“You can’t leave now,” said Helga. “It’s coming on winter. She’ll be at the height of her power, if you even reach her, traveling in the snow. Come inside. You can go in spring…” Gerta stared at her. Did she really think that Gerta would go back in the house? Does she think I’m stupid enough to trust her again? “Are you mad?” she asked. “Do you think after all this—Are you mad?” “I was keeping you safe!” “I don’t need to be safe!” Gerta could feel herself getting mad, but surely it was all right to be mad now, surely this, of all things, one could be mad about.
