Helena
an excerpt

Her fingers flew over the keys, each hit becoming stronger and stronger as the sound curled around them. The power behind the song, and the taste of strength in the air, yes, she could take that into herself. Slowly, so very slowly, a spot of color came into her white cheeks, a stolen warmth from the audience. She breathed slowly, smiling as she took the power into herself. It was... wonderful. The strongest she had ever been.

The man behind her gasped, the sound as if he was near tears. "You are the best pianist I have had the fortune to hear," he said, his voice appearing strained. She would have to stop now, a little voice told her. Or else she'd leave marks, and no one would allow her the feeding if she left marks on her meals. Sadly, she moved to obey. It was right, after all. She didn't want anyone taking away her meals.

"Helen-"

Her fingers pounded down with more force, grateful that the position hid her snarl. How dare he! How dare!

"Helen," she heard the gasp, the voice frightened. She knew that sound - the sound of a person knowing their heart wasn't up to the task. It was hard to not recognize it when she herself had used the same tone not too long ago. Ignoring the voice inside her and the white movement from the corner of her eye, she pushed on, her song taking on her angry tone.

It wasn't until the audience tipped out of his seat that she stopped. She was panting, though she had more energy than before, it still wasn't enough for her frantic playing. The darkness crept into her vision, familiar and unwelcome. Slowly, she slid off the stool, into the waiting arms of her doctor.

"I had never known you had that sort of power, my dear demonic musician." The smile twisted his angelic features. "My dear little Helen."

"Helena," she whispered, exaggerating the "lay" pronunciation. She attempted to put power behind her words, to coerce him into remembering. "My name is Helena."

The smile twisted more, silently telling her of his own ability. "Helena, then," he said smoothly, deliberately pronouncing it as if it was "Helen" with an "A".

Her own voice failed her as the darkness overtook her.