Chapter 123. Not Afraid of What I Am

Athena

Understanding starts to dawn on me like the sun rising after the longest night of my life. 

This little girl, this scared, lonely child, is the power. She's the source of everything that's been happening, and she's been trapped in this dark place for years.

Probably since the first time they called her evil. Since the first time the power manifested and everyone around her reacted with fear and horror.

No wonder she's been lashing out. No wonder she's been taking instead of giving. 

She's been alone in this darkness for years, with no one to talk to, no one to explain things to her, no one to show her how to do anything but hurt people.

"I'm sorry you've been alone," I tell her, and I mean it with every fiber of my being. "I'm sorry no one ever tried to understand you."

She looks at me with surprise, like she can't believe someone is talking to her with kindness instead of fear. Like she's forgotten what kin