Breaking the Bully

by Jessa Kane

“What are you doing out here in this storm?” There’s a tight smile in his voice. Of course there is. We have company. He never reveals his monstrous nature in front of other people. “Did you come out here to retrieve the handyman?” I do a double take, noticing the strain forming around the corners of Moore’s mouth. “Handyman?” “Yes.” My father chuckles, coming forward to clap a hand down on Moore’s tense shoulder. “He’s here to repair a leak in the attic. Came highly recommended.” Moore can’t look at me now, his gaze cast over my shoulder. Hollow. A minute ago, we were equals. But my father’s words have called into focus one very important thing. With Moore’s hands on me, I’d forgotten that I’m very rich and he’s very poor. It just didn’t matter. To me, it still doesn’t. But the economic divide between us is broadening by the second. I’ve experienced this my whole life. People whispering when they pass me on the sidewalk in town. She lives in the big house on Perry Hill. They have no idea it’s a prison. “Why don’t you get to it?” My father suggests to Moore, his tone brittle. “Allie has to study. She’s going places, unlike some of us.”