Daughter of Deep Silence

I am nothing except this: a girl reborn of the deep ocean silence, meant for nothing but vengeance.

I am nothing except this: a girl reborn of the deep ocean silence, meant for nothing but vengeance.

At 14 years old--
Girl: This guy's only talking to me because he likes my best friend.
Guy: I want her best friend.
*they have one conversation*
Girl & Guy: I'm in love. (Take note--THEY'RE FOURTEEN.)

At 18 years old--
Girl: MUST SEEK REVENGE.
Guy: I am falling for this girl I don't know.
Girl: Holy shit I still want him. *cue internal struggle*

It didn’t matter than I’d known him barely a week, it had been long enough to fall for him with an intensity I’d never experienced before.

His voice triggers something inside me, a flood, hot like adrenaline. But there’s a taste there as well, a slow contraction of my stomach. I can’t help it, my eyes fall to his lips.

But there’s another part of me that only cares that, after all these years, I’m finally in his arms again.

“It’s too dangerous, Frances.”
I throw my hands in the air, exasperated. “Haven’t I already proven that I know what I’m doing?” I tell him.

My breathing's a bit ragged, my chin trembling as though I'm overwhelmed.

I place the vial back on the counter and riffle through the rest of the basket, holding up the contents and inspecting them as though I’d never seen any of it before.

Gasping, I bolt upright, pressing my palms over my ears as though that could somehow stop me from hearing. But of course it doesn’t.

My chest tightens as though it were collapsing in on itself.

But know this: I’ve lied about most everything in my life, but never about my love for you. It is as strong now as it ever was. There is a reason your heart found mine. It is my sincerest hope you find me again.

If anything, revenge is the absence of emotion. It's pure, calculated thought stripped bare of entangling emotions. It's cold, deliberate action.

If anything, revenge is the absence of emotion. It's pure, calculated thought stripped bare of entangling emotions. It's cold, deliberate action.

I once read about this interrogation tactic in which you break the person’s will in steps so small that they don’t even realize it’s happening. Here’s how it works: Imagine a suspect sitting in a police station, refusing to talk. Ask them something about the crime, they’re going to stay silent.

But, instead, ask them if they’d like a glass of water and they’re likely to answer. Because not answering a simple question like that seems unreasonable—it’s a question unconnected to the reason they’re at the police station, so what’s the harm?

Except now they’ve broken their vow not to speak. So getting them to break it again isn’t as difficult. It’s no longer about whether the suspect is going to talk or not, it’s about what information the suspect will be willing to share. Suddenly, the playing field has shifted.