The hallway was too bright. It felt like a stage. I stood there, feeling open and scared. My mother held my wrist. Her grip was tight. Her nails felt cold on my skin.

My heart beat fast. Thump-thump-thump. I could feel the noise in my throat.

“Why… why are you here?” I whispered to her. My voice shook. I wanted to run away.

My mother looked at me. Her eyes were empty. Flat, like a TV screen that was turned off.

She asked in a soft, quiet voice, “What are you doing here, Hailey?”

My ...