TW: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS SCENES THAT MAY BE TRIGGERING OR CAUSE DISCOMFORT FOR SOME READERS. THIS CONTENT INCLUDES BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO: PANIC ATTACKS, VOMITING, VIVID IMAGERY OF GORE (INCLUDING BLOOD) AND HINTS AT MURDER.
READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
Please enjoy the chapter <3
IV
MARIANA
Breakfast had dragged on far longer than Mariana wanted it to.
The clanking of plates and forks being slid into the dishwasher filled up the empty space, leaving Mariana content in her silence.
Jules and Diana remained at the table for a while longer, both staring into her soul until they were shooed off to school.
School, Mariana thought to herself. She had moved into the living room, sitting on a plush chair and staring out the window.
She never thought she would be sad about not being able to go to school but as she watched Jules and Diana slink into the car, she felt her chest ache.
She knew that it wasn't just the idea of not being able to go to school, but everything that school entailed. She wouldn't be able to help people with their math homework questions or laugh at some stupid joke someone had muttered under their breath.
She was never going to feel the satisfaction of sinking into the couch after a long day of learning, catching up on well-deserved rest before her parents came home.
Mariana paused, the sound of her parents' sorrowful screams echoing through her mind.
"Don't torture yourself with thoughts of what you're missing out on," a sympathetic voice interrupted. "You'll be able to go back eventually."
Mariana glanced up at Lena's reassuring smile. She didn't respond, instead, she returned to her quiet study of the outside world.
A sigh emitted from the woman behind her as she sunk into the large couch beside Mariana's chair. She didn't attempt to make conversation as Mariana spaced out, barely paying attention to the few cars that passed the house.
Lena's presence was comfortable as they sat together in the living room. She had taken up knitting while Mariana had been spaced out but she knew that the older woman was always ready to listen.
"What happens now?" Mariana whispered, her stare, now turned to face the rest of the living room, was still far away and unfocused.
Lena paused her knitting needles, her eyebrows furrowing in thought. She took her time answering, opening her mouth for a second before heaving a sigh.
"We wait," she replied, shrugging with a tired smile. "We teach you what we can and then," she stared at her fingers, still holding the thin needles, "I guess we'll see what happens then."
Lena had never seemed like an uncertain person to Mariana. Even though she barely knew her, Mariana had picked up on how everyone in the house had always looked to Lena.
What makes her so uncertain about me? Mariana questioned thoughtfully, studying Lena's hands as they swiftly worked.
"What are we waiting for?" Mariana asked, her eyes flicking up to Lena's face to gauge her reaction.
"You." Lena didn't stop this time, her face set with concentration.
"Ah, right," Mariana whispered. "Powers."
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