Page 4 of Under the Bed

It’s cool.He’scool.

He’s there for me and listens to me. He helps me assemble so many jigsaw puzzles when we play in my room together.

Kaleb has never laid a hand on me. Never touched me like Connor and Lee did. Other than carrying me to bed when I fell asleep on the couch in our living room, he never hurt me.

He cared when no one else did.

Shiloh, who did this to you?

“You may be seated.” This is Judge Gwyneth.

Everyone sits.

Everyone other than Kaleb.

The worry that he’ll get into more trouble makes my throat burn. “Kaleb, please, sit down.”

He looks over his shoulder.

Oh, no.

His eyes are almost as dark as the ones on his mask.

The judge clears her throat. “Mr. Blackwood.”

Please, I mouth, feeling Dad’s fury building beside me.

Kaleb cuts his gaze to him before finally sitting.

The judge starts talking about the case and the plea deal in big words that I have trouble understanding. I know what they mean, anyway.

My stomach aches. My gut twists. I’m sweating, shaking.

Kaleb scares me. Losing him scares me.

Judge Gwyneth goes on, even though I’m about to throw up. She doesn’t care that she’s about to leave me alone in the world. That she’s about to lock up the only person I love.

Bad people who bring shame to our family should be locked away.

I stop myself from shaking my head at Daddy’s words.

It’ll make him mad if I act out. And Kaleb won’t be there to protect me when he punishes me.

I won’t be there to be his only friend. His little sister.

Who will care about him there? Will I ever be allowed to visit?

He’ll be alone. Both of us will.

Anger is another painful emotion. I wish I didn’t feel it. I do.

Kaleb didn’t have to kill these boys. We could’ve stayed together. Before that, Kaleb’s mom always managed to convince Daddy to let him stay.

I owe him that much, she used to say.

Then Kaleb got arrested.

Hechoseto leave me.

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