Five hours later, Anna hadn't moved from her desk.
She munched on strawberry after strawberry, ignoring the dull ache that spread throughout her stomach.
In her head, her thoughts blared as if passed through a sound amplifier.
Hurt people.
Use my spores to hurt people.
Not Leon. Not the soldiers. Ordinary citizens.
"How long will you sit there?" AI Orchid asked, annoyance lacing every word.
Anna ignored her. Just as she'd done for the past five hours.
This is all my fault. I shouldn't have asked for a guidebook! I shouldn't have asked for anything at all!
"Can't you change the task?!" Anna rounded on AI Orchid, her juice slicked hands clasped together in a plea. "I can't hurt people! You know I can't do it!"
The look on AI Orchid's face was acidic enough to curdle milk. "Would you rather carry out the task here, in the palace?"
Anna shook her head wildly. "No! That's…I don't want to do it! Can't you change it?!"
