The Memories of Lena Hughs

2

I am painting a seascape. I paint the sunlight as it catches the waves. I suddenly notice how dark it's getting. I walk to the glass doors and draw the curtains. The moon is bright, illuminating everything below it. It's almost to its peak. I open the doors and I sit on the edge of the railing. I swing my legs as I stare up at the full moon overhead. I sit like that for a while, admiring its ability to be so intoxicatingly loathsome and so treacherously alluring at the same time. I can begin to hear the screams of the wolves in the catacombs.

"Amora," I whisper with a flick of my wrist just to make sure my door is locked. I can feel the flashes, the memories, trying to work their way into my mind. I look up just in time to see the moon hit its peak. I see my father teaching me to paint. I see the bracelet my mother used to dampen my powers. I see the bonfire at the family reunion when I was 10. I see the family picture my Aunt Alura took but threw in fire right after for my safety. I see my mother, telling me she will return from her trip. I see my father sacrificing himself to kill his greatest enemy. I see my Aunt Emile telling me my mother won't be returning. I feel a tear run down my cheek. My knuckles are white from gripping the railing. My legs have stopped swinging. The memories rewind. They start again. I see my father first. I am fighting one of his enemies' allies. I shoot a bust of magic in his direction but I miss. He grabs my arm and twists me around. He holds a knife to my throat as I watch my father fight.

"Lena!" He screams. He begins to run towards me but his enemy, Anouk Shival, throws him against the wall. He clamps his hand around my fathers throat. In return my father clamps his hands around Shival's throat. He gives me one last look, and then He throws himself into the flames along with Shival.

"NOO!!" I scream. Tears stream down my face as I watch the moon descend.