Hollowed

by Jessica S. Taylor

“And what have I done to earn your gratitude, Katrina Van Tassel?” “You have treated me like someone worthy of friendship. Someone worthy of existing.” My voice was so quiet, I could barely hear myself. He was silent, breathing slowly and evenly in front of me. “You are worthy of far more than simply existing.”

“No. Look at me and listen. Your words, your thoughts, your actions—you have value. Never let anyone convince you otherwise. They are either ignorant or jealous.”

“I mean it, Katrina. You are valuable simply by existing. You burn with a fire brighter than the sun. Do not let anyone dim you.”

“Anyone who does not appreciate good books is no one to be friends with, my dear.”

“I will give you a gift every day for the rest of your life.” I huffed a laugh. “Don’t be dramatic, that’s hardly necessary.” He shook his head. “It’s not dramatic. You deserve to know how valued you are.”

He breathed out a laugh, rubbing his thumb over my lip. “If that is the thanks I get, you are profoundly welcome.”

“I will live. I will live, and I will save this town, whether they like it or not. I will be the villain in their story, so long as they live through it.” He smiled, the expression not quite reaching his eyes. “Katrina, the villain depends entirely on who is telling the story. And this is your story. Not theirs.”

but promises were the sweetest of lies.

Monsters weren’t born. They were created. And now, Death had created me.