Chapter 2

The town hall meeting was a public execution. I stood on the small stage under a single flickering fluorescent light, the angry faces of the townspeople staring up at me. Hemlock stood beside me, his arms crossed over his massive chest.

"This city boy," he announced, his voice echoing in the hall, "thought he could just come into our town and take what ain't his."

Whispers and angry murmurs filled the room. I could feel my face burning with shame.

"He siphoned gas from my truck. Right out of the tank."

The program coordinator, a tired-looking woman named Mrs. Gable, tried to intervene, but they shouted her down. This was their town, their justice. To avoid them calling the sheriff, I had to make it right.

I had to sell my watch. It was a vintage piece, a gift from my grandfather before he died. It was the most valuable thing I owned. I handed it over to Hemlock, the weight of it leaving my wrist for the first time in years. The money from the local pawn shop would cover the "damages" and my public humiliation.

I walked back to the volunteer house, my steps heavy. The cold night air did nothing to cool the shame that burned inside me. As I neared the porch, I heard voices from inside. Laughter.

It was Jocelyn and Caleb.

"You should have seen his face," Caleb was saying, his voice full of glee. "Like a scared little puppy."

"Did he really fall for it?" Jocelyn's voice, not weak and sick, but sharp and mocking. "The whole 'I'm so sick, I need medicine' routine?"

"Hook, line, and sinker. That makes seven, by the way. Seven pranks. You're getting close, babe."

"Just three more to go," she giggled. "Then you're all mine again."

The world tilted. The air left my lungs. The sickness, the medicine, my humiliation... it was all a game. A bet. Ten pranks to win back her ex-boyfriend. I was a pawn, a joke.

I stumbled back from the door, my mind reeling. I walked blindly until I found myself in front of Mrs. Gable's small office at the edge of the property. The light was still on.

I knocked.

She looked up, her expression softening with pity when she saw my face.

"Ethan. I'm so sorry about what happened tonight."

"It's fine," I said, my voice hollow. "It doesn't matter."

"I have something for you," she said, pulling a manila envelope from her desk. "Your father called. He finalized the paperwork. The union apprenticeship is confirmed. You can leave as soon as you want. Your spot is guaranteed."

Before tonight, I would have hesitated. I would have thought about Jocelyn, about not wanting to leave her. Now, there was no hesitation.

"I'll take the first bus out of here," I said without a second thought. "Tomorrow morning."