The Scapegoat's Return: Watch Me Shine Now

teel door s

force that hit the back of Crysta's skull, tra

queezed her eyes shut, her hands rising to shield her face. For three years, her world had

lle

e other side of the yellow line. His face held the exact same expre

oice was flat, devoid of any huma

d away. The secondary gate b

wo sizes too big. The fabric scratched against her collarbones. In her right hand, she held a th

y value of three years of her life, earned by sc

ribbon cutting through dead, brown dirt. There were no buildings.

in twisted just below her ribs. She had no

immediately went to her left wrist, her thumb rubbing the raw skin wh

lot. Crysta stepped back, pressing her spine against the chain-link fenc

down and stopped. The passenger window

onsole. She had deep lines aroun

asked. Her voice was soft. "Go

driver's seat, a young man gripped the steering wheel. His knuc

ords refused to work. Isolation had stolen her ability to engage in cas

no

ou," she

ent the door closed, a scent hit her face. Cinnamon. Baked flour. Melted butte

iew mirror. She wiped her hands on the thigh

aid, her voice cracking slig

ped. His jaw muscles flexed. "Do

upposed to get visitation today.

e knew exactly what "trouble" meant in that building. It meant solitar

hed the razor wire fade into the distance. Her breathing was shallow. Sh

ck pulled into the dirt lot o

s felt like lead. She stepped out an

the wo

led out a single twenty-dollar bill and a few cr

is enough for a hot meal and a bus ticke

green paper. Her br

son growled, his arms cros

. Her hands shook.

a's hand and pressed the money into her palm. "Consider it buying good karma for

s punched the air out of Crysta'

e cash. She counted it by

one in the parking lot. She gripped the small wad of money so hard

or the first time in three years, hot, wet tears sp

ack of her sleeve. Showing weakness in

ir smelled of diesel and stale coff

he city she used to call home

edarwood," Cryst

ket. She walked out to the boarding lane,