Page 210 of Restless
She been so pale, like Death.
The Lord is my Shephard.
Ignoring the laughter and conversation around him, Rule recited the 23rdPsalm. It was almost time for his ten o’clock prayers. The Davises had been there far longer than anticipated.
You like Jaleena, Rule.
I don’t like her parents.
As long as they don’t hurt Mom, let them go.
Rule nodded, though no one noticed. Mom, Dad, Rebel, and CJ were the only ones who spent time with him and loved him.
You almost lost her. Never forget that.
Repent.
Why? Was her collapse my fault?
Pray, pray, pray.
Blood, blood, blood.
PAIN!
“Why?”
“Why what, son?” Mom asked, alerting Rule that the voices had jumped from his head and slid out of his mouth.
Rebel lifted a brow at him.
Pain slid into him at the memory of her punch, and he touched his mouth.
“You okay, boy?” Dad asked.
Rule remembered to nod.
Cut Rebel.
Don’t cut Rebel.
I don’t have a knife!
He’d taken the pocketknife specifically for the assignment to save Ryan. Unless he caught birds or rodents for his altar, he had no other use for the blade.
I love Rebel.
Rebel’s scary.
Rebel’s beautiful.
Rule flinched again, ashamed. He didn’t want to see her or Mom as beautiful. They should be unrecognizable to him.
You almost lost your mother.
Stop!!!
Rebel thinks you’re a freak!
