Adam was scared about getting caught. He knew graffiti was wrong, but it was important to him to add the name to the wall.

He’d stuck behind after the tour guide described it. It was a list of everyone who had died on the temple’s grounds, whose souls were believed to remain there in eternal service. It was considered an honour to be so dedicated, the guide had explained.

Finished scratching in the name with his room key, Adam checked the shallow marks to make sure it was legible, then caught up with his mother, holding her sweaty hand. It was too warm to be wearing long sleeves, but she needed to hide the fresh bruises. His father walked ahead of them silently, begrudging them this tour as another apology.

Being young, Adam did not yet understand the difference between cause and effect. He understood that everyone listed on that wall died in the temple. He did not understand that the names were written after.

He watched his father swear as he stumbled and hoped he’d been clear enough.

“dad”