Page 19 of A Love of Wrath and Rapture

“We have spoken,” Harold states, his voice booming louder than the chanting. “So have the good people of our settlement.”

A hand is raised, silencing the residents as the leader leans forward in his seat, wearing a wicked grin on his sinister face. Goosebumps crawl along my skin at the sight.

“It would be wise to leave on your own accord, Evangeline. While you still can.”

“While I still can?” I repeat, the words causing my throat to close up. “I beg of you to have a heart! It’s the dead of winter out there. You know how unforgiving the cold is!”

“And?”

The reply is so mockingly spoken that I feel it weakens my strength. I cannot stop a tear from falling. But I can’t give up, I won’t go down without a fight.

“If you cast me out now then death will claim me. I know what I did was wrong, but if you allow me to stay then I will pull double duty. Just don’t send me out alone, please.”

It’s my last shot. The residents break out into their chant once more, this time louder in volume by the growth in numbers.

“Expel her! Expel her!”

“Silence!” Harold repeats, his hand enclosed into a fist. “Evangeline, the council has said all it has to say on the matter. I suggest you go pack your belongings.”

The crowd breaks out into a cheer as the council glares down with evil pride. I look at my dwindling number of friends amidst the villagers, slowly retreating until I can see them no more.

In that moment, an unbridled rage barges its way past my sadness, propelling me into a fury.

“No!” I holler, my voice drowning out every other in the vicinity.

Some residents double-take, stepping back in concern. Even the council members drop their smiles, exchanging looks of concern as I defiantly march closer.

“You may hand me your verdict but you do not control me. If you so badly want me out of here, then you’ll have to throw me out yourself.”

Harold snarls at me. I spin around, facing the cowardly faces of the settlement.

“This is my home as much as it is yours. We need each other in this cold and brutal world, yet you’re eager to rid yourself of the responsibility of another human life, how shameful!”

I see their disgust, anger, and confusion written across their faces. The children are pulled back to safety as if I’m a threat.

“I will not be wrongly ousted!”

I shoot one last glare over my shoulder, my eyes meeting the angered stares of the council members.

Then, I break away from the gathering. Settlers part as I approach like I’m some kind of monster, only adding to this newfound feeling of loneliness.

I stop and turn to face Renee. She immediately turns away, her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment.

“Traitor,” I growl.

I let out a frustrated sigh of contempt, fighting the urge to spit at her feet. But I’m not that low, not even on my worst day.

Making way for my dwelling, I retreat into the comfort of my safe space, being sure to check outside my home for any pursuers. Once the coast is clear, the threshold is shut.

I start a fire, partly to get warm but mostly to distract myself from what just happened. As the snaps and crackling ripple through the enclosed space, thoughts of alienating the entire community against me grow louder in volume.

“There’s no one who can help me now,” I say to myself. “Fuck.”

I take the fireplace poker next to my bedding. It feels so wrong to equip myself for the worst, but nothing is off limits now that they’ve exiled me.

“I won’t go, they can’t make me.”

My attempts at self-reassurance don’t work. I let the poker fall to the floor as my head collapses into my hands.

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