Banished Divinity: Learning to be Human

Her boss finally decided to end the dinner. People were gathering their things, saying their goodbyes, exchanging promises to "do this again soon." Promises everyone knew they would never keep.

Mina made her escape.

She said her polite goodbyes, her smile fixed in place. She hugged the people she was supposed to hug, her movements quick and efficient. She waved to the people she was supposed to wave to, her hand moving in a blur. She avoided eye contact with the people she was supposed to avoid eye contact with, her gaze fixed firmly on the exit.

After what felt like an eternity of persuasion, she was finally released.

"I really need to go home," she had said, her voice tight with barely concealed desperation.

"I have a panel to finish."

"Yes, I'm sure."

"No, I don't need another drink."

"Yes, I'll see you tomorrow."

She had repeated these words like a mantra, her smile never wavering, until her boss finally waved her away with a knowing chuckle.

The night air was cold. The streets were quiet. The moon was bright, the same moon Sera had probably been singing to, the same moon that had apparently given her "very good veins" and the power to kill ancient hags.

Stupid sister, Mina thought again, but she was still smiling, her breath misting in the cold air.

She walked down the familiar streets, her footsteps echoing in the silence. Turned into the familiar alley. Headed toward home.

The alley was dark. The streetlights flickered, casting dancing shadows on the walls. The shadows seemed longer than they should have been, stretching and curling in ways that made her skin prickle.

And then, a figure stepped out of the darkness.

Right in front of her.

Mina stopped.

Her heart pounded against her ribs, her breath catching in her throat.

The figure was tall. Broad-shouldered. Familiar.

"No way," Mina whispered, her eyes wide.

It was Marcus.

The man who had left her standing at the altar two years ago.

The man who had broken her heart.

The man who was now standing in front of her, in the dark alley, looking at her like he had seen a ghost.

"Mina," he said, his voice soft and uncertain.

She stared at him, her mouth slightly open.

He stared back, his eyes searching her face.

The silence stretched between them like a rubber band about to snap.

"You have five seconds to explain why you're standing in my alley before I scream," Mina said, her voice flat and dangerous.

"I came to see you." Marcus took a hesitant step forward.

"You could have called." Mina crossed her arms, her jaw tight.

"I didn't think you would answer." He looked down at his feet.

"You're right. I wouldn't have." Her voice was cold.

He flinched.

Good, Mina thought, a small, bitter satisfaction curling in her chest.

"Five seconds," she said, holding up her hand. "Four. Three—"

"I'm sorry," he said quickly, his voice cracking. "I'm sorry I left. I'm sorry I never explained. I'm sorry I hurt you."

"You're sorry?" Mina's voice cracked, her composure finally breaking. "You're SORRY? You left me at the ALTAR, Marcus. In front of our families. In front of our friends. In front of that terrible flower arrangement that your mother insisted on."

"I know." He hung his head.

"You broke my heart." Her voice trembled.

"I know." He looked up, his eyes wet.

"You broke my PARENTS' hearts. They loved you. They thought you were going to be part of this family." Tears streamed down her face.

"I know." His voice was barely a whisper.

"And now you're back? Just like that? Standing in my alley?" She threw her hands up in frustration.

"I had to see you." He stepped closer.

"Why?" Mina stood her ground, her chin lifted defiantly.

"Because I never stopped loving you." His voice was raw, honest.

Mina stared at him, her heart pounding.

He stared back, his eyes pleading.

"You're an idiot," she said, shaking her head.

"I know." A small, sad smile tugged at his lips.

"You're a massive idiot." Her voice softened slightly.

"I know." His smile widened just a fraction.

"And you have terrible timing." She wiped her eyes.

"I know." He chuckled softly.

"I have a panel to finish tonight." She crossed her arms again.

"I can wait." He shoved his hands in his pockets.

"I don't want you to wait." She looked away.

"Then I won't." He shrugged.

"You're impossible." She rolled her eyes.

"I know." He grinned.

Mina crossed her arms, her heart doing something stupid, the kind of stupid that Sera would probably call a "celestial wave beat or something" and Mum would call "romantic."

She hated it.

She loved it.

She wanted to punch him.

She wanted to hug him.

"You owe me an explanation," she said, her voice firm.

"I know." Marcus sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"And you owe my parents an apology." She pointed a finger at him.

"I know." He sighed again, his shoulders slumping.

"And you owe me two years of missed birthdays and holidays and—" She was counting on her fingers.

"Mina." Marcus looked at her, his eyes soft.

"WHAT?!" She threw her hands up.

"Can we go somewhere warmer? It's cold. And I've been standing in this alley for almost five hours waiting for you. My toes are numb." He shivered dramatically.

Mina stared at him, her mouth twitching.

Then she laughed, a real laugh, the kind she hadn't laughed in years. It bubbled up from somewhere deep inside her, warm and unexpected.

"Fine," she said, shaking her head. "But you're buying."

"Deal." He grinned, relief flooding his features.

They walked out of the alley together, their footsteps falling into sync.

Behind them, the moon shone bright. And somewhere in the distance, Mina could have sworn she heard Sera yell, "I told you the moon was powerful!"

Stupid sister, Mina thought, a smile playing on her lips.

Stupid moon.

Stupid Marcus.

Stupid heart.

She was still smiling.

As they walked away, the alley fell silent. The shadows beneath the streetlamp stretched and curled, as if they had a life of their own.

For a brief moment, something moved within them.

Watching.

Waiting.

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