JANAYAH

I thought I was safe up there.

The thick branches of the old oak wrapped around me like an old friend, hiding me from the world below. The wind whispered through the leaves, cool and calming, and for the first time that morning, I could breathe again.

I’d barely stopped shaking when I heard a voice from below.

“Jaynayah,” Jackie called, her tone steady, but not unkind. “Come down.”

My heart dropped. I clung tighter to the branch. “H-How did you know I was up here?” I called back, my voice trembling.

Jackie stepped closer to the tree, crossing her arms as she looked up at me with that...