The Vote to Open

The surviving council members stood in the gallery. Some voted yes. Some voted no. Ruth Bell abstained.

Claire asked why.

“Because I know what it means to open someone before they are ready.”

The vote tied.

Wren raised her hand.

“I am not on the council.”

“No,” Claire said. “But you are named in the consequence.”

The room allowed her vote.

The envelope opened.

Inside was a child’s drawing of a lake, a hospital bracelet, and one sentence: I did not start this.

Everett's first memory began.