Read Guilt for Free Online

and Corry a newspaper article, and waited with a wicked smirk for their reactions. It didn't take long for him to receive the pleasure he desired over the effect that the article's topic had on his two classmates.
    The report came from the front page of the local newspaper,
The Brickerton Press
. The paper was a small one, almost laughable in it's scanty content. Most of the articles regarded local high school sports news or were pieces about national events that were reprinted from more prominent press publishers; and the biggest section of the paper was the obituaries.
    Recently, however, the town was shaken by a crime that had every parent and child frightened to venture out of their homes.
The Press
finally had something to write about. For once the local headlines made national headlines, instead of the other way around.
    Last week's paper broke the story (though, most people in the area had heard it through word of mouth by that time) that a local eleven-year old girl had gone missing from her neighborhood. The police suspected that the child was abducted from the back yard of her own home, which was located on the outskirts of town, and declared the case to be a kidnapping rather than a lost child situation. They wouldn't share the details that lead them to this conclusion. They just warned the people of the town to keep a close eye on their children.
    The latest article only let the readers know that the police had not been able to get any further yet in the case. Teaming up with the FBI, they broadened their investigation, and had been scouring every inch of woods in the area. They also started searching the local garbage dump for clues. The article continued on, stating that the family still held out hope that the girl was alive, but the police were fearing the worst at this point.
    The news was devastating to the entire community, even to those like Claire, who didn't really know the family. Such crimes were unfathomable in a small town. It brought panic and anxiety to a people who had never really known the immorality of vile criminal acts. It awakened a new sense of distrust and brought them face to face with the realities of the world.
    She felt disgusted at the Freak's desire to find inspiration in such a story, and attempted to let the art teacher know this when he made the rounds to their table, but Mr. Dart commended the Freak on his "no fear attitude" about tackling tough subjects. That was part of what art was about, he said. Claire disagreed, but didn't know how to express her argument. She looked to Corry, hoping that he would side with her, but he said nothing. He just stared at the blank piece of paper in front of him as if in contemplation of his work.
    Claire gave up, angry that she was the only one who felt opposed to such a subject for their artwork. She sat for ten minutes in her chair, looking at her white sheet of paper and brooding over the project. She decided, at last, to direct her inspiration towards a happy ending. She imagined the little girl re-uniting with her parents in an embrace on the front porch of their home.
    Her skill couldn't quite match her desire, and the permanency of the charcoal made her work difficult. More than once she became disappointed in her drawing and had to start with a fresh piece of paper. When she crumpled her third sheet in frustration, Corry looked up from his own drawing. He observed her for a moment before cautiously deciding to speak. "I know this may sound insensitive, but you just have to try to distance yourself from the topic. So you can get it done."
    Claire contemplated this for a moment before responding, "It's art isn't it? It's not meant to be objective. It's meant to express your feelings. How can you distance yourself from your feelings?"
    Corry looked at her, stunned for a moment. He appeared to realize what she said. His face became a bit strained and he flushed, ashamed of the advice he had given. "You're right. Sorry. I was just trying to