*Ashley*
As we walk home, I try to keep the mood light for Alexander, I do not want him to think about shootings or to think about the security trailing us like shadows, much closer now than earlier in the day. “So, who wants to watch their favorite show when we get home?” I ask, giving him a smile that I hope masks the worry creeping into my chest.
“I do!” Alex replies, his voice still small, but a flicker of excitement dances in his eyes. He has always been quick to forget any bad things.
“Alright, we’ll make popcorn, and then you can pick whatever you want to watch,” I say, ruffling his hair as we turn the corner.
But as I glance at Lucas, I can see that he’s tense. His jaw is set, and his eyes flicker around us, scanning our surroundings as if expecting danger to jump out from the
