Kingdom of the Weak

75. White

Shame.

Mandy felt it weighing down on her like a wet blanket. Again and again, she was haunted by a memory of her reaction to Mindy’s excitement. The very idea of returning to the Frontier, of facing another Beast Wave… just thinking about it made her bones hurt, as if they remembered being broken.

She felt vulnerable. So very vulnerable. But to reveal her fear and vulnerability to Mindy, of all people! How could she face her younger sister any more?

No! She had to regain her senses, regain control! She had to be the older sister and protect Mindy!

And Mandy already knew the best way to protect that excitable younger sister of hers; simply take her away from danger. Didn’t she see how the other kids here thrived? Didn’t she see how safe and happy they were? They were running around without fear! They were wearing clean clothes, gaining weight, and nobody needed bandages or plasters every day! She could have that too; Mandy was willing to work for the Meadows Household in whatever c