@@@@@ “I've survived on the outside before,” Kyle
@@@@@
“I've survived on the outside before,” Kyle said angrily
Another voice came from the darkness I couldn't make out the owners of the
voices–they were just hissing whispers“What did Kyle do wrong? Nothing
Jeb took a step toward the voice, glowering
“She's not one of us,” someone else protested
Ian started to rise again
“Hey!” Jared explodedHis voice was so loud that everyone jumped“Wanda's not on trial
here! Does someone have a concrete complaint against her–against Wanda herself? Then ask for
another tribunalBut we all know she hasn't harmed anyone hereIn fact, she saved his life He
stabbed one finger toward Kyle's backKyle's shoulders hunched, like he'd felt the jab“Just
seconds after he tried to throw her into the river, she risked her life to keep him from the same
painful deathShe had to know that if she let him fall she would be safer hereShe saved him
anywayWould any of you have done the same–rescue your enemy? He tried to kill her, and yet
will she even speak against him?”
I felt all the eyes in the dark room on my face as Jared now held his hand out, palm up, toward
me
“Willyou speak against him, Wanda?”
I stared at him wide-eyed, stunned that he was speaking for me, that he was speakingto me,
that he was using my nameMelanie was in shock, too, torn in halfShe was overjoyed at the
kindness in his face as he looked at us, the softness in his eyes that had been absent so longBut
it wasmy name he'd said…
It was a few seconds before I could find my voice
“This is all a misunderstanding,” I whispered“We both fell when the floor caved inNothing
else happ