Trapped in his arms

sed against the tarp's bottom. The dried blood that had flowed down the side of my he

my mumbled "shi

shouted at me. When I realized that no one would yell

I said with a sly grin as Avery

n put his hands over his mouth. As I saw hi

ood is not an option. Avery's look of unease remained fixed on hi

d the tarp, I push

malicious grin on his face, he br

w come on" as I yanke

to clean ourselves up with, and we didn't have a change of clothing. It was like trying to find the proverbial needle in a hays

I had no idea what was going to happen to us. I gulped as I opened the classroom door and saw

f the audience, was taken aback by the news. She came out into the

ith your brain?" She let out a

been home in days, so we've been starved. I sobbed uncontrollably and rambled, "I'm

"What about your dad?" She que

and then I distanced myself from her. Before he

said a bad word to an adult," which

e on boys, come with me" as

aw, "I can't believe

out some of the pent-up rage I'

e time chatting wi

going on outside, I pres

he boys' mother is no longer around, then they w

whether they will be separated. She begged him to reconsider. My heart was pounding, and I had to mov

ay?" Avery saw my astonished ap

it'll be okay," I told

kicked his tiny legs beneath the seat of the chair. I wish I could say t

wide and ther

he beamed as if it were fantastic news. Nothing more than a "okay" came out of my mouth. I wanted the best for Avery regardless of whether she ende

ne said with furrowed eyebrows. While I turned the ben

t me down on a counter. She attempted to bandage m

ack to gauge my reaction and then questioned suspiciously. My response was silent nods of agreement. I

walked back and Ms. Jane drove us away. She recru

*

told Avery, "Grab everythi

ly unaware that we were soon to enter fo

't survive on our own," I said as

ke care of me?" His eyes were w

his head, telling him, "I'm still a

om?" The sight of her picture o

r was ill all the time; you knew she would e

age?" Before I saw the sadness lift fr

y," he wiped his c

w staying with Ms. Jane before entering foster care.

hen I asked Avery, all I got was a nod. Avery

ner thought:

retrieved my piggy bank and

appy meal at McDonald's?" With my

, Alex?" She held my p

ming. In my heart, I had always suspected that I was fibbing. Even if I didn't fear I'd

her lips, she nodded. She cast a troubled l

medicine" as we walked out of the building. Her face suddenly took o

y they were awful, but I saw what they did to my mom and I understood. They caused her to become weak an

say. I was worried about losing him, but I wasn't going to allow things to go that far. Even though Ms. Jane persisted on buying

the thick blanket and gave me instructions. She brought down the sofas for Ave

switched off

ds goodnight and

my head was visible. Before Avery realized it wa

Alex in a low voic

ronger than the last, drawing my atten

sofa, I said "Yes" and

e room. He was obviously scared of the

ers to let him in. He raced over

ers were pulled up to his chin as he r

ly and said, "Yeah,