Chapter 11

The faint red glow seemed so eerie.

But as I touched my own furrowed face and thought of Sophia's transformation, my heart stirred with desire.

Sophia was quite generous; surely she wouldn't mind if I used a few of her masks.

Aunt Lucy probably wouldn't remember how many boxes of masks Sophia had anyway.

But wouldn't this make me a thief?

Besides, the owner had just died. It didn't feel right to steal her things.

I hesitated and put the mask down.

But my mind was filled with memories of being disliked and mocked since childhood.

No boys wanted to sit next to me in school.

When I didn't have money for the bus fare, no one was willing to help.

Even the boy I had liked for three years probably didn't know I existed.

I gritted my teeth and grabbed the two boxes of masks, stuffing them into my bag.

I hadn't been paid for the past two weeks of part-time work anyway. Worst case, I'd forgo the money.

If Aunt Lucy asked me, I'd just firmly deny knowing anything.

I locked the door and wondered where to put the key.

I didn't dare go downstairs, but luckily, I saw that Aunt Lucy's door was ajar.