Queen of Hearts

stigma

Mercy knocked on Imanis office. 

she needed her support if she was ever gonna be able to do this, she needed her to encourage mercy, that she was doing what was right. 

for the longest time mercy never doubted what she did. death was her job, she killed people for a living. it didnt affect her, she didnt have to see the ending-credits of someones life. she shot them, walked away, and heard about it on the news. but this time, she couldnt run from the aftermath. for the first time, the idea that she had killed someone with a life, with people of their own to go to, peeked through the iron curtain of her mind. 

Mercy had been taught from a young age that 'people' were just potential jobs. potential sources of income or power. at the nice age of 8 years old she had completed her first job. she didnt flinch, she didnt cry, she didnt waver. 

it wasnt fun having this feeling in her chest. what was it? like she was suffocating, like someone was squeezing her heart and yelling at her to feel sorry. but she couldnt feel sorry. she didnt feel sorry. no matter how badly she wanted to. even for almost getting her team killed. 

what was wrong with her? 

was she selfish? this world had taken everything from her. it demanded every ounce of her soul and bravery. she was asking for peace. was she being selfish for asking for peace? was it selfish to sacrifice a world that had spat on her and chewed her up? was it selfish to make a decision that might fail?

no. she couldnt think like that. this wouldnt fail, it couldnt fail. she would call on athena one last time. she would find the other pages of the book, she would find the ingredients, and she would transfer this power onto someone who really wants it. she would change her fate so she could be normal. be human. 

she wasnt selfish. she couldnt be selfish. 

the door in front of her opened up, and Imani stood in front of her, pausing when she noticed it was merely mercy, and stopped adjusting her beige hijab. 

"come in." she said, noting the solem look on mercys face. 

Mercy walked inside, as Imani cast her scarf onto the bed. she sat down, scratching her hair and looking at mercy with concern. Crow was in the bathroom, she walke out in her sports bra, impressive muscles flexing as she crossed her arms. 

"what happened?" Imani asked. 

mercy took a deep breath and explained. Imanis eyes widened with every word Mercy said, even crow let her toothbrush slip from her mouth as she gawked at Mercy. Mercy left out the parts about her dieing in four weeks, the news hadnt sunk in yet, how oculd she die in such a short time, she was doing fine!

a spark flew off her arm and a flame sputtered on one finger. 

she detailed odysseuss this morning, how angry he was with Mercy, she told them about the odd feeling in her chest. everyhting she felt. and then finally, her plan. 

"you want... to transfer the spark to someone else?" Imani asked. 

Crow walked into the bathroom and spat out the remaining toothpaste, then washed her mouth out and came back, taking a seat beside her wife. 

"yes. if its not in me, then i wont be the one meant to save this world." Mercy said. 

"thats not how that works." Imani said. 

Mercys heart sank. she needed her support. not Imanis doubt. Imani fixed her with a strict look. 

"you understand the power you hold right? you understand what it is?" Imani asked.