Selene squeaked loudly when Herbert moved away and exposed her to the cold air coming through his office window. She still couldn't imagine what Benjamin and Edith thought of her. She'd never lost control like that before.

Selene jerked when Herbert gently placed his warm hands on her shoulders. She hadn't realized how cold she was until he touched her.

"Remember what we talked about on our way, child?" Herbert asked.

Selene cleared her throat nervously. She threw a glance at Benjamin and Edith but looked away before she could see them properly.

"I'm still not sure I have it in me," Selene mumbled.

"You're a Telepather, child. Take charge and lead." Herbert said.

Selene nodded with her eyes downcast. Herbert smiled and patted her messy hair before he could stop himself. He was slightly mortified that he wasn't immune to the child's charms. He straighten his back and turned to leave when she suddenly grabbed the hem of his garment.

He only needed to take one look into her eyes to know exactly what she was thinking. There had been a time when he believed being clairvoyant was a sign of weakness. For Selene, it was one of her charms.

"All you have to do is call and I'll be there." He said.

"I...thank you. For everything." Selene smiled nervously.

"I'll leave you to it now," Herbert said. He nodded at Benjamin and Edith before he left.

The moment Herbert shut the door behind him, Selene shivered again. She felt inexplicably shy around her friends. She was suddenly intrigued by the cracks on the tiles and couldn't make herself look up to face them.

She opened and closed her mouth severally, cleared her throat, and shook her head but still couldn't bring herself to break the eery silence.

"I'm sorry. I swear I had this big speech planned out in my head when I told Herbert I needed to see you but I can't seem to remember anything." She said finally.

"If your big speech involves an apology then it's better this way."

The comment came from Benjamin. Selene looked up and immediately met his golden-eyed gaze. Unlike her, he'd managed to keep his expression blank.

"Don't apologize. You did nothing wrong." Benjamin said.

His words made her feel relieved and guilty at the same time. She tugged on her sleeves because she wasn't sure what she was supposed to do with her hands.

"Oh but I do. My behaviour so far has been anything but stellar. I'm surprised you haven't left yet." Selene said.

"Why would you say something like that?" Edith scowled.

"I'm saying it because it's true. First, I got Benjamin involved in that battle back at camp, then I dragged both of you into the shit that happened at aunt Tianna's and now we're here together with this huge mess." Selene said sadly.

"None of that was your fault. You didn't intentionally put us in danger and you saved our lives when Herbert tried to kill us." Edith argued.

"Only after I put you in danger in the first place. Besides, all of that was nullified in the cursed tower. I couldn't do anything to help. I just froze. I'm supposed to have this exquisite, rare power and I still don't know how to use it to protect either of you." Selene sighed as she tiredly rubbed her throbbing head.

"We haven't been able to help you much either," Edith said.

"You shouldn't have to. All of this is my mess and my destiny. You could go back to your normal lives and I wouldn't blame you. I haven't been a good friend to you, Edith. And Benjamin? I'm pretty sure if there was an award for the worst girlfriend and Synergy, I'd win it in a landslide victory." Selene said.

Edith threw a glance at Benjamin wondering why he wasn't trying to talk some sense into Selene rather than staring at her with blank, golden eyes. Benjamin threw a glance to Edith to subtly warn her to let him handle the situation.

"You're wrong, you know. It's not your destiny. It's mine. It's ours. It's our mess and our battle. You were never in this alone from the start. Yes, shit has hit the fan so many times and we've barely been able to escape with our lives but there's no place I'd rather be." Benjamin pushed his chair back so he could stand and face her.

Selene immediately looked away.

"I can't guarantee your safety. I can't even guarantee mine. You saw how I lost it in there. How can you be this confident even after all of that?" She asked.

"Herbert told us what happened and what you saw. Do you know what I wished when he mentioned all of that?" Benjamin asked.

Selene shook her head. He slowly approached her and tilted her head up so she'd be forced to look at him.

"I wished I could have been by your side to help. I wished I could have been there so you wouldn't have been alone with her. Selene, I never asked you to make promises or to protect me. I've never asked you to be the perfect girlfriend. I only want you to be yourself regardless of how messed up you think you are. I want to stay and fight by your side while we figure things out." He said quietly.

