Strings of Power

I'm Raven, and my life is fucking batshit. I have the ex of a psychopath (Daddy's pick). He tortures people in hell, and, well, a mother who flirts like it's foreplay until they are on their knees begging for more. Me, I'm stuck being the disappointment. I try to survive school every day with the gossip and demonic rumors, but one day, all that changes.

An angel, a boy with goodness in his heart, gives me a chance to change all that. He spends time with me despite all the girls' dismissals of me. I thought he would just be another one thinking he could fix me, but he stayed. He stayed through my mother sleeping around, he stayed when the curses were on my locker, he stayed the day I lost control and made sure I was safe before leaving. Everything was perfect.

But then.

Mr. Bad Boy Dylan, Daddy's little monster, came with all his chains and poison. He wanted me back, and I told him to go to hell. That's when everything spiraled. Blaine was taken and locked up by Dylan. Dylan tortured him, making sure I saw the blood on his hands every day, wanting me to beg, beg like I used to, but I wasn't his play toy anymore.

One night, I sneaked out and followed the blood drips through the town until I came across a trapdoor. With a click, the doors burst open. Lying on the ground was Blaine, crying. Something snapped. I may be the devil's daughter, but I can be good. I break his chains and lay his battered body down, then call for my spellbook. I open it to the healing spell.

Dylan stands behind me, smirking, with my daddy beside him, bored but deadly, and mother licking her lips before the torture, weapons at the ready. Danger all around. I turn the page, and the room sets alight. I grab Blaine's hand and half carry, half pull him out. I find a bike and climb on. Blaine shakes his head. I whisper in his ear.

"Hold on as tight as you can."

He grabs my waist, pulling me closer, his head on my shoulder.

I set off, whisk around a corner, face to face with Dylan.

"You're mine Raven"

The engine growls.

"I was never yours."

Blaine grips tighter.

"Raven is whoever she wants to be"

I look at him and kiss him.

"He's pathetic, you think he would save you?"

"He would love me, not hurt me to control me"

"Oh but Raven, your daddies little girl."

I shut the bike off and stand up.

"I am Raven, the devil's daughter but that doesn't mean I have to be like him"

My voice cuts through hell and I know he is stood behind me.

"No daughter of mine would say that."

"Guess I might not be your daughter."

Silence falls, the world starts to shake, and I grab Blaine's hand to help him off the bike. I gesture for him to run down that alley, but he tightens his grip.

"Watch your tongue, Raven."

"Or what, Daddy? You'll chain me like Mother, train me like Dylan, hold me prisoner like your people? Because, Daddy, I'm already in a cage."

His eyes blast with anger.

"Daddy, you want a puppet, and you, Dylan, want control."

My spell book pops open and hovers in the air. I read the words inked on the page. Strings appear from the sky, connecting to Dylan's limbs.

"What the hell?"

Dylan falls to the floor, bowing. I turn to my father. I repeat the spell, but this time chains attach to him and force him to bow.

"I am Raven, daughter of Hell, and now I am Queen." A crown forms on my head, made from ash and blood. I wave my hand as Hell turns into a village with market stalls, shops, and cafes. The only strings and chains attached to my past life. Daddy and Dylan look at me.

"I'm your puppet master now."