The World Never Ended novel · Chapter 9 of 24

Chapter 9: Three Stones

The memorial field was half a mile behind the compound fence, and I had been allowed to walk there three times.

Each time it was after a birth, and each time two guards walked behind me, and a loudspeaker told me I had ten minutes.

The stones were the reason I had signed.

I had never been back in the dark.

The guardian petition was folded in my coat, and its hearing was Monday at nine.

If a judge signed it, Dean would own my signature, my money and my right to speak.

Shane had called a lawyer from the truck, and she had told him to get her evidence before Monday.

So I would deal with the stones first, and then I would go and take Dean's life apart in front of his guests.

Shane parked at the end of the dirt road and carried a sledgehammer out of the truck bed without being asked.

"That's from the crew," he said. "They said you'd want it."

I took it.

It was heavier than I expected, and the handle was warm from the cab.

"Stay by the truck," I said.

"I will."

"Don't give me advice."

"I wasn't going to."

I walked into the field alone.

Three gray stones stood in a row on the grass, waist high, polished on the front.

SYLVIA SANDSTROM, BELOVED MOTHER.

GORDON SANDSTROM, BELOVED FATHER.

DEAN DELAMATER, BELOVED HUSBAND.

Under each name there was a date and the words Rest in Peace.

I had sat in front of these stones and cried until the guards took me away.

I had told them things.

I had told the stone that said Mom that I was sorry I was sick, and that I had not meant to take her food.

I stood in front of it with the sledgehammer.

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