For three years they called me a freak—and I stayed silent—until they touched my little sister in front of everyone, and the truth I buried finally came out and changed everything.

going to kill you, or they’re going to take you back to that horrible place and turn you into a machine again!” She was sobbing violently now, her tears washing clean channels through the dust on her cheeks as she begged me to find another way. “We stay together, Alex, you promised mom we would always stay together!”

“I am protecting you, Lily, and continue reading …