Chapter 6: Punishment
The hot, scorching sun slapped against Ariana’s cheek as she shoved the shovel into the gutter—her final shove at last. She had spent hours cleaning it—the same gutter she had avoided, knowing full well it would become her next punishment.
That was why she had made sure to act good and well-behaved. Only for everything to shatter because of one incident. And now, this punishment felt like the best thing her father had ever "given" her.
Her chest rose and fell with heavy breaths, her skin itching under the unforgiving sun—all thanks to that chicken. That chicken better enjoy the corn, she thought bitterly. It had better soak in all those nutrients, because one day, I’ll buy that bird, cook it, and eat it with the greatest satisfaction.
Grumbling to herself inwardly, she dragged the shovel to the tap, turned on the water, and began to wash it. The job was done; she was finally done. Now, she just needed to go inside and bathe.
Touching the side of her face, she winced. It was hot—swollen even. Everything felt pressed together in her head, her thoughts buzzing. If only she had been more careful, none of this would have happened.
Her father had settled the matter with the lady—two pennies and one coin. But that money had come from their other neighbor. Now her father owed that neighbor. It was a mess.
Ariana carried the cleaned shovel to the side of the cottage, setting it down carefully near the woodpile. It was borrowed, for her punishment. She’d return it to the neighbor later.
She carefully arranged the shovel down, knowing that if anything happened to it, she’d be held accountable. And she didn’t even want to imagine what kind of punishment her father would come up with next. His punishments always seemed to grow harsher with every new offense—more painful, more humiliating. That was just how he was.
’Isn’t today such a great day? I’ll be meeting the king of another punishment again—spectacular,’ she said to herself with a painful smile.