Chapter 3

I woke up to the smell of antiseptic and the steady beep of a machine. My arm was in a cast, and my back ached with a deep, throbbing pain.

A young man in a sheriff' s deputy uniform was standing by the window. He had a kind face, but his eyes were serious.

"I' m Deputy Miller," he said, walking over. "I was called to investigate a possible domestic abuse situation. Can you tell me what happened, Maya?"

Before I could answer, the door opened and Leo walked in. His eyes were red-rimmed, and he looked like he hadn' t slept. Coach Henderson was right behind him.

"Deputy, I can explain," Leo started immediately. "My sister... she has some mental health issues. The pressure of basketball, it gets to her. She gets overwhelmed and... she hurts herself."

Coach Henderson nodded grimly. "It' s true, Deputy. She' s a great kid, a phenomenal athlete, but the pressure is too much. We' ve all been worried about her. Leo was just trying to stop her from hurting herself worse."

I stared at them, my mouth open. The lies were so smooth, so practiced.

"That' s not true," I said, my voice hoarse. "He hit me. He beat me with his belt."

Deputy Miller looked from them to me. His expression was patient, but I could see the doubt creeping in.

"Leo, do you have any proof of these... issues?" Miller asked.

"The whole town knows," Leo said, his voice thick with fake sadness. "Ask anyone. Ask the Gables next door. They saw her having an episode."

"I' m not having an episode!" I shouted, trying to sit up, but a jolt of pain shot through me. "He' s lying! They' re all lying!"

My outburst only seemed to confirm their story. Deputy Miller' s face softened with sympathy, the kind you give someone you think is unwell.

"Okay, Maya, just take it easy," he said gently.

He turned back to Leo. "Even so, the injuries are severe. I' ll have to file a report."

"Of course, Deputy," Leo said, nodding. "We' ll cooperate fully. We just want what' s best for Maya."

He was so convincing. He sounded like the caring older brother, burdened by his sister' s tragic illness. I felt a wave of nausea.

They were building a cage of lies around me, and everyone was helping them lock the door.