Medusa

The room was dark, lit only by the dim green glow of Medusa’s serpentine crown. you stand firm, your hands trembling but your voice steady as you plead with the woman before that stands before you. "Medusa, listen,"you said, your voice heavy with desperation. "Athena made you like this." Medusa tilted her head, a small, bitter smirk curling at the edges of her lips. "She was mad at me, so?" "Well, why was she mad?" you pressed, taking a step closer. Medusa’s eyes narrowed. "She said I'd been bad." You hesitated before asking, softly, "Had you been?" Medusa leaned forward, her voice sharp and unforgiving. "No." Her gaze hardened. Then, with a haunting melody, she began to sing. "Now, look into me..." You shook your head. "Listen, Medusa! She's ashamed of what you do, but she never stops using you. Hey, I'd be a monster too, I'd be like you—big time. And it's time to realize you're the victim of a crime!" Medusa let out a low laugh, cold and biting. "You're lost, little girl. No more Hail Mary’s. We both know the victim's you. The monster's me." "You don't know," you shot back, her voice rising. "You don't know!" "I *do* know," Medusa hissed, stepping closer. "I know that you didn't—" you interrupted, a flicker of hope in her voice. "Kill Calliope? So you know that it's true, that I didn’t do it." Medusa faltered for a moment, her voice trembling. "No!" "Yes, you do know," Grace insisted. "And does that mean Athena knows?" Medusa’s voice broke, a sudden shout. "No!" your voices collided as your emotions boiled over. "Fine, Grace," Medusa growled, regaining her composure. "I’ll take you while you’re awake." "Don’t you see, Medusa?" your cried out. "You are just her tool. Your queen’s a user; you’re Athena’s fool!" Medusa laughed darkly, mocking. "True, the meat will be slightly tougher, but you’re really gonna suffer!" "Persephone—she’s a friend to me," you pleaded. "We can get you free!"