Excerpt: Malum

From Chapter Six

Mia had said, once, when they were both just a little bit younger, that it really was possible for everyone to get along, it just took effort. It took effort into understanding another person: understanding their ideals, understanding what mattered to them, understanding how they thought. If everyone tried to do that, then everyone would get along. It was simple, yet extremely difficult, but the more people who at least gave the effort into doing that, the more understanding and kind the world would be. It made sense to Melanie, and Melanie wanted to live by that, with Mia. Melanie thought she understood Mia, too. Mia was a kind, thoughtful, quiet girl. She was calm and sweet, and always knew the right thing to do.

Then she got knocked up, killed her family, and killed herself.

Understanding other people...it was impossible.