#Chapter 197: Defenseless

From beside me, Miles can easily see the paper. Yet, kind as he is, he doesn’t say one single word. “I stole from the corner store one too many times,” I explain. “I can’t fault the owner for finally trying to teach me a lesson.” Miles nods. “And the arson…?” “Attempted,” I clarify. “It was a fool attempt made my two fumbling children who didn’t know what they were doing, or how else to save themselves.” “You and Daphne?” Miles asks. “Yes.” We were together in everything back then, even our crimes. Maybe especially our crimes. “We tried to burn down the orphanage with a newspaper and a bottle of alcohol we swiped from Edward. We weren’t smart at it. We tried to light it outside, against the brick face of the building. Then the lighter we swiped was out of fluid.” “I’m surprised Edward turned you in,” Miles says. “He didn’t. The policeman came by looking for us after the theft at the corner store. This was just one more charge to add to our wrap sheet. After that, I spent