#Chapter 39: The Traditional Punishment

I awoke the next morning to the sound of thunder outside my window and pounding on my bedroom door. I’d barely gotten out of bed when the door burst open and a slew of Joseph’s guards flooded in. “Mommy!” Elva shouted as she hid under the covers. “At least let me get dressed,” I said, holding up my hands. The guard closest to me shook his head. “Orders are orders.” He grabbed me roughly by the arm and dragged me toward the door. In the hallway, Joseph’s guards were arguing with Nicholas’s. Mark was running toward me. “Mark!” I called to him. “Elva’s in there!” “Don’t worry. I’ll watch her!” he called back. He tried to come closer to me, but one of the guards roughly shoved him. “Hey!” “Mark, please.” I was worried he might start something. “Elva!” Mark grit his teeth, but stepped backwards, letting the guards and me pass. “Keep her away from this! Please!” “I will,” he promised. In my nightgown, I was dragged through the hallways. It was early, just before dawn, b