HANNA AND OTHER STORIES Preview Chapbook | Page 17
“ Did they tie you up , too ?” The girl nodded . “ They didn ’ t want me to run away before someone came back for me . But it ’ s so cold . And I ’ m scared .” “ Oh my God ,” said Almarie . I felt my heart break into a hundred pieces . I know that kids can be cruel , but to leave one of their own here in an abandoned school overnight … and just so the very girls who left her here would like her ? That ’ s beyond messed up !
I reached out and wrapped my arms around her in a big bear hug , only to pull back when I felt how cold she was .
I almost hadn ’ t noticed the temperature . It ’ d been nippy when we ’ d entered the school but had gotten much chillier since then . The bathroom felt like a freezer , and this girl was wearing only a thin dress .
“ We have to get you out of here ,” I said , tearing at the knots with my fingers . All thoughts of the investigation went out of my head . All that mattered was rescuing the kid from this place . “ But the other girls —” “ Are not worth your time !” I looked at the girl , holding her gaze , letting her know that what I was about to say was important and she had better listen . “ Not if they pull crap like this on you . And I hope that they get what ’ s coming to them after we get you out of here , because you do not deserve to be left here .” She sobbed . “ I just wanted friends .” I paused , tearing off the first knot . “ What ’ s your name , sweetie ?”
RAMI UNGAR 17
“ Did they tie you up , too ?” The girl nodded . “ They didn ’ t want me to run away before someone came back for me . But it ’ s so cold . And I ’ m scared .” “ Oh my God ,” said Almarie . I felt my heart break into a hundred pieces . I know that kids can be cruel , but to leave one of their own here in an abandoned school overnight … and just so the very girls who left her here would like her ? That ’ s beyond messed up !
I reached out and wrapped my arms around her in a big bear hug , only to pull back when I felt how cold she was .
I almost hadn ’ t noticed the temperature . It ’ d been nippy when we ’ d entered the school but had gotten much chillier since then . The bathroom felt like a freezer , and this girl was wearing only a thin dress .
“ We have to get you out of here ,” I said , tearing at the knots with my fingers . All thoughts of the investigation went out of my head . All that mattered was rescuing the kid from this place . “ But the other girls —” “ Are not worth your time !” I looked at the girl , holding her gaze , letting her know that what I was about to say was important and she had better listen . “ Not if they pull crap like this on you . And I hope that they get what ’ s coming to them after we get you out of here , because you do not deserve to be left here .” She sobbed . “ I just wanted friends .” I paused , tearing off the first knot . “ What ’ s your name , sweetie ?”