A Hymn of Snakes

NINETEEN

My dreams are haunted by the ghosts, this time Alma looked down at me- her darkened eyes drilling into my chest. "I'm sorry." I said first, the corpse didn't move as I tried to look away from her gaze. My body frozen as I said again, "I'm promise I'm going to help you all." Tears welting around my cheeks as I tried to hold them in. Behind the ghost of the witch were skeletons of those who had all died thanks to the Keepers and I's hand.

Then grandmother stood before me, her warm smile inviting me in. "Hello Delia." She said as my posture fixed, she could see her eyes were clear. "Yes, I'm dead but I'm at peace with my daughter, who seems to want to tell you hello." She finished off. "You still wear my necklace I see." The grandmother came closer and I opened my arms to her, her hands on my shoulders as she took me into a hug.

Her comfort rolling over my body in its rightful place, "I never take it off, why would I?" I asked knowing she took me under her wing after an couldn't save her daughter, guilt never swallowed me up more. Clarice was used to turn Nelo into a Lost and therefore became a martyr.

"Have you been well?" The grandmother asked as she pulled away from me, wiping the tears that fell down my face.

She already knew it all, so instead of lying I eased my worries onto her. "I'm in between a war I cannot stop." My voice cracked under the pressure, knowing in this space Ithe wouldn't be able to touch me. My demonic shadow would carry her peace else where, because right now my dreams belonged to me. "It's like the entire world against the witches." I explained, knowing no matter what I did they would always be the enemy just like I was.

The grandmother nodded, at least she didn't lose her life to the Vampires or the Keepers- at least I was able to protect this one person I thought. That meant more to me than protecting the Vampires at the Palace, it softened my sickly heart. "There was a time where we were celebrated but man fears the things they cannot control. I see your shadow has given itself a name." Her voice wasn't angry or disappointed, she just smiled at me. The woman did all in her power to show she was proud of me.

"She turns me into someone I'm not." I stated.

Then the question arose in the air, "Have you lost yourself yet?" I didn't know. Ithe had taken over several times and from the times I've notice she's only done things that have benefitted me.

The shadow does what she can to help me. "No."

I must have been right because the grandmother nodded in agreement, she crossed her hands over my body as she backed a foot away to give me space. In death she looked like the best version of herself, she was in a younger state but you could tell by the look in her eyes that she was still the same grandmother, "Then maybe she makes you the person you need to be." She croaked at me but I didn't understand.

"Ruthless and bloody?" I wondered.

I used to be a different person and it's clear now there are people who don't like the new me, I don't think I'll ever be the old Delia. Still, the grandmother treated me all the same with every right of kindness, "Every soul has its reason, some chose a motherly life while others chose the life of playing the villain. You just have to decide who you are and Delia that is all your decision. The Vampires claim they need your help but you're starting to wonder who is truly the hero of your story, because those you first thought were kind have turned out to change. You have all the information you need, you just need to do where your heart is leading you." She read straight through me, I knew I should have spoken to her the second I began having doubts.

I had an idea of what I needed to do but it would take years to get it done, my lips formed a thin line of doubt. "I want to protect the witches, I have the power to do it. I need too." I explained.