Eight of Swords

They told her that if she worked hard and got good grades that she could have what she wanted. That if she built a better mouse trap. That if she got up early and stayed up late. If she wore makeup. That if she stood up for herself. That if she kept quiet. The words kept her safe for a time. Until she came to fear nothing more than what they would say to her. The truth too big to be contained in words.