MILDRED

PATHETIC AND HOPELESS

I stared at the bandage on my neck one last time before pulling a turtle-neck shirt over it. I did not want the council to see just how deeply and how unpleasant Enid's anger had settled on me.

I did not want to risk his crown.

I thought over and over again how boldly I had behaved, slapping Enid so hard on the face and speaking too boldly about cursing him.

I regretted all of that now my anger had left me. I regretted hurting Enid. I did not want to be the person he was to me. I did not want to hurt people just...