The Bound Between Us

When the nanny came back from grocery shopping, arms full of bags and a little out of breath, she happened to run into Layna and her little gang right in the courtyard.

Layna, leading a pack of neighborhood kids, was loudly announcing that she was about to go "teach Pattie a lesson." The nanny, catching the tail end of their chatter as she hurried past, rushed home as fast as she could to tell Anastasia.

Just half an hour earlier, Pattie had set out alone to do some sketching. Liana had the day off, and Pattie was old enough to go out by herself, so Anastasia wasn't really worried. But the moment she heard the nanny's story, she grabbed her phone and called Pattie-twice. No answer.

Monica asked, "Ana, where does Pattie usually go to draw? Let's go look for her."

"She's usually at the park across the street," Anastasia said, her voice tight with worry. "Let's go. Now."

At the park, Pattie sat by herself on a big rock, her sketchbook balanced on her knees. The weather was perfect—clear skies, birds chirping, the world around her calm and bright.

By the pond, a colorful little bird perched on a bare branch sticking out of the water. Pattie was lost in her drawing, trying to capture the bird's colors, when suddenly a chubby little boy-maybe five or six, with a mischievous grin-came barreling over. He snatched her sketchbook and jeered, "What the heck is this? Some kind of worm? Layna, you gotta see this-her drawing's a joke!"

usual crew-two boys and two girls, all regulars from the neighborhood. Layna was tough and rowdy, and the rest followed her around like her personal fan club. After losing face last time, Layna wasn't about to let it go, so she'd dragged everyone over to hassle Pattie again. Snatching the sketchbook for herself, Layna sneered,

and walked straight

Oh, right -you don't talk at

in, circling Pattie and chanting, “Mute girl, can't talk! Mute girl, so sad! Mute girl,

She glared at them, but didn't back down, holding out her hand

ripped the sketchbook in half, scattering the torn pages on the

could even finish, Pattie lunged. She'd made up her mind: next time Layna messed with her, she wouldn't just stand there. Pattie grabbed Layna's hair and yanked; both girls crashed to the

me! Get her

scrambled in, grabbing Pattie's arms and pulling at her clothes. It was four against one, but Pattie didn't care-she kicked, bit,

"Enough! Stop it!"

a crisp navy blazer-maybe ten or eleven-ran over and dove right in, pulling the kids off Pattie