He knew it was coming. Gets worse, Reed said, pulling out another paper. Radio dispatch log from that night. First call about the fire wasn't until 9:45. Chief Mercer was there before anyone reported it.
Amara sat back, pieces clicking into place. The coach sets up the harassment. Principal Reeves blocks the complaints. The police chief covers it up and his son Cody does the dirty work. Mr.
Briggs added, "Perfect system. Black kids leave, transfer out, or get expelled. Been happening for years." A truck rumbled past outside, its headlights sweeping across their faces. Mr.
Briggs flinched. "There's more on that drive," he said. "Coach Sell's emails, security footage of other incidents, lists of students who've been targeted." He stood slowly. "I should go."
"Been here too long already." "Mr. Briggs," Amara called softly. "Thank you." He paused.
"Your sister, she okay? She's strong?" Yeah. He nodded. Both of you are maybe strong enough to finally break this thing open.
He slipped out the back door like he'd never been there. Reed started gathering the papers. We need to be strategic about this. Release it the right way through the right channels. When?
Amara interrupted. Give me a few days to organize the evidence. Contact some media. No. Amara's voice was firm.
They're hurting people now. Ayana's in jail now. Mrs. Holloway's in the hospital now. Amara, we need to be careful.
They're not being careful. She leaned forward. When's homecoming? Tomorrow night. But Reed's eyes widened.
No, that's too risky. Every powerful person in town will be there. Exactly. Amara pocketed the flash drive. Every single one of them in one place.
Amara, listen. What time? Reed sighed, knowing that look in her eyes. Game starts at 7. They do the ceremony at halftime.
The diner's clock read 117 a. m. Amara stood, her movements controlled, precise. Homecoming, she whispered. That's where they'll all be. At 3:30 a. m., Amara's key turned in the lock of Mrs.
Holloway's house. The porch still smelled of smoke, a constant reminder of what they were fighting. But when she stepped inside, she froze. Cardboard boxes lined the hallway, half filled with familiar items. Mrs.
Holloway's quilts, her recipe books, the family photos that normally covered the walls. A note sat on the kitchen counter. Official letter head stark under the dim light. Emergency placement review. 900 a. m.
The child services logo glared up at her like an accusation. Amara's hands trembled as she picked up one of Mrs. Holloway's ceramic angels carefully wrapped in newspaper. They were trying to erase them, not just from school, but from their home, their family, their whole existence in this town. She didn't sleep.
Instead, she copied the flash drives contents, encrypted backups, and scheduled delayed emails. If they tried to bury this, the truth would surface anyway. The sky was just beginning to lighten when she walked through the hospital's automatic doors at 6:15 a. m. Mrs. Holloway's room was quiet, except for the steady beep of monitors.
She looked smaller somehow, swallowed up by white sheets and medical equipment. But her eyes were clear when they found Amara's face. "They're trying to take you," Mrs. Holloway said, her voice rough but determined. She reached for Amara's hand.
"Child services came yesterday after she stopped, swallowed." "After I got here. We're not going anywhere," Amara said firmly, but Mrs. Holloway's grip tightened. "Listen to me."
Her words were urgent now. Don't let them split you up. Whatever happens, you and Ayana stay together. Promise me. I promise.
Amara's throat felt tight. We're going to fix this. All of it. Mrs. Holloway's eyes filled with tears.