Avalyn seethed as she moved toward the marshes one stilted step at a time. Those damn heels her mother had all but forced her into rendered her determined steps unnatural and clumsy, infuriating her further as her feet pounded down on the narrow cement walkway. The sky bore a thick grey cast of monochrome cloud cover that protected her from what would have been yet another searing Alabama day. Thanks to an unexpected morning downpour, the air was crisp on Avalyn's skin as she moved through the thick loamy haze that floated lazily over the drenched meadow floor. _At least I won't be hot and thirsty, _she thought_. I can just stay out here until all the fuss is over. _

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Her mother would no doubt be waiting up for her when she returned, but at least she wouldn't have to sit through yet another day of pretending and empty social encounters. Avalyn slowed her pace as she gazed ahead where the smooth walkway yielded to the wild uneven landscape, breaking off into jagged slabs before disappearing entirely into the soft earth. She had been in such a fury when she stormed out of the house that she hadn't considered how her current attire might fare in this environment. Finally, Avalyn **was forced to a stop after thirty minutes of practically running, brows furrowing as the path's end reached her. Her breaths came in shallow pants as she stood there, at the edge of civilization. **

****

**The sudden stillness allowed the piercing ache in her feet to finally register. A grimace twisted into her face as she considered her options while the pain intensified. Avalyn bent forward, testing **the softness of the pete and waterlogged soil beneath through the sole of her shoe. It gave instantly to the pressure and she knew one full weighted step onto this turrain would yield nothing but a brief squelch and ruined shoes that she would pay dearly for upon her homecoming. _Turn back, ruin these stupid shoes, or go barefoot? _Avalyn bit her lip as she considered. She had absolutely no intention of returning before sunset and she didn't want to incite further reprimand from her mother, so that left one option, go barefoot.

Avalyn bent down, working to keep her balance as she fumbled with the tiny buckles at her war torn ankles. She hissed in pain and relief as the straps released from her right foot and she slowly freed it from its domestic obligation. Her left foot was similarly sensitive as she repeated the act, but they both soon calmed with the help of the cool morning air and damp chill radiating from the pebbled pavement beneath. Hot tears pooled in her eyes as the pain dissipated, leaving room for the rest of her in its wake. A fist of anger rose again in her chest as those tears made their way down forked rivulets and pooled at her jawline.

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_This isn't fair, _she thought, wiping at her cheeks as she stared into the tree-studded horizon. _I'm not a doll and I'm not a puppet she can bring out whenever she feels like it. _Her_ _mother's efforts to make Avalyn into a lady skyrocketed over the last year after Helena, Avalyn's older sister by three years, had been successfully married off to John Bloodworth, the mayor's son. The last six months had been particularly grueling with countless parties and church socials that Avalyn, as the preacher's becoming daughter, was expected to cohost with impeccable grace. But Avalyn was not graceful... Or beautiful... Or charming. Those were Helena's talents. Avalyn was curious and contrarian and stubborn and that was just how she was no matter how much powdering or instruction her mother heaved upon her.

She looked down at the broken grey pavement. Water had pooled between the jagged slabs and Avalyn made out her reflection in an undisturbed puddle, cringing internally at her appearance. Her mother had insisted on the hideous tea dress. A ridiculous itchy frock that was brought in at the waist to contrast the flow of the skirt beneath. It was white with an endless entanglement of pastel flowers and vines embroidered throughout the unnervingly hot polyester fabric. Avalyn wanted to rip it off then and there, but running around in her underwear would be a new level of rebellion that would almost certainly unlock an uncharted level of her mother's wrath that even Avalyn wasn't ready for. _Okay, not much to do about the dress, _she thought, and took her first barefoot step into the meadow.