Read Wilhelmina A Novella for Free Online

cuts and scratches, I drew strength from them.
    I would last longer than Agnes, longer than Nancy, longer than Bernice, and Constance. Bernice had lasted the longest, staying five days inside without food or water. I desperately hoped that meant that she had surrendered. There was no way that Elizabeth Bathory could get away with the murder and torture of a child. I prayed to God that she wouldn’t get away with this. I would stop her from treating any other girl like this.
    I had nothing but the soil in the ground to sit on, and so I huddled in the corner and held my knees to my chest. I tried my best to ignore the burning pain in my stomach; I was so hungry. I refused to cry because I didn’t want to give her any form of power over me.
    As night drew closer, the afternoon sun was low enough to shine through the boards. It was warm. I saw Mr. Abberdean in this small gift from the skies and heavens. I felt him there with me, and I smiled as I imagined him holding me in the dirt and reading his poems to me. He was all I needed then, and as the frigid pit inside of me inflated with nostalgic warmth in his image, I was certain that he would be enough to see me through this now.
    The night was cold, and my mind was going stir-crazy and I wanted something, anything, to eat. I cried, and screamed for someone to help me, but no one came.
    By the next morning my throat was dry and sticky, and I longed for water. I so craved food and water that I clawed into the soil and dirt because I had nothing else to distract me from the pain.
    ‘Wilhelmina...’ I wasn’t certain I had actually heard Evonne’s voice, I simply laid there and stared at the dark pieces of wood around me. ‘Wilhelmina, please say something so that I know that you’re alive.’
    ‘I’m here,’ I gasped, though my voice was raspy and weak.
    ‘Wilhelmina, what on earth have you done?’ She hissed with urgency. ‘The governess was furious the night before last, and she won’t allow anyone to come down to see you. The only reason I’m here now is because I’m meeting the postal boy at the horse stables. What did you do to upset her?’
    ‘Nothing,’ I told her.
    ‘Wilhelmina, don’t insult me by lying to me!’ Evonne snapped. I was silent for a moment and I sat up, crawling to the small opening between boards where I could see her light hazel eye looking back into mine. ‘What have you done?’
    ‘I tried to get Mr. Abberdean’s letters while she was having one of her monthly dinner parties,’ I admitted. ‘There was a man who followed me into the governess’ den, and he had the key to her desk drawer. He told me that he would give me the key if I sat on his lap, and that’s all. I swear to you, Evonne, that’s all that happened!’
    ‘Do you realize what you’ve done?’ Evonne barked in a whisper. She hushed me as I began to cry. ‘I know, Wilhelmina, I know. You would never do anything foul for mere letters.’
    ‘What’s going to happen to me?’ I asked, frightened to my very bones. I had no idea what was to become of me, I just wanted to be back in my own little room beside my window reading Jane Austen and looking forward to Tuesday nights.
    ‘The governess said that you may come out when you are ready to cut your hair. She will send Minus to make the offer this evening’ Evonne said.  ‘Just accept the offer, Wilhelmina.’
    ‘No.’ I was firm in my resolve and no matter what torture I must endure, I would keep my long hair.
    ‘Wilhelmina, I have seen far more stubborn girls in this shed for better reasons, and you do not want to endure the consequences. Please, just accept the offer,’ Evonne said. ‘It’s only hair.’
    ‘I will not cut my hair,’ I told her sternly, as though she were a representative for the enemy army. Evonne gave in with a sigh and left it at that.
    ‘I must go, I can see the postal boy now. I’ll come back when I get another moment.’ She stood and straightened out her dress. ‘Please think