Once he’s finished arranging the child on the cross, braiding ropes around his arms to keep him from falling, he returns to the car to retrieve his paint supplies. He sets his easel up in a small area not far from the cross and as the dawn breaks, he begins to work on his painting. It’s not long before the Little Christ’s screams dim until they’re soundless, his head lowering as if in prayer. He doesn’t bother to check. But he knows he’s dead.

He doesn’t remember what happens next until he sees flashing lights – red and blue – idling toward his car on the quarry’s ledge.

The interviewer asks the teenager, “If you could see your baby brother again, what would you say to him?”

The teenager inhales, as if thinking deeply. Then, quite matter-of-factly, he stares straight ahead at the interview with a blank expression and says one word: “Nothing.”

I could never dream of being a monster like that.

Neither of us are monsters.

Don’t we deserve a second chance?

I hope you’ll accept this email as my apology and – if you’re willing, of course – I hope you’ll accept me as your Drudge once more to be faithful to you and to give myself entirely to you.

I’ll be waiting for your email.

Love,

Agnes

EMAIL FROM AGNES PETRELLA

Date: 07/30/2000

Time: 11:37 p.m.

From: Agnes Petrella <agnes_in_wonderland_76@[omitted].com>

To: Zoe Cross <crushedmarigolds@[omitted].com>

Subject: Re: An Apology I Owe You

Please write back. I promise to dedicate myself entirely to you.

I’m not better off without you.

I wrote you that story about “The Little Christ” because I wanted to show you there are worse people in the world. We don’t belong in their company. We belong together. I know we do.

Agnes

EMAIL FROM ZOE CROSS

Date: 07/31/2000

Time: 8:32 p.m.

From: Zoe Cross <crushedmarigolds@[omitted].com>

To: Agnes Petrella <agnes_in_wonderland_76@[omitted].com>

Subject: Re: An Apology I Owe You

Agnes,

I’m sorry if I’ve been keeping you on edge the past few days since you sent your first email. I’ve been unexpectedly busy at work and I’ve been trying my best to stay afloat while juggling so many different projects.

I, of course, accept your apology. I was hoping you would eventually reach out as I’ve been thinking of you a lot lately as well.

I agree to resuming our contract and moving forward with your proposal. I don’t necessarily think we need to agree to the contract again as we both understand the consequences of going against what the document stipulates.

However, I do want it known that I require full obedience and honesty if this relationship is to thrive. Any disloyalty, deceit, or noncompliance will be met with a termination of the contract and we will once again go our separate ways.