Ath3na’s Origins Part I

"I don't feel despair," Ath3na protested. "My situation isn't anywhere near that point yet…It' won't—"

"—But it will," Other Ath3na interrupted. "Dad's prognosis isn't good… the cancer's spread."

Just hearing these words come out of a mouth that looked like hers felt to Ath3na like she was being stabbed in the chest. 

"We're a smart girl so we know exactly what that means," Other Ath3na continued. 

Ath3na's brow furrowed. She did know what it meant. However, it wasn't in her nature to just give in to despair. There was always a way. 

"Maybe if we'd gotten the money sooner… maybe if we could have paid for treatments before we let dad's condition get this bad," other Ath3na mused out loud. 

Strange, Ath3na thought, that the sadder her other self got, the more the flames that licked the edges of her shape grew. It was almost like sadness was gas being poured into the fire. 

"I don't think that at all," Ath3na snapped.