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“That’s very good to hear,” Mom says. She takes Alyssa’s shoulder and gives her a comforting squeeze, but Alyssa doesn’t seem too keen on the physical affection. “I’m so sorry this is happening. The two of you were as close as Morgan was capable of being with another person, I suppose. What with all of her …”

Problems, Mom leaves out.

Alyssa says, “She was struggling.”

I swallow hard. I really, really wish the heat would turn off. It’s suffocating in here. I brush my sweat-soaked hair from my forehead and lean against the wall.

“She was having a hard time,” Alyssa says. “I mean, things are always hard for her, which I get, but. It’s been really hard for her lately. Getting in trouble all the time, always mad … we’ve barely talked.”

Mom blinks. “Oh god. Do you think she’s looking for you, too? Do you think she’d be coming here?”

“I don’t know?” Alyssa hesitates. “It was because of the documentary. It was messing with her. I could tell she felt like a bug being burned with a magnifying glass or something. Being reminded of everything, having to talk about it? It was making her unwell.”

Mom seems tense.

Alyssa isn’t picking up her story. Alyssa isn’t blaming me.

“Maybe I didn’t see the warning signs,” Mom finally says. “You’re right. It’s just, nobody wants to confront the ugly sides of autism. Aggression, the—the lack of empathy …”

Leah shifts uncomfortably. Alyssa chews on her bottom lip.

“I don’t think it’s that,” Alyssa says. “It wasn’t because Morgan’s autistic or anything. It’s because you didn’t help him.”

Him.

I’m crying. Again. One word is making my throat close up and my eyes burn.

No, no, not now. I pull away from Felicity, scrub at my face, try to get myself together. I can’t make noise. She’s so close, and if she hears me—

When I pull away from Felicity, my foot hits something.

A metal trash can.

It tips, and crashes onto the floor.

anna brooks @anna_brookie22 – 29s

Replying to @hypergirlpopxx

girl did you see what happened on Bellamy Slaughter’s live??? Is she okay?? Has anyone heard from her???

Gore Girl @goregirl91 – 58s

On 3:XXpm on October XX, 20XX, Bellamy Slaughter, wife of serial killer Graham Nathaniel Slaughter, livestreamed in a panic: her teenage daughter, Morgan, had committed a terrible act of violence not minutes prior, and might be planning to commit another.

Here’s what we know (thread):

baby! @iagopaloma_ – 1m

holy SHIT did anyone see that bellamy slaughter livestream

Katherine Oakland @katherine249329194 – 1m

Hello @DCPoliceDept please check on Bellamy slaughter she is in danger my family is very scared for her and scared to be on the street in dc please help thank you god bless you

The trash can hitting the floor.

Clang.