selenagraves

[selenagraves]

The Experiences of Selena Graves; Age 27

Selena fell to her knees when the golem smashed her chest in. She had never coughed up blood before - not like this. Her ears still rang from Tobias' final explosion. The dusty ground shifted and Selena found herself on hands and knees.

Somewhere, Rab was being pummeled by a Golem. It went quiet. Selena repressed an hideous grin. In the rubble next to her, Garnet let out a ragged breath. All four of them were going after Hriega now. Shit. There was a way out, a way to help. Only one.

Selena let go. It was like unclenching a muscle she had always flexed. It was like letting go at the precipice of an endless yearning chasm. Selena fell, and screamed. The red smoke enveloped her. Her scales itched. A serpent coiled around her ankle, another at her throat.

She stood, dashed, and swung at the golem nearest Hriega. The stone flesh shattered under her fist. Her snakes constricted at the golem's neck. Hissing, Selena dragged it back from Hriega.

Her mind was forced back to the image of Rab's crumpled, shattered body. A manic laugh forced itself out of Selena's mouth. They kept coming. Selena might have noticed the barkeep entering the pit, had she not been on the ground laughing. As soon as the fit started, it was over. And then Selena hit the floor of the chasm.

Oh fuck. Fuck. Fuck. FUCK.

Selena pushed herself to her feet. The party was stirring. In a rush of smoke, she dashed out of the pit.

████ help ████ HELP

Child - calm yourself

She ran. Empty, dark doorways flashed by. A snake coiled past her face. Her heart stopped, then raced, and stopped again. It felt like her hands would fall off.

I am trying...I never wanted this to happen again

I know love - take a deep breath

She tried, it forced itself out in a choke.

Let me take control, I can get us to safety.

Ok, ████

And she remembered no more.

[selenagraves]

Diary of Selena Graves; Age 7

March 2, 0024 Father is having another party and he says I must go. Mistress Ward made me practice all day. Why doesn't Alison have to practice? I wanted to read my books.

March 4, 0024 Mistress Ward came back. She made me to talk to people again. I am tired and going to bed.

March 5, 0024 The party was tonight. Miss Damon was going to let me wear the blue dress and the loud shoes but Mother saw and said no. Marcus made the little sweets I like, I ate a whole plate before Miss Damon made me stop. Father told me I should talk to the guests, which was fun but now I am tired.

April 15, 0024 Father has Mistress Ward training me again. She has me talk to people. Today she made me convince the gardener to pluck all the flowers from a bush. ████ ████ ████ ███ █████ ██████ ██ ███████ ██████ ████ ████ ███. She also wanted me to get Marcus to throw away the food he was making, but I didn't want to. She was mad. Alison yelled at her. I didn't like it.

April 19, 0024 I hid in the garden all day, ████ told me more of his stories. I heard everyone looking for us but am too good at hiding. ████ told me I could probably learn some more magic. But it isn't really magic he says. Father found us in the garden. He was very cross and everyone was scared. He had Miss Damon take away my books.