Chapter Thirteen

Karl got into a

fight today at school.

Usually

he can control his

temper,

except at

home.

 

He gets

wild

sometimes.

 

He’s gotten into

fights

before, but he’s

never actually

punched

someone

before. 

 

Especially not

enough to

make

them

bleed.

 

Mom’s going

to be

pissed.

 

When I got

home, he was

sulking in the

basement

with the

stereo

turned up

loud.

 

He left before Mom

came home, and

I haven’t

seen

him

since.

 

I usually don’t

worry,

but I’ve got

a really bad

feeling

this time.

 

I’ve already

downed half a

bottle of

pills.

 

“Where’s your

brother?”

 

I just

shrug.

 

I’m too

tired

and too

medicated

to think

clearly.

 

“I’m not happy,

Kera.  He’s in

big trouble

and you can’t

protect

him.”

 

I burst

into

tears.

 

“Oh honey…”

 

My mom

starts to

hug

me,

but somehow

that scares

me.

 

“Go away! Go, go, go!”

I scream

at the

top

of my

lungs.

 

Over

and

over

again, I

scream.

 

I want the

angel-boy

back.