Page 29 of Always Mine
Seth headed to Bryce who was right next to Timmy. Annie went tohim.
“What’s going on?” Seth asked.
Bryce yelled, “We want out.”
Timmy screamed, “We want out.”
Furious at her kid, Annie reached through the bars and grabbed his wrist. “Drop the pan.”
Surprised, Timmy dropped it.
The other teachers did the same. Soon, a cacophony of falling pans, then silence came.
Annie was angry. “Timmy, youdoknow you have only one way to get out of here.”
“Whatdaya mean?”
“By going to juvie.”
“You, too kid,” Seth spoke to Bryce. “And I guarantee it’s a lot worse than here.”
Timmy’s shoulders slumped and he stared down at the ground. Bryce didn’t answer but he quit banging.
“Who started this?” Seth demanded.
Bryce raised his hand. “I did.” He shrugged in bravado. “I thought it was a cool prank.”
Maisy Shepherd stepped close to her partner. “Are you kidding me, Frankie? You committed grand theft auto and will be sent to juvie for a long time.” He was only fourteen so he wouldn’t get prison time. “Is that what you want?”
Staring down, Frankie shook his head and kicked the fence with his foot.
After the guards confiscated the pans, Adam said to the boys, “Turn and look at me.” He set down the megaphone, but his voice still raised, which was rare. “Now!”
They turned.
“You all get a demerit. Some of you already have a couple. Let me remind you, if you get five, you automatically go to juvie.”
A few grumbles.
“Now, get back to your cabins and stay there till breakfast.”
“Want us to come in?” Seth asked. “Escort them?”
“No, go home. I’m sorry I had to disturb you.”
The kids disbanded and the security guards followed them to the cluster of cabins.
The counselors said their goodnights and Seth and Annie walked next to each other down the path to the parking lot. Night sounds of cicadas and the croak of frogs from a nearby pond filled the air.
“Hell,” Seth said running his hand through his hair.
“Yeah, I know. I’m shaking.”
“Want to go for coffee?”
“I’m sorry. I need more sleep.”
“See you around, then.” Seth got into his car.
