Menses

It was her time of the month again. Rhea retreated indoors, locked the doors and sat in darkness. She writhed in pain – her stomach distended, the cramps took her as they did every month for the last four. Yet again, she wondered how she’d bear it, would the pain end, or would she scream in eternal torment, alone and in the dark.

The agony moved through her abdomen into her groin and upper legs. Her throat was hoarse, she could only whimper. Soon, there was a ‘pop.’ Jupiter joined its brothers and sisters – five down, three to go.