Stepsister

by Jennifer Donnelly

“Here are the things girls die of: hunger, disease, accidents, childbirth, and violence. It takes more than heartache to kill a girl. Girls are tough as rocks.”

“No, of course not. Why would he? Why would you?” she asked. “But I don’t cut off toes anymore …” And then, with an earsplitting cry, she swung her blade high and sliced cleanly through Volkmar’s neck. “I cut off heads.”