Ki

rdly slept a wink. The deep rumbling snores coming from my parents' room was enoug

and yawned, then rubbed the sleep from my eyes. Tomorrow was Saturday. I just

led, and our dads were mutual friends. They introduced us durin

bathroom. Brown scorch marks stained the edge of the tub from where Mom would prepare her next fi

in soft wisps. I peeped through and saw Mom sitting at the small wooden table that was littered wi

g there. She groaned in response, sc

th bouncy curls. Her cheeks used to be plump with dimples on either side of her full lips. Her teeth weren't blackened, and her bones weren't protruding through her skin like sticks be

ed with a vague curiosity creasing her brow. Her face was

g to catch me early so she could try and persuade me to go get her some. It wa

t." I shrugged, coming up with an excuse and not wan

her eyes as her tone turned sour. "

, "but my teacher asked if eve

scared that it would wake up Dad. "

nd Dad fighting, so I stayed and ate dinner with

hat's who called last night,"

stairs, then he entered the kitchen, brus

e asked in h

. "Just school, poking thei

all shut with a rattle. Using one finger, he cracked the ring

ll him out." He shrugged as

re I dreamed about being ripped away. "But

beer, unaffected

g more useful with your time?" Mom aske

rning, you're coming down to the Cage with me. You're gon

d hang out with him tomorrow,"

as all been prearranged. You and Jax are of age

sons at school," I told him, referring to the compulsory cl

end up stuck in a deadbeat ranger's job like me?" He gestured at himself and then all around the grubby kitchen space. "Tak

with him, too scared

ning how to handle yourself in the Cage fir

and skulked over to Mr

sausages, and toast, then sent me off to school

piled through after waving goodbye to their parents and hurried toward the

lled from the edge of the schooly

rry back to where his mom was holding out a Power Ra

es, making him look coddled and cared for. He hadn't the faintest idea how much he was envied by me. His momma took care of everyone. Yet she still made sure he went to school with a full belly and his lunch bag. That was one luck

e walls. Colorful pictures decorated either side where some of our best work took pride of

e figured I'd be a "no show" after yesterday's fiasco, not show up early. The teachi