Eli's on my left and Pigpen on my right as we take off. Both have their guns still drawn and their expressions are deadly.

Eli and Pigpen are playing kickball with my younger siblings.

Pigpen warned us that the detective fucked you up." Eli says.

Eli and Pigpen walk backward as a human shield as they fire, edging me toward my bike.

Pigpen hooks his foot around the metal folding chair Eli sat in weeks before and it scrapes against the tiles.

Eli bought the flat-screen television and sectional couch for Olivia, his mother, after his stint in prison. There’s a throw rug on the wooden floor and picture frames are everywhere. Olivia insisted on having visual reminders of the people she loved.

None of us liked you being AWOL.” Eli strolls into the house and pats my shoulder as he walks past. “Why didn’t you come to me or Cyrus last night? You know we’re safe havens.