"But the risks..." Selene started to say.

"The benefits outweigh them. This is a pointless discussion. I'm not going to leave even if you ask. Rather than waste time on that, you should tell us why you're here." Benjamin said

Selene rubbed her neck as her eyes darted from Edith back to Benjamin. She wasn't sure who she was supposed to look at.

"I honestly don't know where to begin." She said finally.

"You can start by telling us what happened in the Valley of Remembrance. Did you get the clarity you needed?" Edith asked.

"No. If anything I'm more confused." The sad look in Selene's eyes was replaced by confusion. She had a slight furrow between her brows as she tried to gather her thoughts.

"Elaborate," Benjamin said.

"Sure I was able to see what happened in the cursed tower and how she got cursed. I even got to see my parents and how she attacked my mom because my dad liked her instead. But many things don't make sense." Selene said.

"Why do you think so?" Benjamin asked.

"Before this whole thing, I just thought Debbie was a crazy bitch. I mean, I still think she's a crazy bitch but there's more to the story than we know. When she trapped King to use his powers, her first intention wasn't to make my dad fall for her. She wanted to use him for revenge. But against who? As far as we know she only hated my mom and by then she didn't even know my dad liked my mom." Selene said thoughtfully.

She began to pace around the room as she gathered her thoughts.

"It's not just that. She was crazy long before that day. She became crazy after performing a spell from the Forbidden Books. She said the only reason she didn't get expelled was because something had put her in 'the old man's favour'." Selene said.

"That means she lost her mind long before Black Day," Edith said.

"Exactly. But what happened? Who hurt her? What did they do to her?" Selene paused.

She looked at Benjamin and Edith who were finally starting to come to the conclusion she'd made while speaking to Herbert.

"It's funny. When I spoke to Her Majesty, she was a textbook case of a villainess—cruel, crazy, and powerful. Just by looking at her, I could tell she was evil. She even wore the whole black veil thing to suit her case." Selene said.

"And that baffles you?" Benjamin asked.

"Yes. That's because I don't believe anyone is evil for the sake of being evil. I refuse to believe anyone would wake up and decide to do the things she's done. A villain is usually a victim of circumstance. She was insane, yes. But something drove her to that point." Selene said.

"I'm not sure I buy that narrative, Selene. Even with what you've said." Edith commented.

"I'm not just being optimistic. I'm certain I'm right. This whole mess didn't start because Isaac liked my mom. It didn't start because Debbie went into the cursed tower. It started because someone did something to Debbie. Someone hurt her and they covered it up. She said they cast a spell on her so she wouldn't be able to tell anyone." Selene said.

"That is possible. I mean, spells like that exist." Benjamin said thoughtfully.

"They broke her. She wanted the justice they'd stripped her of. She didn't want to be a victim. She wanted blood. I know what it feels like to be a victim. I know how powerless she must have felt knowing the people who hurt her were happy and living their lives without a care in the world." Selene said.

"You almost sound like you like her. Like you pity her. She killed your mom." Edith said.

"I don't like nor pity her. I know what she's taken away from me. I don't think I need anyone to remind me about what she's done. But Edith? I'm sure you remember what I said. I have to start from the beginning." Selene said.

"The beginning of what?" Edith asked.

"The beginning of this mess. To control a mind, you must first understand it. The story didn't begin on Valentine's Day. It started long before then. I need to understand Debbie. Once I understand her, I can defeat Her Majesty who is just a personality a 15-year-old victim developed to survive the pain she had been put through. Just like I developed the shy, timid version of myself to get over the fact that I couldn't protect my mother." Selene said.

"All of that makes sense. But how do you intend to do that? You can't go back into the Valley of Remembrance." Benjamin said.

"I know I can't go back alone. Herbert explained that I need a guide. Someone who was there when the whole thing happened." Selene nodded.

"We can't be sure who knows about what happened to Debbie. If they cast a spell on her, the only people who'd know about it would be those who hurt her. I'm pretty sure they'd all be dead by now. So how do you intend to go into the Valley?" Benjamin asked.

