I’mdead,
Mulanthought.
ThatiswhyIfeelsoterrible.I’vediedandI’mbeingeternallypunishedbecauseIdisobeyedmyfamily.
Mulanopenedhereyesandimmediatelyshutthemagain.Shewasn’tdead,butshealmostwishedshewere,becausethenmaybeshewouldn’tfeelsoawful.Herheadwaspoundingandhercheeksfeasthoughtheywereonfire.Shetriedtomoveanarmtocoverherfacefromtherelentlesssunabove,butherarmsfetooheavytolift.
Shestoppedmovingandsimplylayforamoment,yellingatherselfandthemonksformakingherfeehisway.SheshouldneverhavelistenedtoSkatch’s“advice.”Asmartwarriorwouldnotdrinkwine.Especiallyifthiswashowtheyfeafter.
Somethingpeckedhernose.“Ouch!”Mulanshouted,hereyessnappingopen.Tohersurprise—andannoyance—theuglybirdwasstaringdownather.Mulanfrownedwhensherealizedthebirdwasscowlingather,asthoughjudginghercurrentstate.
Sittingupquickly,Mulaninstantlyregrettedherchoice.Themovementmadeherheadpoundevenharder.Sheletoutamoan.Then,whenshecouldstomachit,shelookedaround,eagertotellSkatchandRamtishjustwhatshethoughtabouttheiradvice.
Herstomachheaved.