Chapter 13River
Spilling a secret you’ve kept for so long hurts as much as it brings relief. I felt like the words came out of my throat, pulling tiny cheese graters behind them, and I was surprised I didn’t see blood spilling out with them.
I’d been assaulted a couple of times since Mr. Harries, but nobody else had made me feel terror like he had in that moment. I’d somehow been sure he’d kill me right there. Yet somehow, after he let me go and told me to go enjoy my final day with my best friend, I’d pulled myself together and gone to do just that.
It was the last truly summer day I had for years. Of course, I’d tried to come back once more, but the way he’d glared at me and the way Mrs. Harries had sided with him had struck me. But not as much as Ben’s confused, upset gaze when they
