CHAPTER 29
Willa
I’m so cold. Is it still daytime? Where’s Evie?
I want Mama.
I’m so cold.
•••
Mama touches me and I don’t want her to. Her hands are like fireplace pokers.
Don’t touch me. Why is there ice in my bed?
She holds a cup to my lips, but I don’t want a drink. Leave me alone.
I want Papa.
Make it stop.
•••
Someone pulls back my blanket and it hurts. My heart hurts. My arms. My neck. Someone tries to bend close to me and I push them away. My throat hurts. My heart. My head.
Flossie, how did you get in here?
She has a new parasol. Pink with lace and ribbons. She laughs and runs through the grass. I see birds.
Don’t touch me.
It is nighttime.
It is daytime.
Flossie?
Shhhh, Mama says, I’m right here.
•••
I hear a baby crying.
Henry.
I try to sit up. I want to see Henry. I want to see him!
But a dragon pins me to my bed with his sharp claws. His mouth is full of fire.
Henry!
I cough out fire.
I’m the dragon.
