“My teacher locks the classroom door after everyone leaves.”
Grandma stared at me.
I hesitated.
Then I slowly pulled up my sleeves.
There were red marks around my wrists.
“She ties my hands too.”
Grandma went completely still.
“What?”
I lowered my eyes.
“She says I’m not allowed to leave until she says so.”
That night, I heard Grandma walking around the house long after I went to bed.
The next morning, she hugged me tightly before school.
She didn’t tell me what she was planning.
That afternoon, the final bell rang.
The other children rushed into the hallway.
I stayed behind.
Mrs. Carter closed the classroom door.
Then I heard the lock click.
My stomach tightened.
A few minutes later, my grandmother arrived at the school.
She asked to see me.
Mrs. Carter stepped into the hallway and smiled calmly.
“Daniel already went home.”
But Grandma knew that wasn’t true.
