Hello, my name is anika

11. Wisdom?

Hi Riley!

Listen to the bus music. Christmas.

I like Christmas music. It reminds me of happy times.

Hopefully she'll be nicer.

... thank you. How did you know i needed that?

That's nice but not true.

The holidays. Every day brings me closer to ... staying with her.

Sorry. I shouldn't think of it. Worrying makes you suffer twice.

I shouldn't complain. Sorry. There are so many people in worse conditions than me.

Yeah, you're right. Just because others have it worse off than I do doesn't mean I suffer less. That was really wise.

No, you are wise.

Wisdom is telling other people not to do stupid stuff. But first, you have to do a lot of stupid stuff. That's how it usually goes in the books.

Basically, every wise person was stupid.

That saying, "with age comes wisdom." is stupid. it should be "with stupidity comes wisdom."

I know that sounds counterintuitive. But doesn't every wise thing sound slightly stupid at first?

Im just repeating your wisdom.

You're the wise one. Im the

______________________

Hi Aunt M. I'm back

I'm fine. I just have a little cough.

Of course, I put my mask on right away.

I-Aunt?

Nothing. Sorry.

I'll go to my room now and read.

...

Mom? Dad?

I was so close. So close To actually wanting to kill someone yesterday.

I was mad at her, but she couldn't deserve what I have, to... to die.

I want to rise up, but not by killing.

I was also so close to saying to my aunt something. Anything, anything rebellious, to try to tell her what she was doing.

I need to stop her.

I will stop her.

I just need to find the right time.

Then I will strike.

She will regret everything.

Either that, or she'll be taken away.