I dragged my feet through the back gate,
my hand curling tighter and tighter every time I tried to lift my pace.
Every step felt heavier than the last,
like my body already knew there was pain waiting ahead.
When I turned the corner,
that’s when I saw them —
a group of boys and girls gathered right at my gate.
Laughing.
Whispering.
Watching.
But the second they saw me…
One by one,
they scattered like pigeons chased from a field.
Not even a greeting.
Not even a look back.
Just guilt
and silence
floating in the air behind them.
My heart dropped.
Something was wrong.
I reached the gate and noticed it wasn’t even closed properly.
And when I pushed it open,
I felt a coldness hit me long before I reached the door.
The door was wide open.
Too open.
Suspiciously open.
My
