As the clean, silver blade was brought down to her pale flesh, the girl winced. Was she ready to do this? The answer cane to her as clear as her reflection in the bathroom mirror across from her. Yes. One swipe made Tara wince. The pain was surprising, but not unbearable.

Again.

Again.

The blood began to pool on the floor and over her white and blue china- print dress.

Again.

Again.

She remembers Willow's tears when she told the redhead that they wouldn't work. But Willow cast a spell so she would forget. But now she remembers. She remembers all of it. All the little things. Like changing her mind so Tara would want cotton candy instead of peppermint sticks. Little things. They are the things that'll do you in.

Willow can't treat Tara like a toy.

She won't be treated like that again.

Not after her brother and father.

She wasn't theirs and she's not Willow's.

She is not anybody's.

~~end~~