Being back here with Halo strikes a chord in me, a painful chord of that night when it had all begun. I swallow as I grab his hand and make my way toward the house.
The house is quiet, unusually quiet. Maybe he has taken her on another spree, changing her closet. I seethe, trying to breathe normally to avoid showing my anger. I make my way to the sitting room when I catch a glint of a balloon.
“Surprise!” A group of people pop out from the corners, children whom I had seen once or twice in Halo’s class or school.
They clap rapidly, smiles plastered on their faces. I scan the entire room, my heart thumping quickly in excitement. There is a banner dangling from the ceiling: ‘Welcome back, Halo.” The banner read.
Drake walks out of the corner of the room, a cake in hand, the candle spar
