Not a Second More, by Gio Roven

Once upon a time, there was a blind girl in a faraway kingdom with nothing on her but the clothes on her back. She was looking for a temple, one that she can call home. One day, she thought she had found it. It was a quiet place, practically deserted, but the smell of incense drew her in.

She was nearly frightened to death when someone had shown up right behind her, announcing her

presence. It turns out the temple was in fact abandoned and the flowers she picked up as offering would

have quickly rotted. Even so, without a temple as a home, Dorothea had found a friend.

Her name was Medusa. A gorgon.

Why would she ever befriend a small blind girl with nothing to offer? The historians may never know.

But what they do know is how much they loved each other. How much their friendship had impacted one another’s lives. However, we all know how this story ends.

The blind girl, a mere mortal, will inevitably die, leaving her best friend to live all on her own. Medusa, driven by rage and grief, would go on a monstrous spree, trying to fill the dark hole in her heart. Perseus, the well-known hero, would save the world by ridding it of Medusa. Happily ever after, the end.

This is not how this story went.

Dorothea was to live for much longer than prophesied to. The illness the gods had predicted to hit her, seemed to have missed. Dorothea had fought the ailment in her lungs, cutting it out with the voice she has loved for so long. But it did not matter, now that she was healthy and free.

Free to live with her best friend, for as long as she can.

But the destiny Dorothea had tried so hard to escape from was not enough. She only wished to live for just a second longer. The days passed and the pair were happy as can be. Until Perseus came.

He had not brought along a horse as a gift for Polydectes’ banquet, yet attended anyway. He had foolishly promised the ruler to bestow him anything else he pleases. The king took his chance and requested for Medusa’s head. Perseus agreed.

Dorothea couldn’t have begged harder if she tried. “She’s not a monster!” she had cried. “Please don’t hurt her.” All her screams had come to naught. Although she was healthy, she could never defeat a man

such as Perseus. Dorothea was there as Perseus beheaded Medusa, leaving her body to lie stiff as he proudly held the head high.

Perseus was then known as the hero who had slain Medusa, he was proud to hold that title, and Dorothea kept on living.

Medusa died a monster. Dorothea died alone.

They were never meant to escape their destinies. They were only ever meant to get a second longer.

Gio Roven is an aspiring author who wishes to inspire young girls to explore their imagination and creativity. She loves writing in her free time as she happily indulges herself in various kinds of desserts.