Catharsis II: An Army of Words (AUDITIONS)

Applicant #49: Peace At Last

"Is this worth it?" Selena asked Maria. They were sitting in front of each other while their eyes were engaged in what seemed to be an endless tussle.

Maria raised an eyebrow, a frown was etched on her forehead. "What isn't worth it, Selena?" Her voice was sharp. It hinted sarcasm and anger. When Selena kept her mouth closed, Maria continued, "Let me rephrase the question. Was being raped by your own father worth it? Are you enjoying the situation your mother had put you in when she left and abandoned you? Did you enjoy being a hotbed of bullying? Was being used by your cheating boyfriend almost every night worth it?"

Selena had no answer to that. Instead, she felt a lump formed in her throat, and her tears threatened to fall. Her mind was a million fragments of shattered thoughts. It cut deep through her.

Maria's tears were hot on her face. She pitied her best and only friend. She felt helpless for Selena. "This is for the greater good."

"How can killing someone be for the greater good?" Selena quipped, her voice rising an octave. "It's a sin."

"And you're a curse," Maria responded. It was immediate, and she saw hurt crossed Selena's face. But her best friend had to face the truth. "It makes no difference."

Selena fell silent once again. She couldn't argue with Maria this time. She knew she'd lose the argument. She loathed the idea of losing. But, maybe, Maria was right. Sometimes someone should lose herself first to be found by others. Plus, she'd had enough of this life already.

Selena saw Maria dab a hand on her face, and unceremoniously she found herself doing the same thing. "I'm tired," she said in a defeated voice.

The air went dead for a moment. Nobody spoke. Maria knew how tired her best friend was. She could feel it within her. She wanted to hug Selena but she couldn't bring herself to do so. She knew the gravity of the situation Selena was in. "I know you are," she whispered, "believe me, I know how tired you are. You are tired from constantly being rejected by this world."

Selena's body went rigid. Her tears were unstoppable.

"You are tired of your father who mistreated and used you every time he is drunk," Maria continued. "You are tired being left alone on a corner because no one accepts you for who you are. No friends, just people who think your existence is a mistake. They misjudged you. You are tired being the center of their entertainment. Tired getting laughed at. You are bullied. You are tired that this world offers you nothing but pain and sufferings. You need to rest."

Maria offered Selena a small bottle of medicine. Selena took it and put a handful on her palm. "We need to rest," she affirmed.

On the 7th day of July, Maria Selena Flores was found dead in front of her mirror, smiling and at peace.