Challenger Deep

by Neal Shusterman

And suddenly I realize something terrible about my parents. They are not poisoners. They are not the enemy . . . . . . but they are helpless. They want to do something—anything—to help me. Anything to change my situation. But they are as powerless as I am. The two of them are in a lifeboat, together, but so alone. Miles from shore, yet miles from me. The boat leaks, and they must bail in tandem to keep themselves afloat. It must be exhausting. The terrible truth of their helplessness is almost too much to bear. I wish I could take them on board, but even if they could reach us, the captain would never allow it. Right now it sucks to be me—but until now, it never occurred to me that it also sucks to be them.