Broken Worlds

Charpter 5: Determined or foolish?

Warning: this chapter may describe things that may make some uncomfortable, please skip if needed

Present day...

Elena opened her eyes to a world blurred by pain and confusion. The air was thick with the scent of herbs and something metallic that made her stomach churn. The annoying ringing in her ears pulsed like a heartbeat, and as she tried to move, a wave of agony washed over her. She gasped, biting back a cry as she glanced down at her body, which was a tapestry of cuts, bruises, and swelling. The sight made her heart sink, and tears began to pool in her eyes, blurring her vision further. Her once white dress was now brown with gold stains from dirt and Fae blood.

"Easy there," a deep voice rumbled from the side, cutting through the haze of her pain. "You're free to leave anytime, just take the pain meds with you."

Elena turned her head slowly, wincing at the movement. The source of the voice was a fairy, his features sharp and striking, with tiger-like stripes adorning his face. His eyes were a piercing green, sharp as a hawk's, and his black claws glinted under the soft light of the room. He rested his hand thoughtfully on his forehead, as if trying to decipher the complexities of her situation.

"Careful now," he added, his tone shifting to one of concern as he noticed her flinch. "You don't want to open up those wounds."

Embarrassment flooded Elena's cheeks, and the tears she had been holding back spilled over, tracing paths down her bruised skin. "I'm not strong," she whispered, the words barely escaping her lips, laden with the weight of her failure.

The fairy regarded her with a mixture of sympathy and something akin to understanding. "Erm, listen kid," he began, his voice softening. "Everyone is not going to make it, and almost all of the time in life, there is always going to be someone stronger. But strength isn't just about muscles or magic. It's about resilience, the will to keep fighting even when the odds are against you."

Elena felt a flicker of defiance ignite within her. "But I lost. I failed in front of everyone. I wanted to prove myself, to be strong like my father, and I couldn't," she paused, her voice thick with emotion.

The fairy leaned closer, his expression serious. "You think failure defines you? It's a part of the journey, not the end of it. You're not the first to fall, and you won't be the last." "Many within these walls won't be WALKING out of this building" he emphasizes.

Elena wiped her tears with the back of her hand, her heart racing with a mixture of anger and bitterness. "But how? How can I be strong after this? After being humiliated?"

The fairy studied her for a moment, and she could see the empathy in his eyes. "Strength comes from within, from understanding your fears and confronting them. You have to know your weaknesses, learn from them, and use them to fuel your growth. That's what I would tell my kid anyway."

He stood up, towering over her with an imposing presence, yet there was a gentleness in his demeanor. "You take care."

Elena felt a spark of hope ignite in her chest, battling against the shadows of self-doubt that had settled there. She attempted a smile through the pain in her face.

The fairy nodded, his expression unwavering.

Elena took a deep breath, the weight of her situation pressing down on her. He left the room, leaving Elena alone.

What should I do? She thought.

I want to run home to mommy of course, she looked at her bag.

As Elena shifted to sit up, the pain coursed through her, but she gritted her teeth and pushed through it.