[i]Fall![/i]

She falls.

She envies Atlas. He only had to bear the weight of the world. He didn't have to carry a broken heart in his chest as well. What did strength matter if she couldn't trust the ground she stood upon? What use were castle walls built on shifting sands? She couldn't survive this world of illusion and deceit and kisses. She knew that now - she knew that she was doomed.

She fell.

And she twisted in the dark.

It was her body that hit the ground first, Marianne cradled in her arms for safety. 

It was liberating being doomed. In knowing that no matter how many times she was hurt the idea of revenge would never cross her mind. She'd been fooled twice, so shame on her - and weren't there worse things than shame? Like her beautiful friend crying in her arms?

"Shh," she whispered. "It's okay."