We The Animals: A Novel

by Justin Torres

“We’re never gonna escape this,” Paps said. “Never.” We didn’t know who he was talking to, but it hushed us. Our thumps softened to taps against the tabletop; we still chanted, but it was almost a whisper now and no fun. “You talking about escaping?” Ma asked. “Nobody,” Paps said. “Not us. Not them. Nobody’s ever escaping this.” He raised his head and swept his arm out in front of him. “This.”

“What happens when you die?” I asked. “Nothing happens,” he said. “Nothing happens forever.”