Strings of Fate

Strings of Fate

218- Mistreatment and monsters

My first instinct is to argue, to insist that there isn’t anything and that she’s being silly. But somehow I don’t think that will help. I mean, if she told me she was murdering puppies in her free time and that she had a detailed and realistic plan for world domination? Okay, that might give me pause. I probably would send her away to get help or something. I mean, I wouldn’t abandon her, but saying never… that isn’t going to help.

“Okay, well why don’t you tell me what’s bothering you and we can figure it out. I promise to listen and do my best not to judge. Maybe a different perspective will help.” I suggest. Kiara struggles with my words for a minute. I can tell she’s thinking about it and I wait patiently for her to sort through her thoughts. Eventually I see a sad sort of acceptance cross her face and I know she’s made a decision. She takes a deep breath and it comes out shaky.

“The people who died. All the ones the scary ladies killed… it’s my fault.” she whispers the words, like if she says them quietly enough they won’t count. I’m a bit confused.

“We already know they forced you to use your extra magic to identify people who weren’t meant to die. That’s not your fault.” I assure her. Kiara rolls so her back is to me and buries

her face in the blanket.

“That’s not why it’s my fault!” She squeaks out the words. I tug the blanket away to uncover her head and stroke her hair gently. I still can’t see her face.

“Tell me what happened then. Tell me everything that happened. Then I can tell you honestly if I think you did anything wrong.” I instruct her. I say it firmly. I know we’ve been being careful and gentle with her, and I don’t want to change that. But if she is blaming herself for multiple murders… that’s something that we need to sort out. I can’t leave her to deal with that kind of guilt. I already feel awful just for my part in all of this. Kiara is quiet for a minute, then she rolls over towards me and lays her head on my lap with her arms tight around my waist. She clings to me as she begins to speak in a small voice.

“The first time they took me I didn’t know why they wanted me to pick someone. I thought maybe they wanted to study them or they were just testing my magic. My parents always said it was extra special, that no one else can do what I can do and that people might want to take advantage of that. But they already knew, sort of. They thought I could see who people are meant to fall in love with. I told them they were wrong. I didn’t mean to tell them everything.

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and monsters

I didn’t know what else to

threatening you it’s usually best to give them what they want. You’re alive so you did well.” I tell her but she shakes her

we went to the first lady’s

hid. They made me

all did. They were all nice and worried. But as soon as the door was open the scary ladies would go inside and they would do magic and stuff and trap the nice ones.” She admits.

that’s

but hardly her fault. Surely that can’t be it. Sure enough, Kiara continues her

don’t know how they knew. But they knew I’m a Reaper. That daddy is- was one too. They… they told me to use my magic. To… to kill the lady while they kept her trapped with

the Witch lady stopped her. Said

that if I didn’t kill the woman that she would

was going to die no matter what, but

the Witch lady did a spell and the nice woman started crying and screaming. When she stopped they told me again that I needed to kill her.

lady told me to do it. She said it was okay and that I needed to keep myself safe. She said she would rather die quickly if she had to die. I tried to argue but they were going to keep hurting her and they made me. So I…

not to, I tried to argue but they reminded me what they did the first time and I did what I was told. I tried to think of ways

one made me do that. I just knew she was going to hurt all of us, she wanted you to die and I couldn’t let her. So I grabbed her ankle and

bawling into my lap and I take the chance to compose myself. I am FURIOUS. They made KIARA commit the murders? Obviously it’s not her fault. They gave her an impossible choice and of course, being the sweetheart she is, she tried to pick the option that would cause the least pain. I know we already suspected that she killed Jenna Warrens. Dr Dae suggested as much. But it hadn’t occurred to me that they forced her to take

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