The Girl in Seat 23 {l.r.h.}

twenty-four.

Liberty and justice for ALL.

That's what I painted in bright red letters on the sign I carried. I didn't tell anyone that I was going, not after Luke's reaction. I got in my brother's car and slipped away as if I was never there.

The nation's capital never looked so beautiful as when I saw it. As when 300,000 souls like mine gathered together at the March on Washington to advocate equality.

I slowly shouldered my way to the front of the pack to catch a glimpse of the legend they called Dr. King. I'd almost reached the front when a hand suddenly grabbed mine.

I whirled around to see Luke standing behind me.

"Luke? What are you doing here?"

"I came..." He panted. "I came for you. I was wrong." His head shot back and forth, darting around to make sure no officers were around. "But really, people get killed over this." He was jumpy. And shaky.

"Are you... Are you okay?" He shook his head.

Then it dawned on me.

He was having a panic attack. It was like every step was a marathon and his heart beat was a sledge hammer pounding and his lungs were filled with poison. He thought he would die, I just knew it. "Rosi... Look, I- I can't stay here. I want to love you. Please... Let's run now. Come... Let's run away." His eyes were darting back and forth as tears threatened to overflow.

I put my hands on the side of his face. "Listen, love like a hurricane."

Luke reached for my hand as I felt myself being knocked back. My sign fell to the ground, near silent amidst all the chaos around me. I felt an officer shaking me, barking something at me about how I'd violated their prejudiced laws. My ears were ringing as he shook my near-limp body.

"Let go of her!" Luke screamed. He was pushed away.

The world
Went
Black.