PHOEBE
Her expression altered in an instant, a look of horror crossing her features. It was unimaginable. It was despicable. Anger and sorrow welled up in her simultaneously, and it was on pure instinct alone that she reached out to take his hand, squeezing it gently if he did not immediately pull it away. Such a human gesture, Frey had once called it, but Loren was human, and the tiny gesture of support might hold more weight with him. ”I’m sorry you had to endure that.” she said softly, though her words were colored with the disdain for the reality he was painting. It was so against her nature and what she tried to be that it conflicted with her very soul. ”But their measure of strength isn’t the only measure.” she added softly.
”Of course they would. Zariah is their mother.” she said. It wasn’t even a question. ”But you can be the proof that there is more than one way…and eventually, when they are grown, they might choose to stray from her cruelty.” she said. The things that children did did not necessarily define what their lives would be for good, just for the moment. ”Isn’t that a goal worth striving for? To be a different option for them? One you feel is better?”
”Yes. Should. I know better than most.” she said, looking at the ground. ”But that is why I have put so much effort into fortifying the College. I have to try. At least then there is a chance.”
”Of course they would. Zariah is their mother.” she said. It wasn’t even a question. ”But you can be the proof that there is more than one way…and eventually, when they are grown, they might choose to stray from her cruelty.” she said. The things that children did did not necessarily define what their lives would be for good, just for the moment. ”Isn’t that a goal worth striving for? To be a different option for them? One you feel is better?”
”Yes. Should. I know better than most.” she said, looking at the ground. ”But that is why I have put so much effort into fortifying the College. I have to try. At least then there is a chance.”
When the static clears
And all is said and done
I will realize that we all need someone
