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back to Riverside, the very place where her life changed
dramatically three years ago. She recalls the chaotic moments
leading up to their escape, triggered by their father’s
abandonment. Reflecting on their painful past, Skye struggles
with feelings of shame, grief, and guilt, tightly intertwined
with the stigma of being the sister of a shooter.
As Skye navigates her memories, she wrestles with the
conflicting emotions surrounding Luka. Once seen as a kind
and thoughtful brother, he tragically participated in an event
that took four lives, leaving Skye feeling tormented by her
inability to understand how he could become part of such
horror. She experiences direct and indirect judgments from
others, showcasing the loneliness and isolation that
accompany guilt by association.
After relocating with her aunt Mae to escape the pain, Skye
finds herself returning to Riverside, a place full of memories
and associated trauma. Mae encourages her to face the world
and stand tall, but Skye feels like an unwelcome phantom of
her past. The chapter captures her anxiety as she navigates
social situations where she is confronted by whispers and
stares. Even mundane tasks, like confronting the metal
detector at school, become reminders of her brother’s actions
and the scrutiny she faces from peers.
Through poignant interactions and internal monologues, the
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