Chapter 2

At the table, they kept getting food into my bowl, showing concern over me.

I chewed a rib Mom had picked out for me, tears in my eyes. I steadied myself and finally said, “Mom, George, Megan… there’s something I want to tell you—”

“Perfect,” Mom cut in. “I also need your help with something.”

“Your sister got into a scuffle with a classmate by accident. Could you go to the station in her place?”

While Mom spoke, George and Megan stared at me, tense and wired. That look alone told me this wasn’t small.

I bristled. “What kind of scuffle?”

Megan’s gaze skittered away. She shrank into George’s arms and said nothing.

Mom smiled. “A girl tried to kill herself; your sister couldn’t stop her. She feels so guilty that can’t go to make a statement. You do it for her.”

Megan grew up cutting class and rolling with little gangs. She’s been to the station more than she’s been home. Bullies people? Absolutely. Saves people? Since when?

An icy dread lifted the hairs on my neck. A thought thudded through me—Megan killed someone.

I trembled, staring at the three of them. So, this fake warmth had been a setup all along. They wanted me to take the fall for Megan.

I snapped. “Mom, are you out of your mind?”

This was murder. Murder.

When I refused, Megan became upset. She darted a look at Mom for help.

Mom’s tone flipped sharp in an instant. “Grace, it’s a tiny favor for your sister and you can’t even do that? What good are you?”

“Ungrateful little wretch!”

I’d heard that line a thousand times growing up—enough to callus my ears and freeze my heart.

Before, I pitied Mom for raising me alone. To keep peace with George and Megan, I swallowed the injustice.