One of them didn't know what to say. The others didn't have enough courage.

I woke them up every morning and none of them wanted to.
I made them wash their faces and put their clothes on. I made them walk to school and back home and I made them sit still for hours.

They didn't mind.

I made them carve words on their arms and I made them cry. They tried to object but I told them to shut up.

They obeyed.

I said "don't mind" and they tried very hard to do what was told. They tried very hard to stop feeling and being afraid and they tried very very hard to believe. I made them laugh every once in a while, to keep them happy. I didn't mind that their smiles were strained and that their arms and eyes still kept bleeding.

I wanted them to be grateful.