Fragment of Destiny

Tess entered her shabby hut after another hard day’s work. Despite urgings from many she had decided to reside in her original dwelling since the founding of New Central. The heavy cloth flap swung shut behind her, but she could still feel the presence of the people who waited outside to see her. She could feel their desire and their desperation. She had healed so many these past few months, yet still, others came asking to be healed.

There were no more sick or wounded in New Central; only those looking for the euphoric high that came with being healed. After all, they had been through, she really didn’t blame them. Instead, she reserved her ire for Samuel. He was the one who had turned her into a spectacle.

At the outset, she had gone along with Samuel’s plan to set her up as a hero. It had been a way to ease the mounting tension between the enforcers and the raiden’s den faction. Looking back, she did not know what else she could have done to prevent conflict from breaking out. So, in the end, she had let herself be turned into a goddess for the people. She had saved them from complete annihilation, and it was the people’s reverence for her regardless of faction that had held things together.

So she would not be angry with the people when they stalked her in the streets hanging on her every word and action. It was when they entered her home, her sanctuary, that she became angry and the thirst for violence bubbled closest to the surface.

Tess turned a wicked glare to a hooded figure who was seated on a mat at the far end of the hut. Whoever they were, they radiated amusement at her anger. If they knew what lurked under the surface, they would not find it so amusing. She took two threatening steps towards the figure then stopped. Placing hands on her hips, she worked her jaw biting back the explicative that rested on the tip of her tongue.

“I told you not to come in here like this anymore,” Tess said her tone far less harsh than she wanted it to be.

“You know for a goddess you work yourself too hard.” The hooded figure said. “And I can’t believe you still live in a place with no electricity. With the wind farm and the lightning capture station, we have more than enough to go around these days.”

“What do you want Demetrius?” Tess asked attempting to sound threatening.

“I wanted to ask you one last time to stay,” Demetrius said, causing Tess to look away.

“You know I can’t do that.”

“You could. You don’t have to go. And we need you here. Tess you know we need you.”

“Look, I have made up my mind on this. Corwin and I have unfinished business.”

“Is this about what happened to your mother?”

“It’s about putting an end to him for good.”

“Where are you even going to go? You don’t have any leads. He vanished without a trace.”

“I have information that says otherwise.”

“So you do have a lead?” Demetrius asked narrowing his eyes. “From who, Larry?”

“A wraith was spotted in shale. If Corwin is there, I am going to kill him.”

“Tess, please. He is no threat to us anymore. Think about the people. What would your father say if he knew?”

“He does not need to know, and besides I know what he would say. He would tell me to find the bastard that killed my mother and avenge her.”

“So that’s it then? You are just going to turn your back on your people, on your duty.”

“I am not your puppet Demetrius, and I am no one’s goddess. I have made my decision, now unless you plan on apologizing for sneaking in here, you can leave.”

Demetrius bit his lip as he passed, a sickening sadness permeated the air dousing her anger with ice. Why couldn’t he just let her go?

“You know, ever since the day I first met you. You have always been a goddess to me.” He said, then he was gone.

Tess just stared after him dumbfounded. How many years had she known Demetrius and never once had she suspected that he what, loved her? She felt an emptiness form in the pit of her stomach and she suppressed the urge to chase after him. No Demetrius, it’s better if I leave you because what you don’t realize is that your goddess is really a monster.

The End