Page 220 of The Examiner

I need to find her. I need to find Jem.

Mae

She and the examiner wheeled the clay sculpture out. I think your group is intending to incinerate it.

WhatsApp chat between Gela Nathaniel and Jem Badhuri, 30 May 2024:

Jem

Sorry, Gela, couldn’t answer your call. I’m outside the incinerator building. It’s deafening. I hate not hearing properly.

Gela

Are you OK?

Jem

The examiner confirmed I’ve got a Distinction, but he’s taken everything and left me out here!

Gela

Jem, stay right where you are.

Jem

He says he’s going to destroy the sculpture and the block of resin the others put inside it. He wants to sell the radio. Can you have a word with him?

Gela

I’m trying to reach you. Where is the incinerator building?

Jem

Go through the kitchen door. It’s not far. My dad just texted that he’s at the gate. Perhaps I could cover my ears and try to find him.

Gela

Stay there and let the examiner do what he came here to do.

Gela

Jem? Are you OK?

To: Gela Nathaniel

From: Patrick Bright

Date: 30 May 2024

Subject: Conclusion

Dear Gela,

My long essay lacks a conclusion, so here it is.

Conclusion:

This has happened twice now and that’s enough. I’m going home. What happened with Cameron was an accident, an honest mistake. But what happened with Finn wasn’t. As we stood on that deck watching the line of police cars on the shore, I thought my only chance was to create a diversion. They didn’t see me grab Finny by his leg and haul him over the side. His struggle to get a hold of something – anything – they saw as his desperate bid to scramble over the rail. I never told anyone. Ended up believing what I told the police. It became another reason not to go home.