Selene smiled. She knew he'd easily figure out her intentions to return to the Valley of Remembrance. He was smart enough to deduce that.

"When my physical body died and my spirit was lingering, someone spoke to me. I couldn't hear her because I returned before she could really reach me. The second time my spirit was summoned, I heard her." Selene said.

"She was able to enter your mind? A Telepather?" Benjamin raised his eyebrows.

"My mind was weak. Herbert explained it wasn't the first time something like that had happened. Someone did it recently. They entered a Telepather's dreams and told the person about me. That's how Herbert knew I existed before he met me." Selene said.

"Hmm. I remember Tianna and I spoke about this when we wanted to help you. She said someone else had penetrated the dreams of the Brethren." Benjamin said.

"The woman had been trying to help. She spoke to me. She was desperate." Selene said.

"Regardless of how rosy that might seem, it could be a trap. You can't let anyone enter your mind so easily. What if she wants to hurt you?" Benjamin asked.

"Herbert and I spoke about the pros and cons of this on my way here," Selene said.

"And?" Benjamin said.

"And I can confidently say it is the most reckless and foolish plan I've ever heard in my entire life. A Telepather's mind is a fortress. Once you let someone in, they might see a lot more than you desire. Selene will be extremely vulnerable. If she had trained under me for a year, then it would have been less risky." Herbert said.

Everyone except Selene jumped because they hadn't heard him enter. Selene who had asked him to come to her aid took a step back so he could speak.

"If it's so reckless, why are you considering it?" Benjamin asked.

"Because the benefits outweigh the risk. In three days, I'll have to make a decision. Save my aunt and whoever they've captured or protect myself. We both know what I'd choose. This is a chance for me to gain the upper hand. I'd be damned if I cower and hide rather than grab this opportunity." Selene said.

"While there are a lot of risks, there are a lot of benefits. Selene would welcome a woman into her mind who might have the answers she needs." Herbert said.

"What if she hurts her? Selene would be going to a place my powers can't reach. I wouldn't be by her side." Benjamin said.

"Aye. Your powers are restricted but not mine. I'll be by her side to pull her out once I sense foul play." Herbert said.

"But what about us? What would we do in the meantime? Sit and wait for her to return?" Edith asked.

Selene tore a piece of paper, scribbled on it for a few minutes, and handed it to Edith. She glanced at Herbert who chuckled.

"These are some of the things that baffled me when I saw the memories. Edith is a Necromancer just like Debbie. You can help me figure out what all of these mean." Selene said.

"And me? Surely you can't expect me to go along with this." Benjamin said. He sounded so hurt that Edith and Herbert exchanged a glance.

"The young Necromancer and I have to discuss before we go, child. We'll step outside for a few minutes." Herbert said.

The moment they left, Selene took a step closer to her Synergy.

"I can't let you do this. You're leaving me again. The last time that happened, you died." Benjamin shook his head.

"This time would be different," Selene said.

"Why? Because Herbert is there? Because he can protect you?" Benjamin asked.

"Because I understand what I'm against. Her Majesty won't let me die. She needs my blood. I'm not taking any unnecessary risk. I know what I'm doing." Selene said.

"Once again, I'm useless. I can't help you at all." Benjamin sighed.

"That's where you're wrong. How good are you with riddles?" Selene asked.

Benjamin raised an eyebrow.
"What does that have to do with anything?" He asked.

"You're the logician and puzzle solver. Ever since I heard the Prophecy, I've turned it over and over again in my mind but I don't understand what it means. You're the only one who can decipher it. You're the only one who can come up with a plan that would help us escape." Selene said.

Benjamin's shoulders relaxed. He studied her face for a while.

"I really hate it when you say sensible things like that. You know I can't say no to you." He smiled.

Selene pulled him into an intimate hug and slipped the paper where she'd written the Prophecy in his pocket.

"I'll be gone for 24 hours only. I'd be back before you know it." She pulled back.

He leaned over to kiss her before he hugged her one last time.

"Come back to me, Selene," Benjamin whispered into her ears.

"I will," Selene whispered back.

The end.

#M.M