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Chapter One

Rose

About half an hour That’s all it took

Without even trying I’ve turned onna do

I can’t stay and I know once I go, I can’t come back

My dad He’sin Valor that’s ho my best friend

But the change in him lately has been so quick, and now that I knohat he’s done I can’t go back

We’ve never fought, but lately, it’s all we do and today… tonight was the last straw

Walking to who knohere I fight back tears as s he said to me

The moment I knew my dad had turned

He’s working for them now

For weeks now he’s been working all hours Not his usual habit working for the tax department

He sleeps until noon now and ishome for days at a time

I know he doesn’t drink or s his clothes, they reek of the stale tobacco and alcohol smell only seedy bars have

Tonight, after finding thick rolls of cash in his pockets I confronted him

De I hadn’t once I find out

“It’s none of your da back the rolls of money

“Just a little side job to make up for all those years I paid for your tuition and a e? You should try it sometime, Rose An actual job,” he sneered

I still feel the pain in my chest as it replays in e before I had to drop out were the one thing dad used to feel proud of me for

He worked so hard to keep a roof over our heads, and hepart-time to make up the rest before I had to leave when I lost my job and tuition went up

“Just tellto see hi reckless

His bitter laughter scared o

I knew deep down I couldn’t stay because it wasn’t safe

“Illegal? Why, hing again, louder that time

There was a darkness in his laughter, an edge I didn’t like

He didn’t even sound like one in a single moment