TERRA: Age Of Terror

~3~

.ATHENA.

~Acies~

"Bananas here, Apples there, Coffee on paper...." I stop abruptly. Oh no.... I lay my palm on my head. "Perfect! Now there's coffee on all my scripts, just peachy." I say loudly and Cartia giggles in her high chair. "You think it's funny don't you baby girl?" She giggles again, with more glee than before. I smile and turn back to my wet notes and lay them out to dry. I sigh deeply as I look at them.

"No turning back now Athena." I say lowly to myself. "It's about time you tell your subscribers your story". I look over at Cartia focusing very deeply on the bananas in her plate and smile. "Our story."

"Mama!" Cartia shrills

"Yes baby?"

"Ayana!"

"Yes! Banana!"

"Ayana for Catty?"

"Yup! Now eat 'em up" "No mama! I done!" she says picking up her empty plate.

"Oh! Good girl!" I say pinching her chubby cheeks. I pick her up, clean her and put her on the floor surrounded by her toys. As I clean, I try to completely ready myself emotionally for the YouTube video. "Three years is a long time, and you have Cartia. You should be over this." I chastise myself. Sighing I remember the words Senna told me days ago;

"It's fine to be sad, Atty. If ten years after, you're not completely over it, that's fine! Stop expecting yourself to heal overnight. It could take decades and that's completely fine!" The princess had said while hugging me closely.

It's fine to be sad. I look at the stained notes on the kitchen counter and pick them up. Walking into the living room, I sit down and stare at my daughter as she plays in her small play area, I finally allow myself to be completely engulfed by my plaguing memories.

""""

3 years ago

Moving out of my window as slowly I could, I jumped to the ground and smiled as I landed on my feet. This was too easy. I walked down the road and jumped into the car parked just a few houses down.

"Girl you fine!" My friend, Rosa smiled at me as I entered. She tossed me a cigarette and a lighter.

"Please, you don't even have to try!" I told her thinking about how I had always envied her olive skin and jet black hair. She put her hand on the wheel, started the car and looked at me. "Are you ready for the best party of your life?!" She shouted in true Rosa fashion. "Duh!" I said my smile growing even wider.

We drove to the party, and I could understand what Rosa meant. The house had been set up club-style and it was definitely the biggest party I had ever gone too. "Whoa girl, how did you ever get invited to this thing?" I asked her quietly.

"Okay, I'll tell you but you have to promise not to tell anyone!" I was a bit confused, and a little bit scared Rosa had done something stupid. "Okay..." I said hesitantly.

She pulled up her sleeve and showed me her tattoo. I froze staring at the emblem and the words "Lex et Ordo" written spread over it. "You joined the rebellion? You pledged allegiance to Lex Imperium?"

"Yes, I did. I brought you here to show that the way they think... it makes a lot of sense. I know you're open-minded, and I know you'll understand, if you will listen. There's a speech at 1am by one of the rebellion leaders."

"Wait, so the party is just filled with rebellion members?" "And some open minded people." She said and winked.

"Trust me!" She said holding my hand. Aren't you tired of the stupid Aciest rules and how we're all expected to be classy and perfect?" She said, and that hit me. Yes! I'm tired of my parents and this dumb kingdom! "You know what, you're right. Let's go in and have fun!"