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Jesse was drowning.
Not falling—
Not flying—
Just… drowning.
But she had long since stopped screaming.
Because even her screams had turned into lies.
Around her, the abyss warped into reflections—
fragments of her memories, suspended in black glass.
Each one shimmering like a dying star.
Each one whispering truths she didn't want to hear.
She saw herself—five years old, eyes wide with guilt—
watching the beggar disappear into the crowd as she clutched her money.
She saw herself—twelve, then fifteen, then seventeen—
each version smiling with perfect teeth,
hiding a soul twisted by self-loathing and fear.
And in every memory,
she was alone.
Utterly, perfectly, terrifyingly alone.
Jesse:
Why… why can't I stop lying?
Why do I keep pretending to be someone I'm not…?
Even when no one's watching…
Even when it hurts…
Even when I hate myself for it…
She curled up mid-air, arms wrapped around her knees,
trying to protect a heart that had long since cracked apart.
Because if I stop… what's left of me?
What am I, without the lies?
What am I, if not the perfect girl…?
Just a hollow thing, built from fears and mirrors.
The abyss shifted again.
And then she saw it—
a throne of broken glass.
Upon it sat a woman with Jesse's face—
but her eyes were hollow, and her smile never moved.
The Queen of Lies.
Jesse floated before her own reflection made flesh.
And the Queen spoke with a voice like silk-wrapped daggers.
Queen:
You've done well, Jesse.
You've protected the mask.
You've fooled them all.
Parents. Friends. Teachers. Lovers.
Even yourself.
Isn't that what you wanted?
Jesse shook her head, trembling.
Jesse:
No. I want to be free.
Queen:
Free?
Darling, you are free.
You chose this.
You chose me.
Remember the first time you lied?
The thrill?
The power?
The safety?
Lies are beautiful.
They shield you from judgment.
They give you control.
They make people love you.
You'd be nothing without me.
Jesse's eyes welled again. She stepped forward.
Jesse:
That's not true…
You're the one who made me afraid of being hated.
You're the reason I can't trust anyone.
You're the reason I hate myself!
Queen:
And yet, here you are.
Still hiding behind me.
Still calling me back when things get hard.
You even lied to him, didn't you?
Sacium.
Jesse flinched.
The name burned like fire against her skin.
Queen:
You saw how he looked at you.
You saw the disappointment.
The suspicion.
He knows.
He knows what you are.
He knows you're not kind.
Not good.
Not pure.
Jesse covered her ears, screaming—
Jesse:
SHUT UP!!
But the Queen only smiled wider.
Queen:
He hates you, Jesse.
Just like you hate yourself.
And one day, so will everyone else.
That's why you need me.
That's why you'll never let me go.
Because I am the only version of you that anyone could ever love.
Silence.
Then—
a crack.
Jesse's body trembled.
Her eyes burned with defiance, even through her tears.
Jesse:
That's not true.
Queen:
Oh?
Jesse:
You think I'm weak because I lie?
Because I fear the truth?
Maybe I am.
But you…
You're the one who's truly afraid.
Afraid of being seen.
Afraid of being vulnerable.
Afraid that someone might actually love the real me.
Well… maybe they won't.
Maybe no one will.
But if I keep living like this…
if I keep hiding behind your smile…
then I'll never know.
And I want to know.
Suddenly, the air around her began to shift.
The void trembled.
The throne cracked.
The Queen's smile faltered.
Queen:
No.
You need me.
Without me, you're nothing.
You'll fall apart.
Jesse stepped forward, her voice shaking—but resolute.
Jesse:
Then let me fall.
And with that—
she plunged her hand into her own chest.
Tearing free the glass eye that had always seen through others…
but never once turned inward.
It shattered in her palm.
The throne exploded behind her.
The Queen screamed—then vanished into light.
And Jesse, sobbing and blind,
fell one last time.
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