The Boy and His Ribbon (The Ribbon Duet 1)

I explained as detailed as I could how to kill a rabbit quickly and painlessly. How to nick its fur around its neck and then rip off its jacket in one move. How to gut it fast so bodily fluids didn’t contaminate the meat, and how to cook it properly so we didn’t die of rabbit fever.

I was so proud.

So self-satisfied as I stood before my class of students and nodded matter-of-factly; so happy that they could now fend for themselves—just like I could. I fully believed in my naïve little heart that I’d just delivered a perfect lesson on things everyone should know.

I didn’t see the horrified glances until it was too late.

I didn’t hear the sniffles and crying as children squirmed in their seats.

I didn’t understand the jerky movements of the teacher as she snatched Frosty from my arms and stuffed her back into her cage.

And I didn’t know why I was grabbed by the arm and escorted to a room with a stern-faced man and the nice lady from the diner who gave me cupcakes.

I didn’t know any of that until Ren arrived.

And then…it was too late.

CHAPTER TWENTY

REN

* * * * * *

2005

SHE NEVER APPEARED at three p.m.

By 3:01, I was hammering on the receptionist’s desk demanding to know where she was.

Instead of a worried woman bending over backward to produce my tardy Della, she gave me a grave look and quick shake of her head, ordering me to follow her. She said in an appalled, judgy tone that there’d been an incident. That the principal wanted to talk to Della’s parents.

Alarm bells clanged in my head, drowning out the squeals and giggles of kids as they spilled from classrooms and into caregiver’s arms. My legs were stiff wooden posts as I trailed after the woman, fighting every urge to kick her to the floor and run down the halls screaming Della’s name.

She couldn’t be here anymore.

I couldn’t be here.

And there was no way to fix it because we had no parents to call.

My fists curled hard as rocks as the woman opened a door and said, “Go in. They’re expecting you.”

This was what I’d been afraid of.

This was why I hated walls and doors and locks.

Because once I stepped inside, there was nowhere to run. No way to get free. No gullies to disappear into or bushes to hide beneath. I would be seen.

I stepped back from the threshold as images of rain droplets on trees and sun dappling bracken filled my mind. If I left now, I could have those things. I’d never have to be trapped in a house with people again.

My heart galloped as I fought the overwhelming urge to flee, but then my gaze met Della’s terrified one where she sat on a chair too big for her with her little legs dangling and hair tangled around her face where she’d yanked her ribbon from her plait.

She clutched it tight—tighter than I’d ever seen with a plea in her eyes to fix this.

Swallowing my matching terror, I squared my shoulders and strode into the room with every shred of rage and anger I could materialize. “What the hell is going on?” I went straight to Della and planted my hand on her small shoulder.

Her body quaked beneath my touch, and I squeezed her gently, wordlessly telling her to trust me. That we’d get out of here together.

A self-important man behind a self-important desk with degrees and accolades plastered to his walls ignored me, scowling at his laptop as he spoke into the phone held to his ear. “Yes, okay. Will do. We’ll keep them here until you arrive. Thanks so much.”

I pinned my glare on him as he hung up. “Who was that?”

The man smoothed his plaid suit with a quick glance at the waitress from the diner who looked distraught over whatever was happening. “That was Social Services. Our school has a policy to reach out if anything disturbing occurs.” He cleared his throat. “Where are your parents? Before we release Miss Wild here, we really need to speak to an adult in charge.”

I prayed my tongue wouldn’t fail me as I prepared to tell convincing enough lies to get us free. “They’re out of town.”

“Oh?” The man raised his eyebrow. “How long have they been out of town?”

“Does it matter? I’m old enough to take care of her without their supervision.”

“That’s true.” The man nodded. “But Miss Lawson here tells me that she’s never met your parents. That Della’s been coming to our school for over two months and no forms have been filled in or emergency contacts given.” He gave the waitress/deputy principal a heavy scowl. “As she’s new to the position and excited about educating young minds to the detriment of following protocol, I will overlook the lack of information we have on you and your sister and permit her to stay if we meet your parents, and if we have a strict conversation on subjects that are suitable in a classroom.”