*Esmerelda*

I listened to Abner’s story without pressing into anything. Even when I had questions, I kept them to myself. I listened to everything he had to say. Before he had spoken to me that day, I had felt only anger at Abner for everything—for his betrayal and the terrible commotion he had caused at the night school.

I shuddered to think what would have happened had Elijah not arrived in time. I pushed the nightmarish thoughts away from my mind forcefully.

I had ...