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Entry 28

Cocooned in the quilt and perched on the edge of the bed, she listened passively as the two distinct sides of her conscience debated with one another. It reminded her of the cartoons she watched as a child, where the main character would consider the perspectives of the angel and devil that sat on opposite shoulders. In her specific situation, she wasn't sure the two sides were that well-defined. They both had valid points and waged a fierce game of tug-of-war with her intentions.

"How can we even consider this? Was last night not enough?"

"Last night was a mistake that we won't duplicate. This time will be different."

"We don't know that."

No, we don't. But we're going to try.

"Think we can justify what we're doing? Just because it's him?

We don't need any justification, because it is him.

Maybe he was right after all.

Silence hung in the air as the conversation was held at a stand-still for the briefest moment before Talia rallied in defense of the opposing side.

"HE... was right about ME??? You've got to be kidding me! What about Bryd? Did Bryd have a choice? Have you forgotten about my MOTHER? Where was HER say in all this? He stole from THEM and he stole from ME! And now he has to pay! I admit it - I should have never attempted it so soon, if EVER, with Caleb. He's from this world and accepts things as they are. His mind is too fixed to embrace alternate realities. But ohhhhhh!"

She sneered, feeling her rage bubble to the surface again. "Dear, precious, little Derek! I think we can come up with one more use for that worthless creature. I'm gonna bend him." Laughing bitterly, she felt the energy around her buzz with friction. "Oh, yes, I am. I'm gonna bend him, and use him, and wield him until he's mine. If he resists, I'm gonna break him. And this time? It will be permanent."

She inhaled deeply, waiting for any sign of debate from either of her previous counselors. When none came, she exhaled, relaxing her shoulders - her mind, clear and set.

"Good. Then we do it MY way."

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