Game over.
Carmen folds her arms across her chest, her little jaw tight, her eyes narrowing as she studies the space where Owen had been moments ago.
“Connor… he’s not really nice, is he?” Carmen asks, her voice low so the teacher won’t hear, though she doesn’t bother to hide the suspicion in her tone.
Connor shake his head slowly, glancing down at the pile of toys he left behind. A small stuffed bear, a brightly coloured puzzle, a box of candy neatly wrapped in plastic, all of it innocent enough to the adults around them. But they have learned to look beyond appearances.
“Nope,” Connor says quietly, leaning back in his little chair.