262 INCOMPETENCE

“You incompetent fool!” Mrs. Nurftl yelled as she raised her hand and brought it down on Shiva’s face. “Why can't you do anything right?” She questioned. Shiva looked up at her with tears in her eyes as she wondered what it was that she did to have warranted her mother getting so angry in the morning. She had been resting in her room, thinking about everything and nothing — wondering when her suffering would end and considering ending it herself. She had been told her mother wanted to see her which was odd because she never saw her except they were going somewhere important. When she tried to dress and get ready, she was told not to because they weren't going anywhere. I should have known it wasn't anything good. But no matter how hard she thought, she couldn't think of a reason as to why her mother would suddenly start insulting her. “What is it this time, mum?” She questioned, forgetting to watch her tone. “What is it this time?” Mrs. Nurftl scoffed as she stalked toward