Ridgeline Review
under his control and Matty won’t tell us what is going on. I keep working on my picture and pick up the pink, purple, blue, and green floss. I do this because it allows me to reach across the desks and look Matt right in the eyes. I try to look him up and down to see what he has been doing with his body. I feel like I have become a detective. As I continue to work I realize something. The box of cross-stitch needles has gone missing. Our table had all the supplies today, with everyone coming over to get their supplies. There had been a box of needles. I find this weird and wonder where it went. I see the glint in Matt’s hand. I try to look closer. I see needles all over his right hand. What in the world? What has he done! He has gone crazy! I look at Matty again and he sways back and forth. Tears stream down his face. I put my hand on his trying to make sure he stays okay. I need to take control of the situation now. “Matt, can you help hold my project for me?” I ask him. Matt looks over at me startled. It is the first time I have talked to him since Miss Harp left us to work in groups. “No, do it yourself,” he tells me rudely. “But I need you to hold it flat while I put on the back,” I say. He just groans and gets up. He walks around the table and comes closer to our side of the table. Matty gets more agitated, and I realize that whatever Matt has done to his hand has Matty upset. We have an answer. Now I need to figure out what to do. I ask Matt, “Let me see your hand.” He whips his hand up and starts waving it around. He makes a real show of it. He is proud of his handywork on his right hand. I fearlessly grab it, but he pulls back. But I have seen enough. All over his hand he has placed needles just under the surface skin, making it look like the needles are stuck in his hand. It looks like there are at least twenty needles now stuck in his hand, basically sewn into his skin. As I continue to look at his hand, Matty mewls in pain behind me. “Why, Matt, why did you hurt yourself?” he says. “Take them out, please, you
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