We may dig our own holes, yet give to Mother Earth.
Next to the hidden gravesite, Harmony lay down, refusing to leave.
We may tell lies, but lay with the truth.
Beside a mother of the heart, we lay with her…
We may be mournful, yet have found peace.
The moon blanketed us all… and as it settled, tethered us together in this lifetime, and eternally.
The system’s flaws worked in our favor that night and for years to come. Kristen was the one in charge of us, so she protected us. Even the one who could no longer say thank you. Tracks were laid and covered. Our school received paperwork that Caleb had been transferred. There were no questions asked. Harmony was correct; Caleb had no family to question his whereabouts. Each remaining Misfit was safe for now, at least from outside interference.
Of course, that spoke nothing of another danger. Our own minds.
Like a haunting song on repeat, we all were zombies, going through the motions until an act would bring us back to life.
In the gazebo, Sarah, Gage, Ethan, Seb, Finn, and I sat there, motionless, staring at the blooming summer flowers and trees that had been planted over Caleb. It was undoubtedly twisted yet so beautiful and comforting. He wasn’t alone, here on earth.
Dale joined, taking a seat across from us. He rested his elbows on his thighs as he leaned forward. “We need to talk.”
Six sets of exhausted eyes gazed at him, then back over his shoulder to Caleb. We couldn’t seem to turn away for long, tortured by all that happened.
Dale blew out a stressed breath. “It’s okay to change your mind. We can tell the authorities the truth.”
Holding my hand, Sarah doubted his smarts. “Is that really what you think we’re considering?”
Finn added, “For you and Harmony to go to prison?”
The poor man had aged overnight, as if losing two of his own children. His mouth opened then closed. Then tears fell as he shrugged. “I’m in uncharted waters.”
I growled, “We’ll help you swim them as long as you don’t try to stop us.”
Dale’s head fell forward, hanging there as if he had his own exhaustion owning him. “You have to let this go.”
Not letting go of Sarah’s hand, because she was terribly pale and felt as though she was seconds away from splintering in two, I stood, mad as hell. Losing Caleb rested upon the pastor’s shoulders. Had he not hurt Blue, we never would’ve been on the road at that hour. Now it was an eye for an eye. Now it was no longer to cause pain as he had against Blue. Now it was…
“Death is his.”
I’m not sure what Dale heard in my omission, but his head slowly rose to look at me with horror on his face. He begged, “Johnny, I need you to lead better than this.”
Every bit of rage I had buried throughout the years since my father was murdered was now unrelenting and bursting beyond the cage I had used to imprison it until this moment. Dale needed to understand that. I pointed to him. “You. Can’t. Stop. Me.”
A resolve took over his expression. A defeat, one could say. “You’re right, son.”
Then he got up and walked away.
Checkmate.
Gutted. That was what I was. Too fueled or blinded by rage and grief. I couldn’t stop it.
Caleb’s story was one I didn’t know. Now I never would. So, no matter what, I’d avenge him and Blue, because he would want me to.
What I didn’t know was how Dale would never stop fighting for me. For us. Even if it meant he had to admit I had outgrown him. His pride was not too deep to do what was best for me.
At the dining room table, while we all pretended to eat, Dale moved food around his plate. “I have an announcement.”
I was half expecting him to say a new foster was joining us. Hence my unhidden snarl. “Replacing Caleb so soon?”
