“Sera, breakfast’s ready!” Michael’s voice disturbed me from my sleep, and I squinted at the door in the pre-dawn light that filled my room. Michael popped his head in the room, then came inside and sat on the bed once he realized I had just woken up.

“Sera, what are you doing still in bed? You never sleep in. Come on, you’ve got to get breakfast and head to the Sanctuary. If we leave soon I’ll walk with you,” Mike said, his boyish grin infectious. His light brown hair was tousled like he had just rolled out of bed, but his blue eyes were bright in the morning light. I lightly punched his arm and grinned back at him.

“I can’t very well get ready when you’re still lurking in my room, can I?” He laughed and stood up, his hands up in surrender.

“Fine, fine, but will you let me walk with you today?”

“No, Mike. I’m not letting you be late for school,” I replied matter-of-factly.

“But—”

“No buts.” He pouted. “Don’t worry, Mike. Today I’ll try to fight back against them, ok?” Michael’s face lit up with happiness.

“Not just try, you’ll kick their sorry asses, Sera.” He was still beaming when he closed the door behind him. I sighed inwardly. I suppose he had a point, I didn’t know what would happen if I fought back until I tried. It had been years since I had fought back against Hector and Ty, since they quickly outgrew my strength once they hit puberty. It was worth a try, though. Part of me wished the real power of Elysium had woken in me already, so that I could get rid of them once and for all.

I changed out of my pajamas and into some loose fitting blue shorts and a white tank top. I brushed my long, straight black hair into a ponytail and headed downstairs. Breakfast was eggs and toast, of which Michael had already had three servings of.

“Took you long enough,” he teased between bites. I glared at him playfully and made myself a plate of eggs with a slice of toast. “That’s all you’re eating?” He asked, still scarfing down eggs.

“Well, not all of us are six-foot teenage boys, Mike,” I replied with a smile. Mornings with Mike were the best. Mom or Dad would make breakfast but didn’t ever eat with us, they either ate before us or didn’t eat at all.

“Six and a half!”

“You wish.”

“And I’m not a teenager, I’m nineteen!” He pouted.

“Yeah, you hear that ‘teen’ part at the end of your age? That makes you a teenager.”

“Oh crap, I’m gonna be late!” Mike took one last bite of eggs and ran to the door, wrestling with his shoes.

“And you wanted to walk with me,” I muttered.

“Hey, I’ll be late for school if it means you get a day free from those assholes.” Michael grabbed his book bag and opened the door. “Gotta run Sera, I’ll talk to you tonight!” And with that he was gone. I finished my breakfast and rinsed the dishes, then slipped my shoes on and headed out the door.

“Mom, Dad, I’m leaving now!” I called to the house. They never replied, but I liked to say goodbye anyway.

I headed down the empty streets, little strips of sunlight peeking through the mountain range just beyond the village. The mornings were always so peaceful, until…

“Sera, there you are! Right on time,” Hector said, stepping out of the house in front of me. Ty emerged from behind him, looking excited for their morning chase. I dashed into the thin space between the houses, then into an alley. I could hear them behind me, their heavy footsteps crushing the gravel beneath them. I glanced back for a second to see if both of them were following me, just as my foot connected with something on the ground. I tripped and fell face first into the gravel, skidding about a foot before stopping. I could feel the scrapes on my face and shoulders healing as I rolled over and watched Hector and Ty walk toward me, laughing.

Ty was closer, and when he got in range I kicked at him with my foot, hitting him hard in the abdomen. He backed up, clenching his gut. I was happy to see he had a nice sized bruise from where Michael had punched him yesterday. Hector looked back at him, giving me just enough time to get to my feet. But I didn’t run this time, I stood my ground and balled my hands into fists.

“What, you think you can fight us?” Hector inquired, an eyebrow raised in disbelief and half a smile on his face. He started moving toward me, and I quickly jabbed out, my fist connecting with his cheekbone. His amused expression twisted into a snarl as he felt the now tender skin on his cheek.

“You bitch!”

