2 11:18 The next morning , I woke up early . Sunlight streamed through the window , but it carried no warmth . I pulled my rulebook out from under my pillow and read the two lines again . A bad kid who steals something has to give it back . If they don't , they have to be locked away .. I nodded to myself . That was right . I got out of bed and poured myself a glass of water . I used to drink only soda , because Joshua said sweet things were for kids like me . I didn't feel like having anything sweet today . The water tasted like nothing , which was perfect . Sitting at my little table , I started to draw . Not a star this time , but a cake with one perfect strawberry missi- ng . Across from it stood a little girl , crying . And opposite her , a man and a woman smiled , with tell - tale red stains on their lips . When I was finished , I tore the page out , folded it neatly , and put it in my pocket . The phone rang . It was Vivian . 2 I stared at her name on the screen for a long time . She used to call me every day to see if I was okay . She said she would take care of me for Joshua . I answered . " Tricia , where were you yesterday ? I called and you didn't pick up , " her voice was as smooth and warm as ever . I didn't say anything . " Tricia ? What's wrong ? Are you feeling sick ? " " The strawberry , " I said . The line went quiet for a second . " What strawberry ? Oh , Chlo , do you want some strawberry tart ? I can bring some over later , okay ? " " It was red , " I stated . She laughed a little . " Of course , it was red , silly . Strawberries are always red . " Her gentle laugh scraped agai- nst my ears . " You ate it , " I said , each word a separate , hard little stone . The silence on the other end of the line stretched on , much longer this time . 11-10 Chapter 1 " Tricia ... did you see something ? " Her voice had changed . It was sharp now , anxious . I didn't answer . I just hung up and blocked her number . I don't need to talk to bad kids . I grabbed my little teddy bear backpack and put the drawing inside it . There was one more thing I needed . I opened Joshua's closet . It was filled with his clothes , all smelling of him - a clean , sunny smell of soap . Now it just smelled like lies . From the inner pocket of his suit jacket , I found a business card . It was for the hospital where he worked , with the director's name and number on it . I put that in my backpack , too . I was ready . The game had begun . I went to Joshua's hospital . Everyone here knew me . They called me " Mrs. Cross . " Their eyes were always full of pity and respect . A kind nurse knelt down to my level . " Tricia , what are you doing here ? Are you feeling alright ? " I shook my head and pulled the drawing from my backpack . " I need to see the director . " The nurse looked surprised for a moment , then smiled . " Of course . I'll take you . " The director's office was huge , with a big wooden desk . The walls were covered in photos , and one of them was of Joshua . He was in his white coat , smiling handsomely . Underneath it , a plaque read : Our Hero . The director , a kind - faced man with white hair , sat me down and gave me a glass of warm milk . " So , Tricia , what can I do for you ? " I handed him my drawing . He unfolded it . The smile on his face slowly faded as he studied the man , the woman , and the cake with its missing strawberry . " Tricia , this is ... " " A thief , " I said . " He stole my strawberry . " The director looked at me , his eyes filled with a complicated expression . He seemed like he wanted to say something but couldn't find the words . He placed the drawing on his desk . " Tricia , Joshua was a good doct- or , he ... " " He's not a star . " I cut him off , pulling the business card from my backpack and placing it next to the drawing . " He's a bad kid . " 5/11 11:18 Chapter 1 The director stared at the card , then back at me , and let out a long , heavy sigh . He picked up his desk phone and dialed a number . " Yes , Bill , it's me ... Regarding Dr. Cross's death benefits and the commendation ... I think we need to put a hold on that and have a discussion ... Yes , his wife was just here . " I listened silently . I didn't know what " death benefits " or " commendation " meant . I just knew I had made the right first move . A picture of a bad kid needs to hang where everyone can see it . That's the only way they'll all know what he really is .