I LICK MY lips like they a fountain that I can drink from. They cracked and dry, hard. Hurting me bad. My stomach hurts worse. It’s empty, burning, bubbling, sending air up to my mouth like I can eat burps. Can you die from not eating two days in a row? Would he let me? I bet he would. I still ain’t cried yet. I got no tears anyhow. I got a coat with a hood, so that’s something. I’m still freezing, though. Can people freeze like Popsicles? Would he send my body to my sister if I did? I wanna be buried next to my parents. I lie down on the cold hard ground and close my eyes. Then I’m up again, talking out loud to myself. Maybe I’m going crazy. I start dancing to keep warm. But you can’t stay warm in here no matter what you do. So, I lie down again. Close my eyes again. Then open ’em wide again. “Don’t you go to sleep, Char. Don’t you cry either.” Sitting up. Using my finger for a stick, I write in the dirt.

I cross out Charlie.

I cross out Char.

I erase his name.