I ignored him.
"That's quite a large bag you have today." I ignored him again and picked up my pace as much as I dared without him noticing. He grabbed my arm, roughly.
Something inside me snapped. "Don't you dare put your hands on me." He did not let me go, and I jerked hard.
"You're leaving," he announced smugly. "You think you can run away? I'm telling my Father right now." He began to turn, then whipped his head back to me. "Unless you want to make a little deal? Maybe you can give me something in return for my silence." He looked me up and down. I was reminded of him sneaking around behind me last night when I was helpless in the pillory. I felt my bravery sliding downward and slinking out of my body. Franklin was more dangerous than we'd ever realized.
"See you this evening, Lucy." Mother. She lied for me. Tears sat on her cheeks, but she was in a rage if ever there was one. Her voice more than a little dangerous. She was covering for me. Franklin wouldn't say more with an elder present.
"Franklin, my daughter is preparing her heartfor the day. You understand." Mother's voice was sickly sweet. She gave him noreason to argue. I touched my heart in gratitude. Franklin nodded curtly, thenstomped away. "You'd better hurry," Mother said. "Don't let him find you." Inodded. I didn't have it in me to say good-bye again, but I couldn't resist onemore hug. Without looking at her again, I began a jog down the path, my giantbag slapping my leg.
YOU ARE READING
Three Converts
Ficção GeralLucy is born into a community that requires its members to recruit three people before they turn twenty. Or pay the price.
