They're doing it again. When does Carmen ever get a break?
I can see them across the playground; there's a group of them - about six people altogether - and every one is centred on my sister as their target.
I can't hear what they're saying, but I can guess. And I can see what it's doing to her.
Should I step in? I think the answer to that is yes. Even though I'm four years younger and half the size of everyone in the group, Carmen's my sister, and I have to try and help her.
I walk over to them. I don't know what I'm going to say, but I know I'm doing the right thing.
I clear my throat, and a couple of Carmen's tormentors turn and see me. One of them starts laughing.
"Don't get too close to the elephant girl, Avery!" He sniggers, "She'll crush you!"
Carmen looks at me then, and I'm shocked by the sheer magnitude of pain in her eyes. Pain that I just made worse.
Then the bell rings and the group disband, leaving me staring at my sister in choked silence.
She starts to walk away and I try to follow her, but she starts running.
What have I done?
"Don't make this any worse than it already is, Avery!" She yells, without even turning round, "Just go away and forget about it!"
But she knows I won't forget.
YOU ARE READING
We Never Forget.
Short Story*TRIGGER WARNING* When you look at an elephant, what do you see? Powerful tusks, strong skin and a frame that dominates every other creature around it. But look again. Look at its eyes. Can you see the reflections of experience? The sights that won'...