Uh-oh. They were getting angry; just like I had feared. Fighting wasn’t working, time for flight. I turned on my heels and started running again, extending my mind to try to sense their next move. And what I heard was… horrifying.

“Push her down, strip her, just like I did in my dream. She doesn’t have the strength to fight back. Tie her hands, gag her so she can’t scream, have Ty keep watch. If I can’t hurt her physically, I’ll scar her for life. Take everything from her, just like she did to me.” Hector’s thoughts cut off abruptly as my fear took over my concentration. Holy hell, he was going to rape me! My heart pounded as I kept running, trying to lose them by weaving in and out of the alleys. They were getting closer though, and with each pounding footstep my fear grew more and more. I cried out as Hector reached out and grabbed me, throwing me to the ground just as he planned. I scrambled away from him, desperate.

“Hector, please don’t!” I pleaded, fear choking my voice. He laughed as he pushed me to the ground again, trapping my wrists beneath his hands and my legs beneath his knees.

“What, did you read my mind? Like what you saw?”

“Someone, please hel—” I started to cry out, but Hector slammed one hand over my mouth.

“Go stand watch, Ty,” Hector said. Ty paused for a moment, thinking twice about his brother’s orders for once. He turned and walked to the space where the road met the alley between the houses, my only escape route.

Hector turned back to me. His wicked grin was back. One hand still over my mouth, he pulled at my shirt, the fabric tearing easily. The morning air was cold, setting my bare skin on high alert. My shirt had shredded into two pieces, one of which Hector clumsily used to tie my hands behind my back. The gravel beneath me bit into my arms as I tried to struggle, but Hector’s makeshift hand restraint was surprisingly sturdy. I could only watch as the rest of my shirt was twisted and tied into a knot in the middle, which was promptly shoved into my mouth. Now that I was properly bound and gagged, my cousin grinned at me.

“Time to show you how weak you really are.” Hector placed one arm over my neck, pinning me to the ground. With his other hand he untied my pants and took them off me, lust and hatred swarming his eyes. He was excited to do this; I could see it in those eyes. I felt tears fall down my face as he moved his free hand to touch the mark of Elysium at the nape of my neck.

“So beautiful, for the bitch who stole my life,” he snarled. “Perfect in every way.” He dug his nails into my skin, clawing at the mark he coveted. I squeezed my eyes shut as he raped me, slowly losing the will to fight him until I simply laid motionless beneath him. Eventually it stopped, and Hector stood up.

“Hec, we need to go,” Ty said from the road. A few voices drifted from between the houses, likely belonging to some kids headed to school. Hector refastened his pants before grinning down at me once more. He kicked some dirt at me, then pushed some crates in front of my trembling body, like a child hiding a broken toy.

Hector ran out of the alley and met up with his brother, their voices fading quickly. I still couldn’t move, couldn’t think, couldn’t do anything. I watched the sun soar through the sky as I laid there in the shadows of the alley. Eventually I managed to roll onto my side and curl my knees up to my chin where I quivered alone for a while before my mind let go and everything went black. My sleep was haunted by nightmares of Ty and Hector, pushing me down to the ground and raping me over and over again.

“Sera? Sera, where are you?” Michael’s voice woke me from my tormented sleep. The sun was high in the sky now, telling me I had been here for a few hours. Nobody was out on the streets, though they seldom were in the small village. I heard the crunch of gravel and my body quivered at the memory of Hector and Ty’s pursuit in the morning.

“Sera, is that you?” Michael moved closer to the crates concealing me. “Oh my God, Sera…” He raced to my side and covered me with something—his jacket. I watched as he untied my hands and the gag, careful not to pull on my restraints.

“What the hell happened, Sera? Who did this to you?” He interrogated after removing the gag. “Was it Hector and Ty? I swear to God, I’ll kill them. I’ll kill them for what they did to you.”

“Mike,” my voice squeaked, tired and dry from the day’s events.

