Thump. Thump. Thump. My heart pounded in my ears. The world around me blurred, the music and chatter from the festival faded as I ran through the crowds. Every inch of my skin burned, the fire rising in my throat. I wanted to scream, but no sound escaped my cracked lips. Was he following me? Thump. Thump. Thump. My bare feet hit the dirt road with a force that ripped my skin to ribbons. Dust stung my cuts and filled my mouth and lungs even as I ran, coating my insides in as much filth as my outsides. My dress was ripped and filthy, catching on every stone and bush, slowing me down. Bursting through the temple gates, I made it into the woods. The walls no longer closed in around me, but I couldn't breathe. Why can't I breathe? The trees' twisted branches grabbed at me, scratching my arms and face, freeing drops of scarlet blood to match those running down my legs. I let out a strangled sob, collapsing onto the muddy soil, my face buried in my soiled hands. I cried out, silvery tears tracing crooked lines in the dust on my face.
"Why me? Why did it have to be me?"
I lowered my face, forehead pressed into the ground in a desperate prayer, if only the Gods would answer. And then they did.
-
I hear soft footsteps approaching. I whip my head around to see a tall, slender woman making her way towards me. She has an ethereal quality about her. Athena. She kneels on the ground beside me, gently stroking my hair. I cry silently into her lap as she braids my hair, hushing me while I tremble. Sniffling softly, I finally raise my tear filled eyes to the stars, but all I can see is her face looking down at me. Her eyes held no warmth, no humanity. It chilled me to my core, but I brushed it off. After all, the Gods are beyond human, are they not? The words tumbled out before I could stop them. I told her everything that man had done, what he had taken, how he had rejoiced in my pain. She continued braiding, her face betraying no emotion. When I finished, she finally spoke.
"I will make sure no man ever looks at you again. All you need to do is ask"
"Really?"
"Yes"
I hesitated, just for a moment. I'd never much cared for man. I wasn't the marrying kind. Finally, I nodded.
"Do it."
For the first time, the Goddess smiled. She tied off the brain, stroking my cheek, like a mother would her daughter.
"Thank you" I breathed. But she was already gone.