Helanie:
We didn’t get in our uniforms because the warden told us to come for breakfast in our most comfy clothes. We all gathered in the hall, the empty seat beside me still vacant for Lucy.
"Hello everyone, good morning," Norman walked in, his long strides explaining he was stressed out today. He wore gray pants and a white shirt, his sleeves rolled up to show his huge biceps.
He was running a hand through his wet hair as if he had showered in a hurry. He looked around quickly to pass a stare at everyone to check on them, but once his eyes passed me, he did a double take before he nodded his head to himself.
"An incident happened here last night. It was an unfortunate one," he started, and I clutched my sweater tightly in my fists. My hands were shaking, my arms folded over my chest. I bet I even scratched my skin while grasping onto my sweater under my arms.
I had a feeling he was going to give us the bad news about Lucy. I wasn’t ready to hear it.
"We know you’re all upset and worried. Probably even waiting on the news. I wish I had good news to tell you--" As he said till that part, I dropped hard on the chair, sitting with such pressure that everyone turned to me. Everyone else was standing except for me now.
Norman stopped talking and pointed towards me, "Get her some water." He walked over to me, almost like in an emergency, gesturing to the others to get out of his way.
"Helanie, please calm down," Lamar sat next to me, watching me hyperventilate.
It was becoming real.
I had seen it in my dreams once. I saw someone jump off the top and it happened. How did I never think about keeping an eye on Lucy after she started acting weird? Why did I leave my room last night?
"Helanie!" This time, it was Norman who was speaking with me. He had pulled a chair in front of me and had sat down with his legs wide spread to fit the tiny chair.
"Look at me, you are fine," Norman whispered, snapping his fingers in front of my face. "Get her to drink some water."
Lamar quickly nodded his head, grabbing the water glass from Penn to make me drink a sip or two. But I kept dodging it and hiccuping. I felt like I wanted to cry so loud that I’d bring a storm, but I was stuck in myself.
I was stuck in so much guilt.
"Lucy--" I whispered, my eyes on Norman now.
He gave me consecutive head nods to console me, "She is alive. Okay? She is alive."
He said, making sure I heard him right.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Claimed And Marked By Her Stepbrother Mates