Chapter 24: Paine's Dark Past

Paine took a deep breath and spoke very softly. "Sin only killed my mother…I killed my father…" Paine stared at her boots and refused to look at Yuna.

Yuna put a hand between Paine's shoulder blades and rubbed them softly. "Please tell me what happened."

Paine never looked up at Yuna as she spoke. "I got home from my training and I could hear my father yelling and things breaking. I ran to the house and just before I got to the door my mother came running out crying telling me to leave because my father was drunk again. I looked at my mother and her face was bruised and she had blood dripping from her nose and corners of her mouth. My father walked out of the house and grabbed my mother by the hair and looked me square in the eyes and said 'look at her it's your fault she hates you,' and then threw her to the ground and came towards me. I just stood there and stared at him daring him to make a move. I had my sword in my hand and my mother stood and grabbed his arm and pleaded with him not to hit and he hit her and shoved her to the ground again and I lost it I just snapped. I don't even remember what happened I just remember seeing him laying there and blood dripping from my sword. I looked at my mother and she had this look of total disbelief and terror on her face. I tried to speak but couldn't so I ran. I ran till my legs gave out and I just couldn't run anymore. That was the last time I ever saw my mother."

Yuna looked at her own feet for a moment then lifted Paine's chin and looked deep into the crimson eyes of her lover and smiled softly. "Your secret is safe with me Paine and thank you for trusting me enough to tell me."