Shane Branston High Series

*Content Warning: Suggestive terms may be triggering for some readers. Violence is depicted in this chapter.*

Had I been a normal child, I would have hesitated. I would have felt guilty, sad, and maybe pity for the man in front of me but I didn’t. The warm glow from the full moon lit up the dark room. The rays caressed my cheek, squeezed my arm, and wrapped around me. I closed my eyes as they held me like a blanket and promised me that everything would be okay. It was as if she were whispering to me, telling me she was here with me. As if confirming that I was making the right choice. It felt as if the moon agreed with my choice. I was comforted with the knowledge that there was nothing wrong with what I was about to do.

She told me there was nothing wrong with what I was doing, that there was nothing wrong with what I was about to do. If anything, she urged me forward. I lifted my chin and smiled at her, the Moon, not the Goddess that left me here by myself. Not the Goddess that did nothing to help me all those times I prayed to her. Not the Goddess that left me alone when I needed her most. No, it was to the moon that I looked, it was the moon that I worshiped.

The Moon had always been with me. She was always there, always watching, and I was never alone. I nodded as if answering her. I dipped my chin, lowering my gaze to the man on his knees in front of me. Still unaware of the situation he’s found himself in, he glared up at me. I’ll rectify that soon. Our roles have been reversed and I revel in it. Standing above him, it feels so good to be the one staring down at him. The days of being at his mercy were behind me, no longer will I fear him.

Today, things were changing. I promised myself that I would never be put into that position ever again. I picked up the Wolfsbane-soaked dagger. His eyes widened and plea after pathetic plea fell from his lying tongue, but they fell on deaf ears. I stood above him, letting him think he had a chance of persuading me.