By the Sea

When Samantha awoke, she felt something wet on her forehead. She reached up and pulled away a damp rag someone had placed there. "You're awake. I thought you might sleep all day," Miss Brigham said.

Samantha sat up and found herself in a cottage like Prudence's, but instead of a loom there was only a desk on which sat a Bible three times larger than the one Prudence had shown her in the meadow. "Where am I?" she asked.

"You're in my house. I thought it best after what happened." Samantha thought back to what had happened. The other kids laughing at her. A hatred building inside her until she felt ready to explode. Kicking Helena twice until she fell down. Breaking Prudence's hand. Prudence, who was only trying to help.

Samantha tried to sit up, but Miss Brigham pressed her back down. "You shouldn't get out of bed yet, dear," Miss Brigham said. Miss Brigham went over to the desk and returned with a sandwich and glass of water.

"I'm not hungry," Samantha said.

"Nonsense. You need your strength."

"That doesn't seem to be a problem," Samantha said. Nevertheless, Samantha took a bite of the sandwich to appease Miss Brigham. "Is everyone all right?"

"The reverend is taking care of them. They'll mend nicely," Miss Brigham said. Samantha sighed with relief. She couldn't bear the thought of hurting someone, even Helena. Samantha thought back to the scene in the bedroom and the rage she'd felt. How could she have done something so terrible?