here,â she says in a determined but almost imperceptible whisper. âThe problem is, by the time you figure that out, itâll be too late for Pauly and me.â
I hang my head regretfully. I had a feeling shewas going to try again to get me to help her and Pauly escape. When I look up, her eyes are watery.
âMy father is a Mormon elder and apostle,â she whispers, and wipes a tear off her cheek. âDo you know what that is?â
âSomeone pretty important in the Mormon church?â
She nods.
âCouldnât you fake it?â I ask.
âI tried, but itâs like this place. They know when youâre BSing them. The problem is, unlike this place theyâre not set up to deal with subversives. They only know how to preach to the faithful. Iâm here because they donât want me contaminating the flock.â
âCanât you go live with a friend or someone?â
âMy father wonât allow it. Either Iâm with him or Iâm here. When youâre that high up in the church, you canât be perceived as failing. And itâs not just an image thing. He absolutely believes that Iâm doomed if I donât join the fold. So I might as well be here, because Iâm damned wherever I am.â
âWhat about a relative?â
âTried that. My momâs parents went to court to try to get guardianship and lost. Somehow my aunt found out where I was and actually came here to get me, but they wouldnât let her in.â
I feel a pang. So she really is stuck here. How can this happen in a democracy that was allegedly founded on the idea of personal liberty, freedom of choice, and the rights of the individual?
Because until you turn eighteen you are not considered an individual.
And you have no rights.
Itâs insanity.
Once again, Sarahâs eyes become teary. âYou see how unfair it is?â
âYes.â
The next question hangs unvoiced in the air between us. How can I
not
help Pauly and her try to escape?
The office door opens and Ted comes in. âAnyone feeling any better?â
Sarah and I lock eyes. Hers are pleading. I look away.
âThe headacheâs gone, sir,â I tell him.
Itâs lunchtime, and Joe is back patrolling the tables. This is the first time Iâve seen him since Megan knocked him out, and except for the lump bulging from the back of his head, he seems the same as before. Thereâs been no sign of Megan.
âAhem.â Adam clears his throat. Today heâs decided to sit directly across from me. On the menu are small, leathery hamburgers on stale buns, and french fries. The fries glisten with grease, but for once theyâre well done and crispy. Around the table theyâre disappearing from plates a lot faster than the hamburgers.
âAhem.â Adam clears his throat again and nods at my plate. As if Iâm going to give him the first tasty thing weâve had to eat in weeks. I shoot him a look to let him know hell will freeze over before he gets one of my fries. He smiles back and reaches into his pocket. Out comes a familiar piece of torn white paper. Itâs one of the notes I wrote to Sarah. I have no idea how he got it.
Adam gestures again at my french fries, like hewants to make a deal. I make a fist and bring it up under my chin. When Joeâs back is turned and none of the chaperones are looking, I flip Adam the bird. His pasty face goes stony, eyes squinting and lizard teeth clenched. A moment later, when Joe passes, Adam holds up the note. âSir? Look what I found.â
Joe takes the note and studies it. âSomeone here write this?â
Adam points at me.
âThis yours, Garrett?â Joe asks.
âSorry, sir?â I shake my head innocently.
âKeep an eye on them, Mr. Gold,â Joe orders, and walks over to the shelf where our Reflections notebooks are stored. He opens mine and starts to compare the note to the handwriting
Joe Hart
Joseph Veramu
Rhys Hughes
Lexie X
Michael Montoure
Nikki Kelly
Kristin Cast
Roxie Noir
Boyd Oxlade
Nora Rock