Taylor went to a large enough school that the majority of their classmates had no clue if they were a boy or girl. The school was relatively new and had one gender neutral bathroom on each hall. They were generally used by the students in wheelchairs, but during class the restrooms were generally empty. One day, Tay would dress feminine the next they dressed in a three piece men’s suit. It was easy for them, they looked neither masculine or feminine. The only people who knew, were friends that had been to their home. The baby pictures had Taylor in dresses and bows.

Taylor had moved from their small town to a large city so their father could work. Taylor had always preferred to dress however they felt comfortable and lived in a family that allowed that to happen. They were never pushed to be a certain way. Long hair, colored every color imaginable or dresses from 1950 and three piece suits that were reminiscent of the Victorian era, all of it was encouraged for Taylor. 

The machete that Taylor had found the second day of The Fall, was in their hand swinging lightly as they walked around the perimeter of the fence that surrounded their property. It had been hard work putting it up and many long says and into the night, digging holes and putting in the posts, but now Taylor had pretty formiddable fence. They wood was strong and sturdy and the concrete blocks on their side were painted in all kinds of graffiti. It gave them something to do. Taylor stopped and looked up at the darkening sky. The days were getting shorter and colder. They needed to get the greenhouse ready so that they would have some vegetables this winter. It wouldn’t be too hard. They could do it in the morning. 

Taylor headed back to the porch of the one room cabin and scraped the mud off of their boots on the scraper by the steps. They opened the door and went in, taking off their boots by the door. Taylor wished their parents were here, but they were long gone, probably just a bunch of clothing scraps left on the ground. 

They shook their head, willing the thoughts to go out of their ears and out into the nothingness outside.

It would be another quiet night, making something to eat and then straight to bed. Taylor was starting to get a bit stir crazy. Seven months being completely alone was starting to become something of a chore. 

***

“Tay! Baby! Come on down and eat your breakfast!” Taylor’s mom called from downstairs in the kitchen. 

Tay got up from the edge of the bed after pulling on their tattered sneakers. They had three tests that day and comfy clothes were the thing of the day. They clomped down the stairs and sat down at the table. “Where’s dad?”

“He already left. He had a meeting this morning. He told me to tell you to do well on your tests and he believes in you.”

Tay smiled softly and started to eat their cereal.

A gunshot and a scream broke through the silence of the morning. 

Taylor’s mom ran to the door.

Fighting, screaming, and shattering glass.

***

Taylor woke with a start. The bad dreams always came after they started to think about all of the things that happened that day.