chapter 27

Abbie “That doesn’t make it your fault,” Gannon says. “And afterward?” he asks, and I stare, unblinking out the windshield for a second before my gaze goes to my fingers as I pick at the skin. “Azalea found me afterward. We cooked dinner, and she fed us. We were allowed a bowl of rice to share. Both of us were starving, yet neither of us touched it. That was the payment, a bowl of rice.” A tear escapes, knowing my worth to her was a bowl of rice. “Mrs. Daley then called us ungrateful, and Azalea,” Taking a deep breath, I shut my eyes as the guilt rolls over me in waves. Shame stains my thoughts, knowing she bore over half of her cuts that day because of me. “She was punished for our refusal.” My voice comes out weaker than intended, “It was supposed to be just five lashes; cruel nevertheless, but more bearable – Mrs. Daley made it forty.” “Was supposed to be five?” Gannon’s question pulls me from my haunted memory. A slight nod is all I manage while battling the fresh onslaught of guil