The walk back to school felt longer than ever.
No arguments.
No complaints.
Just silence.
Tracy walked beside Joy, her head lowered, her marked hand hidden inside her bag as if she could make it disappear.
But she could still feel it.
Burning.
Heavy.
Like a constant reminder she couldn’t escape.
As soon as they entered the compound, all eyes turned.
“Look! They’re back!”
“Where were they?”
“Madame Rose has been waiting!”
Whispers spread quickly.
Tracy felt her chest tighten.
Normally, she would have snapped back at them… but not today.
Today, she just kept quiet.
Joy gently touched her arm. “It’s okay. Let’s just go.”
They walked into the classroom.
Madame Rose was already there.
Standing.
Waiting.
Angry.
Her cane rested firmly in her hand.
“So,” she said slowly, “you finally decided to come.”
The class went completely silent.
Joy stepped forward.
“I’m sorry, ma,” she said respectfully. “I stopped to help an old woman who was carrying firewood. She was too weak—”
“Silence!” Madame Rose snapped.
Her eyes moved to Tracy.
“And you?”
Tracy froze.
All her usual boldness… gone.
“I… I followed her later, ma,” she said quietly.
The class exchanged shocked looks.
Tracy… speaking softly?
Something was definitely wrong.
Madame Rose sighed in frustration.
“You two think kindness is more important than discipline?” she said.
Joy lowered her head. “No, ma…”
“You will both kneel outside the class for the rest of the period.”
A few students snickered.
Normally, Tracy would have protested.
Argued.
Refused.
But today—
She simply nodded.
“Yes, ma.”
Even Madame Rose paused for a second, surprised.
They knelt side by side.
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