Chapter 72 The Poor Child

On the way home, Alistair kept a close eye on Caroline, noting

with relief that she showed no further signs of discomfort.

Still, he couldn't completely relax. He wasn't fooled. The low blood sugar was clearly just an excuse. But since Caroline didn't want to talk about it, he didn't press the issue.

What's the deal with that house in front of my place? Is something wrong with it?

Alistair racked his brain.

When he first started going to and from school after the new residents moved in, he hadn't paid much attention to the place.

Whoever lived there was fine by him as long as they didn't mess

with his life.

Most households in the neighborhood consisted of a married couple with one kid, but this one was different, with two women who, according to local gossip, were sisters taking care of a sick child who needed privacy to recover.

Ever since word got out that the kid had some illness-someone had started a rumor it was contagious-the other children stopped coming to Alistair's house, which was closest to theirs.

23:32

Chapter 72 The Poor Child

- 20 mint

He couldn't really blame people for jumping to conclusions, though. The two women barely left home and avoided talking to locals unless absolutely necessary. They always wore face masks coming and going, so nobody knew what they looked like. All that mystery made people's imaginations run wild.

Alistair, being naturally quiet, didn't mind the lack of visitors. The peace and quiet meant he could focus on his studies.

Truth be told, Alistair wasn't actually that into studying. He'd never been the model child others thought he was. It was Robert who always pushed him to hit the books, saying that getting smart was the only way he'd eventually be able to buy Robert good liquor.

Robert's only real pleasure in life was enjoying a few drinks now

and then.

Alistair had taken this to heart, always trying to grow up exactly the way Robert wanted him to.

After school, Alistair would grab his folding wooden table and set it up in the yard before sunset. He'd perch on his little stool to do homework while the light was still good.

Once finished, he'd spend time playing with Robert's dog.

Their yard wasn't huge, but Robert had created a small vegetable

23:32

20 min left

provided nearly all

day, the dog was going crazy, barking at

the garden. Alistair went to check

overly curious pup might turn it into a chew toy.

was a stream not far behind the

the

he stepped back into the

his eye.

piece of paper lay in

Weird.

men-he

Alistair definitely wasn't

wind blew it

he picked it up, his

scrawled across it in

dirty?]

23:32

20 min left

72 The

question hit him like

jumped straight to

to

But from whom?

off, half-laughing, half

hiding in the

the

Nothing. No one.

he pulled his gaze away, confused, he caught a slight movement in the curtains of an upstairs window across from

at the narrow gap between the drapes, Alistair froze for a second before

It must be from those

adults, he figured. They wouldn't waste time on stuff like

23:32

The

was

(→ 20 min left

contagious disease, Alistair's hand

the urge to drop it immediately, aware the kid might

He didn't have to be overly sympathetic, but he didn't have to be a total jerk

plan, Alistair crumpled the paper into a ball, but just before tossing it in the trash, a thought struck him. He dug out a small plastic bag, dropped the paper ball inside, and tied it with a tight

should keep any germs

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255