Chapter 37 — HARRIET

THE AIR CONDITIONING unit is turning a hot summer day into deep winter, but the chill is balmier than the glares surrounding me.

I fold my hands on the desk to keep them from trembling. No one moves.

Speaks.

Breathes.

It's unnerving.

I'm surrounded by corpses. Or I might as well be.

Ice-polar welcome. Ritualistic shunning.

A mundane task has turned into mutiny.

I understand. I'm usually the one doling out the hate, the negativity, the anger. Being a thorn in Pax's side was an honor. I was one of them.

But times have changed.

It's tough being on the other side of the table.

"I would," I swallow hard, "love some feedback." Chin down. Hands squeezed tight. "If you have any."

Silence meets my nervous plea.

Okay. So you're just going to ignore me?