Chapter 4

The next day, to Simone’s joy, Michael was at school. But he didn’t look the same. He was paler, and had a lost expression on his face. The same one Rena had on that day at the Café. The expression that hints something is very wrong.

            “Michael! Hi, I’m so glad you’re better. You’ve missed a lot, you know.” Michael didn’t say anything.

            “Sorry, Simone. I’m not in the mood.” He muttered in a stern, quiet voice. He slowly got up and left the classroom.

            Simone was hurt, tears forming around her widened eyes. Not only because Michael had brushed her off, but also because he looked so much in pain. She turned around, glaring at Jane, who was sitting at her desk, staring at nothing as usual. She also had that lost expression.

            All of a sudden, Jane started having a panic attack.

“Mikey! Mikey!” she wailed, sobbing. Over and over, yelling Michaels name. She pounded her small fists on the desk, her voice turning high pitch.

A demon awoke inside of Simone. She stormed over to Jane, grabbing her by the collar. “Shut the f**k up.”

The other kids in the classroom stood back, hushed and startled. Whispers spread around the room. Jane continued to scream Michaels name, only louder this time.

“Shut up! Shut up!” Simone screeched. “You’re the reason why your brother is like this, you f*****g worthless runt! You’ve done this to Michael!” Simone shouted more, her pupils turning small. She threw Jane across the room with full force and grabbed a chair, making her way towards her.

“It’s all your fault, it’s all your fault.” She hissed, hovering over the sobbing Jane, who still managed to say her brothers name in between sobs.

“SHUT UP!” Simone cried, smashing the chair against Jane. She squirmed, turning blue and coughed up blood.

“Stop it, Miriam! Stop!” Rena yelled from the back of the room. “Drop the chair! She’s only a kid! I’m going to go get Miss Glenbar!” Rena ran out of the room. Just as she was running out, Michael walked in.

“Mikey! Mikey!” Jane wailed.

“What’s going on? What’s the meaning of this, Simone?” Michael huffed, quickly running over to his sister. “Why does everyone always do this to us? Why won’t they leave us alone? What did we do to deserve this?” Michael whispered rapidly.

Simone felt the tears against her lips as she dropped the chair, backing out of the classroom. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry…” Then Simone ran. She ran as if there was someone chasing her.

In the middle of the village forest, she fell to her knees crying. It wasn’t fair to Michael that Jane wasn’t letting him live his life. Jane didn’t deserve him. She didn’t treat him well, not the way that Simone would treat him. She started to cry even harder, for Michael, and for herself for not feeling any guilt for hurting Jane. She hated Jane. Nothing could change that.