CHAPTER FIVE
The Cry of her HeartThe bus disgorged Leilah at school and the driver yelled at her. “Get on with youse!” he growled, caulking his throat with a gob full of phlegm. “b****y flooding’s making me late.”
“Sorry.” Leilah stood and clutched her school blazer close around her throat. Rain tipped from the heavens like angry angels doused the earth with buckets of cold water. Each drop fell as large as a coin and soaked her before she reached the shelter of the bus stop.
“Lei!” Dante jabbed her shoulder blade with a pointy finger. “What’s wrong with you today? You looked like you wanted to stay on the bus.” He hoisted a battered umbrella over them both and frowned at the sight of her swollen lip.
“Tired.” Leilah yawned. She sagged against him and rubbed a hand across her mouth, th
