Skin Nation

by Joni Bing

“How could you let this happen? I thought you said you had a plan?”

  I stared Lary down as we stood in his room. He panted back and forward, gripping his hands into fists that never made aim at me. I was just waiting for him to rip his headband off of my head.

  “I didn't have the control I thought, Lary. You think I wanted this to happen?!”

  He stared straight into my eyes and folded his arms. “I'm starting to question it.”

  His words hit me like a bullet that burned through my heart. Lary didn't trust me. He thought I had betrayed him—everybody. I wondered how the tables had turned.

  “Lary...you taught me how to survive, you've given me house and home...why would I screw you over like that?”

  “...He didn't get to you.”

  “There's nothing to get to. I know what I believe and I know what I want to fight for.”

  He nodded once. “Then, now we wait.”

  Without another word, Lary walked out of the room. No questions asked, no mystery behind our exchange of words stuck in the air between us before he walked out. I knew why. Somehow, I knew what he meant by leaving. No, I wasn't confused. I was terrified.