Dakota stood frozen, the cold weight of the hose now in her hand feeling suddenly alien and wrong. She looked down at the two prostrate women, their shoulders shaking with barely contained terror. The simple act of wanting to water a flower had transformed into a scene of profound dread.
This was the reality of her new world. A world where a Luna touching a garden hose was a transgression punishable by death. The freedom she'd felt moments ago evaporated, replaced by the heavy, invisible chains of her title.
A sharp pang of guilt and frustration cut through her. She had just been laughing, feeling light. She wouldn't let this shadow ruin it, or terrify these women any further.