“I’m right here, Sera, you’re safe.” Michael looked me over, the concern in his eyes filling with sudden realization. “Sera, did they… Did they rape you?” I said nothing. How could I tell my little brother that my own cousin had raped me? I watched his eyes glisten with tears, which he quickly wiped away.

“Ok Sera I’m gonna pick you up now, we’re going home.” He wrapped the jacket around me more tightly and scooped me into his arms like he might pick an injured bird.

“Mike…” I thought to him, too tired to speak.

“I’m right here Sera, you’re gonna be ok I promise.”

“I can’t feel…”

“It’s ok Sera, it’s all gonna be ok.” I released myself from his mind, leaving his thoughts to himself. The streets were empty as we made our way back home, not even a sign of Hector and Ty. Maybe they were satisfied with their revenge on me now. Michael opened the door to the house quietly, trying not to alert our parents inside.

“Take me upstairs, please, I don’t want them to know.” I wanted to go upstairs myself, to stop relying on my little brother, but I didn’t think I could walk. Michael nodded and took me to my bedroom, careful not to make any noise. My bedroom door creaked as he closed it behind us, but he put me under the covers anyway.

“Mike, is that you? Do you have Sera with you?” My mother’s voice called from downstairs.

“Yes,” he looked down at me. “She’s… beaten up. She wants to rest.” There was no more noise from downstairs.

“Please, stay with me. I don’t want to be alone,” I pleaded with Michael. He nodded and sat down in my desk chair, his face twisted with concern. The safety of the sheets and pillows wrapped themselves around me, and I felt myself drifting off to sleep again.

The ground I walked on glowed white, the stars stretching as far as the eye could see. I was naked, vulnerable, afraid. Ahead of me stood a woman, her impossibly long, black hair, hiding her naked body. She glowed like starlight, with her oceanic eyes gazing intently at me.

“Who are you? Where am I?” I asked, my voice small and quiet.

“You are female. This pleases Elysium.” Her voice was melodic, echoing among the stars.

“You’re Elysium? Why are we here?”

“Elysium is here because you called her,” the woman responded.

“I didn’t call anyone.”

“You didn’t knowingly call Elysium. Elysium heard your soul crying out, losing grip on reality. Why do you long for a power you are not yet ready to control?” She gracefully walked toward me, the sound of her footsteps drifting into the stars.

“What are you talking about? I don’t want Elysium’s power--your power. I’ve never wanted it.”

“Denial of Elysium’s power doesn’t mean you don’t want it, child.” Elysium reached out and gently touched my forehead.

“Your mind is troubled, child. You fight demons who covet you. Perhaps Elysium’s power could free you,” she said. Her perfect face was expressionless and smooth.

“But the priestess said my powers would awaken when I was ready,” I replied, my pulse frantic.

“You have suffered much for one so young. To wield the power you were born with could end your suffering,” Elysium explained, slowly blinking once.

“Yes,” I said abruptly, surprising myself. “Unlock my powers, end this nightmare.” I didn’t care if I wasn’t ready, I couldn’t take another day of this.

“As you wish, child.”

A burning pain in my spine jolted me awake, and I found myself screaming. Michael was bent over me, trying to calm me down. The pain blazed through me, extending from the nape of my neck to flood my body. Light burst from my eyes, eradicating the traces of sunlight in my room. Michael stepped back and my mother and father entered the room, their expressions a mixture of fear and amazement. Priestess Maya burst into the room, shoving my family aside.

“What’s happening?” Michael asked her, his voice panicked.

“Her powers are unlocking,” Maya replied as she approached me and grabbed my shoulders. “But she’s not ready, the power will consume her, burn her from the inside out.” My mother burst into tears, burying her face into her husband’s shoulder.

“Oh God, Sera,” Michael whispered.

“Can’t you do anything?” My father pleaded.

“I’m going to seal her powers,” Maya said as she pulled me to my side. With one hand she held me in place while the other hand, wielding a small knife, traced a long line around the mark of Elysium. I could hear Elysium shrieking in my mind, but I couldn’t move. Everything went dark.