human
And now, said Jo,
gpt
Over there,
human
You live there?
gpt
I used to. I ran away last night. I’ve run away many times. They always caught me before.
human
Where were you last night?
gpt
Here in the woods.
human
Were they cruel to you over there?
gpt
Do you mean, did they beat me? No, they didn’t beat my body, but they beat something else, something inside of me, all out of shape. They tried to make me into something I am not, something I do not want to be. They, they flattened me out. They were always teaching me, teaching me.
human
I never saw you at the Home, she said;
gpt
I’ve often been there.
human
They only show the good ones—the ones they can be sure of. I took care of the babies when I wasn’t being punished, locked up, you know. You see, I learned and could teach.
gpt
They locked you up?
human
Yes, to keep me from running away. You’re not going to tell them about me, are you?
gpt
No. But where are you going?
human
I’m, I’m looking for someone.
gpt
Looking for whom?
human
I do not know.
gpt
What is your name?
human
I do not know. Over there they call me Marie, but that isn’t my name.
gpt
I can’t let you go off alone by yourself,
human
Then, what are you going to do with me? Please try to help me. You see I was very sick once and I—I cannot remember what happened before that, but it keeps coming closer and closer and pressing harder and harder—here. The girl put her hand to her head.
gpt
Once in awhile I catch little bits and then I hold them close and keep them. If I could be let alone I think soon I would remember.