CHOOSE, he said. YOU ARE GOOD AT CHOOSING, I BELIEVE.
'Is there any advice you could be givin' me?' said Granny.
CHOOSE RIGHT.
Granny turned to face the sheer white brilliance, and dosed her eyes.
And stepped backwards.
The light dwindled to a tiny distant point and vanished.
The blackness was suddenly all around, closing in like quicksand. There seemed to be no way, no direction. When she moved she did not sense movement.
There was no sound but the faint trickle of sand inside her head.
And then, voices from her shadow.
'... Because of you, some died who may have lived...'
The words lashed at her, leaving livid lines across her mind.
'Some lived who surely would have died,' she said.
The dark pulled at her sleeves.
'... you killed...'
'No. I showed the way.'
'... hah! That's just words...'
'Words is important,' Granny whispered into the night.
... you took the right to judge others...'
'I took the duty. I'll own up to it.'
'... I know every evil thought you've ever had...'
'I know.'
'... the ones you'd never dare tell anyone...'
'I know.'
'... all the little secrets, never to be told...'
'I know.'
'... how often you longed to embrace the dark...'
'Yes.'
'... such strength you could have...'
'Yes.'
'... embrace the dark...'