The Wilds (The Wilds, #1)

by Donna Augustine

None of these girls were Plaguers, but that was the least common ticket into this place. In truth, there were lots of ways to be deemed criminally insane. Like in Margo’s case, when she claimed her father was molesting her. Margo’s father was a government employee. You didn’t say bad things about government employees, even if you were their daughter. You either took what they dished out and ate it up with a smile or this was where you ended.

many times I’d been through this, I still dreaded it. When I was being honest about it, I knew it was fear I felt. I might have hated that most of all, being afraid. No matter how I tried to talk myself down in my head, diminish it as just a short period of pain, I could never totally get rid of the feelings.

I know the feeling

Now it wasn’t just the pain I faced when I came here but humiliation as well. I’d always remember how pathetic I’d been. I’ve heard pride is a sin. In my book, begging is worse.

I know the feeling

I didn’t cry out. Maybe I should’ve but I fought against it. I could only give them so much of myself before I’d have nothing. The

I know the feeling

Even if I got out of here tomorrow and lived a thousand years, the hate I had in my heart for her would never dim. Sometimes in these moments, it swelled so large I feared the hate might one day take over everything I was.

I know the feeling

was still better because the weak didn’t survive any life worth living in the Wilds. In my opinion, the Wilds was the perfect place for me to regroup and start preparing.

And you're so strong, deliberately malnourished and kept sedentary