a dull roar in my ears, a chaotic back

ain, but this was

ip, I screamed when I saw my sixteen-yea

away from their beat

I th

pe to a rich family he believed was waiting for him, a fantasy he' d concocted

, he made my life a living he

s every failure, hi

birthday, a special blend i

leaned close, his eyes

o, Sarah," he whispered,

dar

Florida sun just as hot, the

face, nodding to the same suspicious men b

ck, furtive movement, th

, I didn'

e, I did

ver me, a chilling echo of

his face alight with what he t

door sla

s of children on a nearby ro

ond chance, not for salvation, bu

clear. He wanted to be gone, a