Page 21 of Ring Around the Rosie

The Redwood? Nurse B spoke in a similar way. What is it about these damn trees?

Foster grabbed my hand and held it. “My brother really loves you, Aster.”

My jaw clenched at his words. I wanted to tell him who his brother really was, but I couldn’t. “I’m not sure your brother knows what love is, Foster. Or you, for that matter. You shouldn’t worry about such grown-up things.” I tried to brush past the topic, but he wouldn’t let it go.

Foster’s lips curled. “I know exactly what love is. It’s sacrificing everything to save the person you care about most.” He turned to look up at me. “Like Sabbath did with you and your family.” I couldn’t speak. “He did it to save you.” What the hell? “But I know he regrets it. Just like how our mother regrets him.”

“Y-your mother regrets him?” I was shocked to hear him say such a thing.

Foster nodded. “That’s why she had me. A son to take his place on the right path. One who wouldn’t stray.” He made no sense, but all I could grasp from this conversation was the fact that Sabbath was apparently replaced. Despite all my hatred for him, my heart broke for Sabbath. It was one thing to have your father leave you, but to have your mother reject you? The pain that must haunt him.

Foster tugged my hand. “Aster?” I bent down to his level as he whispered to me, “Why don’t you like your name? Your real name?” This kid seemed to know everything.

“It’s a long story.” I tried to force a smile. “Just call me Aster. Aster Sequoya.”

Foster blinked. “Did you pick your new name?” I nodded. He looked as if he was pondering a deep thought for a moment. “Well, I like your real name more than your fake one. I wish you’d use it more. I know Sabbath does. He’s always singing about your name, you know?”

“He is?”

Foster nodded. “Ring around the Rosie. A pocket full of posies.” My eyes began to water as flashes of that night struck my brain. “Ashes. Ashes. We all fall down.”

The crystal clear image of Sabbath standing all alone as smoke filled the air appeared behind my eyes. Flames burned behind him, and I listened as he sang the very same song to me. The day this all began and my life ended.

Ashes. Ashes. We all fall down.

FIVE

ASTER

The nightly bonfireritual had started off a bit awkward. Sol and Sabbath refused to even make eye contact while the rest of us sat in between them, unsure of what to say. Thankfully, Doug was too busy talking about some random nonsense to notice. Willie and Sandy were whispering to one another and giggling while Kaila rolled her eyes and scooted closer to me. We all tried to act normal, but nothing felt normal.

“Is it true?” Kaila asked.

I blinked and raised my brow. “Is what true?”

Kaila looked around at Sol and Sabbath before she leaned in and whispered, “That Sabbath’s little brother tried to shoot Sol? And that’s why those two got into a fight? Wolfe was telling us what he saw, but obviously he didn’t see everything.”

My eyes looked across the flames to see Sabbath watching me closely. I sighed, knowing he was probably listening. “It was an accident, Kaila. And it was hot. I think the sun just got to everyone. That’s all.”

Kaila eyed me closely. “Is that why you jumped in between them?” She carefully played with my hair. “I’m curious. Who were you protecting in that moment, Aster? Sol, or yourbrother?” I didn’t like her question. “Because I thought you weren’t a fan of Sabbath, but maybe I was wrong.”

“It’s not like that.” I swatted her hand away.

Kaila smiled. “Relax, Aster. He’s your brother. There’s no crime in defending him.” She looked up at Sabbath. “Just be careful. I know you’re only step siblings, but something about the way he looks at you doesn’t sit right with me.” My eyes followed her gaze. “It’s… animalistic.”

I wasn’t sure if it was the pressure of seeing us looking at him, or the feeling of being unwelcomed at the bonfire, but Sabbath silently stood and walked away. We all watched him leave, and I swear the entire group exhaled with relief.

Things carried on as they did every night. The counselors chatted and goofed around and simply let loose. Sol kind of kept to himself, speaking only to Wolfe for a brief moment. He got up to leave, and I rushed after him.

“Sol!” I tried to keep up with his large strides. “Solomon!”

Thankfully, he stopped and turned to look at me. His face was both surprised and worried. “Aster? What–what’re you doing?” I felt a little woozy as I stopped, and he helped steady me. “Hey, you okay?” He examined my wound, and I noticed his face drop. “I’m so sorry, Aster. I really didn’t mean to hit you. Fuck, I would never hit a woman!”

I brushed his apology off. “Sol, really, it’s fine. I’m fine! Nurse B said I’ll be totally fine.” I smiled. “And I know you didn’t mean to hit me. You’re not that kind of person.”

Sol hesitated but smiled. “Thanks, Aster.”

We walked the rest of the path together and tried to forget the whole thing, but it was hard to do when we walked up the path to my cabin and spotted Sabbath leaning against the door smoking a cigarette.

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