Recollections 2

Kent’s death 9
Kent was getting a dirt bike for his twelfth birthday tomorrow. He told me he was going to learn to ride it so well, he would steal me and we would run away together. I couldn’t wait. Kent and I were knowns, meaning we went to school, so they couldn't kill or maim us as they did to unknown runaways and fire rescues.
The next day, Sunday, Kent’s dad was in the field next door, doing something to the bike, when Kent appeared. I ran outside to watch him ride. He was so excited, he could hardly wait.
When his dad said it was ready, he got on and began circling a big willow tree.
He was already a good bicyclist. The started to do a wheelie to impress me. As soon as he got his front wheel off the ground, it fell off. He crashed into the tree head first. Blood was everywhere.
I ran to him, but his dad shoved me away. An ambulance arrived and took Kent away. His dad just grinned.
I sat in the cold grass, staring at the tree, wondering when he would be back. I heard Tracy calling, “Daddy wants you. You’re in trouble.” I ran home, three houses down the block, scared but wanting to know whether my only friend were OK. Dad said, “Go to the room.” I asked, “How is Kent?” “Get your ass to the room.” Wondering what I had done, I went to the coal bin and waited.
The door opened and Dad walked in. I asked whether Kent was OK. “No. His head split open like a grapefruit. You made them hurt him. He won’t be back and it’s all because you two planned to run away. No one ever leaves this organization, ever. Got that? Next time you’ll remember, I’ll see to it.”
He spent hours hurting me with ice cubes, grown-up toys and something hot. I wanted to go away like the others—Missy, Bethany and all the ones melted by Evils.
Finally, I heard Mom call downstairs, “You two need to quit playing whatever you do down there. It’s bedtime. She has school in the morning.” She pretended to know nothing about Kent’s accident.
That Tuesday he was dead.
“Stay sweet. Don’t let them win,” kept running through my head. These few words kept me going despite the Group’s attempts to destroy me.
I was angry at Kent for leaving. I felt alone. He was the only friend who shared my secrets. I couldn’t even tell Tracy, although I am sure she knew. I just couldn’t talk about it. Still the words, “Don’t let them win” kept ringing in my ears. I knew in my heart he wouldn’t leave me on purpose. I vowed to keep the promises I made to him – I would not let them win nor would I lose my spirit.