The room spun, its edges blurring into a dizzying kaleidoscope. A guttural scream akin to the pained cry of a wounded animal escaped from my lips. I hit the ground hard, curling into a foetal position, rocking back and forth. Dread gripped my heart like a vice, the manifestation of my worst fears finally before me. I’m not sure how long I stayed in that position. I huddled on the floor, my hands wrapped protectively around my head, hoping that I could also shield my heart from the ugly truth threatening to pierce my shield of denial.“Athena? Athena? Can you hear me kiddo?” Uncle Steven’s voice sounded strange and muffled in my ear, like he was underwater. I felt a hand rest gently on my back, moving in circular motions as if to soothe me.“Athena, please get up. I know this is a shock, but you have to stand up, please. You’re scaring me.”I lifted my head off the ground slowly, my vision still blurry and unfocused. I turned to face Uncle Steven, seeing tears welling in the corner o
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