75 Caroline

Caroline did not know where she was going, but she didn't care. She forced her feet, onward down the dirt road leading out of the city, refusing to look behind her as she went. She pulled the hood of her cloak tighter around her face in hopes of obscuring her features despite the warmth of another summer night. 

Few people were out on the road at night, which was a comfort. Still, Caroline kept her wits about her, and for the first time, she did not feel afraid. It was true that she had been scared when cornered by the men after the festival, but it was the intention lurking in their glassy eyes that still sent a wave of nausea over her. Not her ability to defend herself.