The next day started like any other—a low buzz of voices in the hallways, sneakers squeaking against the tiled floors, teachers weaving through the chaos with stacks of papers tucked under their arms. It felt normal, but normal didn’t feel safe anymore. I walked to class with my head down, my hands shoved deep into my pockets as the weight in my chest kept me tethered to the floor. My cousin wasn’t supposed to be here, and yet he was. And if yesterday taught me anything, it was that he wasn’t done. Not by a long shot.
Gabriel met me at the usual spot outside the library before first period. His sketchpad was tucked under his arm, his pencil sticking out from behind his ear. He didn’t say much when he saw me, just nodded like he knew everything I wasn’t saying out loud.
“Ready for another
