Bedeviling

 

Bedeviling

Bethany lives with a bully she can’t escape, constantly tormented at every turn.  There is only one way she can make it stop, but will it really end the bedeviling?

Excerpt:

     “Are there problems at home?” Andrews asked, staring pointedly at her bruised cheek.

     As she had spent the duration of the meeting sobbing in the bathroom, the concealer was long gone.  Despite his concern, it was clear he wasn’t pleased with her.

     “N-no, sir.”

     “If you need help…”

     “No, sir.  I-I fell.  That’s all.”

     “So there’s nothing going on to interfere with your work?”

     Twisting a soggy tissue in her hands, she evaded his probing eyes.  “N-no, sir.”

     Andrews leaned back in his chair, his brows drawing together even more when its sharp squeak made Bethany jump.  “You’re sure.”

     “Y-yes, sir.”

     Heaving a sigh, he said, “Then it appears I expected too much of you.  The question is, was it the last minute circumstances, or are you ill matched for the job?”

     More tears spilled.  “I-I don’t know, sir.”

     “That’s not very reassuring, Bethany,” he said with an edge.

     What could she say?  She had failed.  Miserably.  Just as her tormentor said she would.

Author’s Note:

This is one of those stories where I felt inspired to choose a name suitable to my character and the situation she found herself in.  According to some sources, the name Bethany means “house of affliction”.  I found this to be an appropriate choice for my unfortunate MC.