Shatter-Me-PDF-Shatter-Me-Series-Shatter-Me-Shatter-Me-1-Tahereh-Mafi (1)

She is a walking weapon in society, is what the teachers
said. We’ve never seen anything like it, is what the doctors
said. She should be removed from your home, is what the
police officers said.
No problem at all, is what my parents said. I was 14 years
old when they finally got rid of me. When they stood back
and watched as I was dragged away for a murder I didn’t
know I could commit.
Maybe the world is safer with me locked in a cell. Maybe
Adam is safer if he hates me. He’s sitting in the corner with
his fists in his face.
I never wanted to hurt him.
I never wanted to hurt the only person who never wanted
to hurt me.
The door crashes open and 5 people swarm into the room,
rifles pointed at our chests.
Adam is on his feet and I’m made of stone. I’ve forgotten
to inhale. I haven’t seen so many people in so long I’m
momentarily stupefied. I should be screaming.
“HANDS UP, FEET APART, MOUTHS SHUT. DON’T MOVE
AND WE WON’T SHOOT YOU.”
I’m still frozen in place. I should move, I should lift my
arms, I should spread my feet, I should remember to
breathe. Someone is cutting off my neck.
The one barking orders slams the butt of his gun into my
back and my knees crack as they hit the floor. I finally taste
oxygen and a side of blood. I think Adam is yelling but there
is an acute agony ripping through my body unlike anything
I’ve experienced before. I’m utterly immobilized.
“What don’t you understand about keeping your mouth
SHUT?” I squint sideways to see the barrel of the gun 2
inches away from Adam’s face.
“GET UP.” A steel-toed boot kicks me in the ribs, fast, hard,
hollow. I’m swallowing nothing but the strangled gasps