I was brave, but I didn’t look at Mama L, just to make sure I wouldn’t think about how she liked to say, Look, I found a Velvet Piglet in the woods I think I’ll take care of it I think I’ll nurse it back to health. I wouldn’t think about how she liked to hold me and ask, Have you heard the story of the mama who cuddled her Velvet Piglet so much that his head popped?

I pushed that Velvet Piglet feeling away. I was steadfast. I was resolute. If Mama K wouldn’t hear my report, I would find someone else to give my report to. The snakebite made me realize I was special and I was chosen and I would always act with bravery and meet my destiny head-on like a Wolfrider. So even when Mama K tried to pull my arm off and threw me out the door, I knew it was a test. I kept my eyes dry. Even when Mama L called my name I didn’t look around.

I loved my women, of course I did. They were my family. And I loved my tin house where no one knew the password unless I told them. And I loved my home which was the Holt with places that no one knew but me, for example a cave, a cliff, a tree that was a catapult, a dead giant. There was no one I knew who practiced more, who was more prepared. And still.

Rudy asked me if I wished I had a dad and this is what I wished: to be an orphan.

So when the pretty Outside Girl asked me if I wanted to try living with another family I was like hell yes and I didn’t even get in trouble for saying hell.

HELEN

Perley was gone. Lily was on her knees on the ground. Her open mouth was quicksand. Her silence might as well have been a thunderstorm, for how deafening and dark it was.

Karen said, “Get up,” and went to take her arm, and Lily threw her off. Karen backed up, but Lily stalked her step for step. Lily went for Karen with the back of her hand. She became a snake, springing, striking. When Karen tried to pin Lily’s arms to her sides, Lily ducked expertly out of her grasp, and I recognized the training Karen had drilled into Perley. I never thought Lily had paid much attention, but she came up lightly in a crouch and she brought her hand down across Karen’s face so that Karen’s head whipped around, and she stumbled. Lily proceeded to wallop Karen with grim efficiency, and as she did she talked. She hadn’t said a thing, but now she said all the things. She said: