alistair’s cane.
“Who’s asking?” he demanded.
I stood and dusted myself off. “It’s Charlie.”
Alistair’s tone became friendly. “Ah, Charlie. Sorry, didn’t see ya there.”
I snickered at the lame joke. “Same. Eddie or Oberi could’ve warned me.”
Oberi huffed.Someone needs to knock you on your ass every once in a while.
“Eddie, huh?” Alistair said. “You’re an Elf, aren’t you? You friend or foe?”
“Friend,” Eddie stated proudly.
“Ah, good. We could all use some around here. The people in this place are bat-shit crazy. Am I right?” Alistair babbled. “And don’t get me started on the professors. This bitch Professor Mazur caught me reading the braille signs outside the bathrooms and chastised me fortrying to snatch a peek inside the ladies’ room.Please, like I’d want to seeherugly ass.”
“You know braille?” I asked.
“Yeah. You don’t?”
“Never had the chance to learn.”
Alistair sounded disappointed. “Stupid education system. It’s like it’s set up to fail us. But if you want, I’ll teach you, Charlie.”
“Really?” My voice brightened. “That would be great.”
I’d been interested in learning braille, but no one had ever offered to teach me. This could be another tool I could use to navigate my world. I couldn’t wait to get started on it.
“Charlie!” a voice growled as a man approached. I didn’t recognize the voice at first, but he sounded angry.
I sighed and turned toward him. “Hell, what now?”
“My sister’s pissed. What did you say to her?” he demanded.
I realized then that it was Ezekiel. Great. More drama to deal with.
“Nothing,” I said. “What happened?”
“I don’t know, you tell me,” he demanded. “I walked in on her crying.”
Ouch. If that didn’t twist me up inside, nothing did.
“We just talked about her eating,” I confessed, but Ez apparently didn’t like that.
“You don’t think before you talk, do you!?” he accused. “You can’t say that kind of stuff to my sister. You know she’s struggled with eating disorders.”
“Yeah, and I was trying tohelp,” I emphasized.
“Ava doesn’t want your help,” he spat.
I gaped. “Did she say that?”
“She won’t say it, but I know the truth,” he accused. “She’s not eating because ofyou.You broke my sister’s heart!”
