Detention

The exterior of Crestview High was bathed in a chaotic wash of red and blue light.

Two police officers escorted Ethan out the front doors. His hands were cuffed behind his back. He wasn't walking with his usual swagger; he was slumped over, weeping loudly, shouting about how his father would sue everyone.

Maya sat on the bumper of an ambulance, a shock blanket draped over her shoulders. The insulin kit was safe in her lap.

A security guard—a heavyset man named Miller—walked over to her. He held a cup of coffee.

"That was some quick thinking, kid," Miller said. "Patrol heard the whole thing over the stadium speakers. Sounded like a bad action movie."

"Is he going to..." Maya gestured toward the police car.

"Oh yeah," Miller nodded grimly. "Vandalism, breaking and entering, assault with a weapon. Daddy's money can fix a lot of things, but it can't fix a live confession broadcasted to the whole neighborhood."

He looked at the insulin kit in her hands. He sighed, reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a notebook and tore out a page—her trespassing citation.

He crumpled it up and tossed it into the nearby trash can.

"I didn't see you come in tonight," Miller said, taking a sip of his coffee. "But make sure your brother gets his meds."

Maya clutched the blanket tighter, watching the police car drive Ethan away into the dark. For the first time all year, she didn't feel invisible.

"Thank you," she said.

She stood up, the insulin kit safe in her grip, and walked home under the streetlights. The school was quiet again, but the monsters had been cleared out.