August

The look on Mercy’s face before she’d turned to acknowledge him was haunting. August wasn’t sure what to make of it. She was just staring at the wall, as if she was watching television, but since he hadn’t replaced the broken one yet, that wasn’t what was happening.

What was she looking at?

When she turned to acknowledge him, the vacant look faded, and a smile came to her lips. She was so beautiful. He couldn’t imagine why anyone would ever want to hurt her.

Sitting the pizza on the tray next to her bed, he went to the supply closet and got a couple of paper plates and...