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When I was thirteen, my mom locked me in the attic for an entire day because she believed I killed several of her house plants It really wasn’t that big of a deal, only she didn’t letto drink or eat and there were no bathroom breaks per too trau that bothered me was her belief that I killed the plants on purpose At the time, it seemed ridiculous; the idea a person could dry out houseplants in less than five minutes Noonder if perhaps I did do it and ifdifferent about s flopped over the back andupside down It’s late in the afternoon, the sky tinted a pale pink Children are laughing outside and so aheadache, trying to fall back asleep, not ready to face the day, or find out what Ian’s been doing in his studio all night I heard soo see who There were muffled voices on the stairway and then footsteps headed into the attic

Without changing position, I reach for the res open and soh heels click against the floor "What the hell happened?" Raven asks with her hands on her hips "Why was there an ae upside down, dressed up as an Angel hite-feather wings and a silvery-satin dress Her pink hair is curled and wound hite ribbon to form a halo on the top of her head

I sit up and rub my eyes "Because my mom flipped out and tried to slit her wrists" The words tumble out

"Ember…" Her arms fall to her side She doesn’t have a clue how to react tolitter-framed eyes widen at the blood all over o to sleep for a really, really long time," I say "That’s all I want to do is sleep"

She gasps, pressing her hand to her heart "Why the hell is there dried blood all over you?"

"Because my mom stabbed me with a pair of scissors," I confess with a yawn

She pries open the gap in my shirt where the scissors had violently entered "E to be funny," I tell her "She stabbedthe life out of her to heal myself"

"You’re in shock" She pulls her hands away "Or did you hit your head?"

"Nothing’s wrong with et some rest Maybe I’ll sleep for an eternity"

She seizes the back of o to this party and have some fun Depression runs in your family And I will not let you sink into that dark hole"

I spin on my heels "My mom is locked up on suicide watch and I found out that ht I suckedto a God da up to your room to write sad poetry about death and pain," she insists sternly "Your mom’s pulled a similar stunt before, when she locked you up in the attic for an entire day after she thought you purposefully killed all the plants"

"No, that was different--she actually killed me this time" But was it her or the Grim Reaper? It seemed like she could hear him and see him

"I don’t care what she did," Raven says with a bossy attitude "You’re going"

"Have you lost your mind?" I annunciate each word "My Mom Tried To Kill Me"

"Are you sure?" She twists the silver chain of her necklace "Maybe you should think about it really hard"

"I…" I stare at her, watching her eye twitch "What aren’t you telling " She rubs the corner of her eye like she has soo out and have soo," Ian intrudes from the bottom of the staircase He’s dressed in jeans and a white T-shirt with red paint s with his face and arms "In fact, I’ll drop you off on my way to my own party"

"You’ve both lost your es to the side, blocking my path "Move out of my way, Ian Please"

He shakes his head "I’ to leave you here by yourself after what just happened Moot a call fro really well Her wounds are healing really quickly and the meds have stabilized her mood We should be able to see her tos "I’"

"Yes, you are," Raven insists

I shake o with you to every party you’ve ever asked ently shoves et a da life"

"Asher will be there," Raven entices with a waggle of her eyebrows "He texted , because you wouldn’t answer your phone"

Asher The Anamotti The X on my oing on

"Okay, I think I…"

The Grim Reaper materializes behind Ian with his head tipped down as he floats up to the ceiling Then he elevates his hand to his face and the sleeve slips down his ar his human hand

"He’s human," I whisper, unable to er to his lips "Shhh… There’s no need to be afraid The answers are in"Co you Never look the other way"