"Clara! What are you doing?"
I jumped at my mother's shrill voice, my hand falling back to my side before I could decide whether to take Brielle's offered friendship. Mother stormed toward us, her face contorted with irritation.
"What have I told you about speaking with these people?" she hissed, grabbing my arm and pulling me away from Brielle. "We will not be speaking to anyone today. Come with me this instant."
I shot an apologetic glance at Brielle, whose outstretched hand slowly lowered. The warmth in her eyes dimmed, replaced by a resigned understanding that made my chest tighten with guilt.
"Mother," I protested as she dragged me toward a private antechamber, "I was just—"
"Just what? Fraternizing with one of that monster's victims?" She practically spat the words. "Do you want people to associate you with them? With what happened in that house?"
