This…isn’t my ceiling. I blink and feel a tinge of pain across my pain. So…this is reality. I’m probably in the nurse’s office.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgDN56Tisx
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWL1YWSinz
I swallow and exhale a long breath. Everything that has happened flashes through my head.
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7ZSer4lqw
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeoUm55QEH
Nao: “What happens now?”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQTvdZWHaq
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwN8xRIXFcx
Alyson: “So you’re awake.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNC9E6YPXPZ
!390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKCEyAAIWG
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6HIgmIr0q
I struggle through the pain and look to my right to see Alyson by my bed.
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD180Wz2ETm
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jqhMCTpJK
Nao: “What are you doing here.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvznKeOeJMu
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrO8wz6k6h
Alyson: “Is that a problem?”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0G6zqKqZ9
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfxArwzOdD
Nao: “No, I’m just surprised.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWr715oQb7
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQC57D5Tu8G
Alyson: “…”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZurar37YJ
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAI9W5t9UbS
Nao: “…”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlE02zLXnpi
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBNcHSUgkv
Alyson: “So, explain yourself.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24HPGXvAHy
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMC2XDGLnJw
Nao: “Is it not obvious, Trevor beat me up.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbvA0ALd8W
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcbxSimj6F
Alyson: “…I mean before all of that.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbh06fguid
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLlhAPe0NC
Nao: “I did the right thing, any humane person would do it.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0mhBT0f6X
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvommf0qq1C
Alyson: “Those eyes didn’t look human to me.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKo0l4H8j8Z
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9J6Pc2VaV
Nao: “…”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMQM94p1xX
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mjOznz3fn
Nao: “Maybe not, but I couldn’t sit by and let them beat up my friends like that. If I…have to become a monster-”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0RQtQPl8n
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtSU1dodFO
Alyson: “Don’t finish that. You don’t have to do that.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXBHSE4jp3
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcNXw5wDjQ
I begin to retort but something is happening. Alyson’s general seriousness begins to crumble before my eyes.
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMBY2zcoZN
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTnTudOmNv
Nao: “What’s with you?”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QmcNQuaXy
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEYLTAhp82
Alyson: “That’s my question!”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8o8yrx8Ji
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgROV5fZlqX
Nao: “!”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTk26NPz2nJ
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlZAXjvF56
Alyson: “Don’t you realize that if you keep doing this you’ll get yourself killed! Stop trying to do things beyond your ability!”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvTi7gqjhc
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFWGNyGzIB
Nao: “…”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNyn5WmMrg
Alyson: “I…don’t want to lose you too.”390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2f3YoZByYg
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOGUrcQ6i1
Tch.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIHS3cOQGm
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgSeznoMdv
Nao: “What do you want from me!?”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzmFmkt1BC
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlltRkUL4dk
Alyson: “!!”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3FD4QYRUU
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKER4IFJoXL
Nao: “Should we just shut up and take our abuse? I don’t care whether it’s not within my ability, I rather try than live the rest of my life on my knees.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6gOAdrP23
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvT9Fa1YQqH
Alyson: “…Nell and I won’t watch you burn up in the sun. Goodbye, Nao.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56TvcqJx8i
She cleans off her tears and leaves me alone in the room. No, not alone. I’m in a room full of broken bodies. Those of my friends and those of my enemies.
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9Q6cuoFMo
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30EIilkC3y
Nao: “It’s too late to back out now.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBH4qQcxlRY
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiVJNTRXTm
*Sigh*
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcGuQ5iBcr
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdRK5ea0Ug
Nao: “ So this is the cost of being the main character. I’ll know when this ends if the price was worth it.”390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQU2SwMTI66
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rW7ETZjP6
Arc?390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqsXXL1uAV
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc68ZEGnmMe
Arc: “Yes?”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKjYi9FBhD
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmn5STNHPz
How’s my body?
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6epYZj5i9
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7n1mRoUfcM
Arc: “Healing well enough. Speaking of healing…”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISC4TAMf4G
*Ding*390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsLVYDX3qa
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPWN2JzI1D
Points: 6390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5lUUqfkRB
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yxygrxGXf
Arc: “You did well over 10 spells today.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKyeKY9igD
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhg4cLKmhaO
Good, I need those points if I’m going to beat the King next time.
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71QX8aalBl
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4LWQP19MF
*Door open*
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKpsR9fY0O
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mo9vAbExp
I look to the door and rushing to my side is the person I didn’t want to see. Not after what I almost did?
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94HoMn6Vkl
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyk2OvRE6sw
Nell: “Nao, are you okay!”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxdhmKTvD0
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmyCfRzDSp
Nao: “I’m okay, mom. Sorry they had to call you from work.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANR9xGMTWu
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBLQt0po40
She hugs me gently, enveloping me in her warmth. Something I need but don’t deserve. And as soon as I think that the warmth leaves and is replaced with dread.
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuvh2z29IP
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0n7YPvZpJa
Nell: “You promised…”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLYuOBEQG5
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZilbw847Yw
Nao: “Mom I-”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNXmoAxB4I
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopr1dlvHn7
Before I could say anything she flicked my forehead hard enough to push my head back some. Knowing my mom, this is as bad as a slap.
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOFOL2eSfT
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqQu0YWRW9
Nell: “You broke your promise and got into fights. Even Alyson seems shaken by what she saw you do.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSilgHNph3
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMjTS2PvbE
Nao: “But-”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAfEpdQv8r
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyrESpJJcF
Nell: “Nao, you’ve been suspended from school for a month.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb09QMclo2k
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmmWvg2z20
Nao: “!”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZ1zkBVh1e
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zuhhjq93o
Nao: “What about those bullies?! Don’t tell me they get to go free!”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTk0ooasN5
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkd1RJOFZXw
Nell: “Nao, you beat one of them so bad that they might not make it.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPhkapKfPz
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDlq1R6srk
Nao: “!!”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1vZzJOyMr
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcYlLutafW
Nell: “What they did to you and your friends is unforgivable but that pales in comparison to you. You…might really be charged with murder.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaAZ3DZ14i
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LWBqmYwp2
Nell: “Why didn’t you tell me…we could have done something….anything but this...”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1emidWhtlM
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTtGjSzOKW
I couldn’t say anything…she’s right. I already killed 3 people and now this….
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXuryGiP4F
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFutJzjdlF
What am I becoming?
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGxZsPiPrK
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuTIPi2WBu
Arc: “What’s necessary.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6NvO2jqWk
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopdP2YgJmD
W-What?
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkVobSoV1x
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIq1ZbBrqGC
Nell: “Nao, despite everything you’ve done I forgive you for breaking that promise.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYY7kwETw2Y
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL04qT1siVv
Nao: “R-Really?”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMIi1K6zRL
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBGEJvleES
Nell: “Yes, because I also kept something from you. Our…living situation is not the best.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycCHm1tYuq
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVALkfdn9OI
Nao: “What do you mean?”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNDLdkAONh
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw24STLZvGZ
Nell: “It means that I’m getting older and can’t be as productive as I once was. Income has been steadily declining along with work hours. I…can’t keep up and one day…we might lose the house.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7LmhYdhNb
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLJySXMAoY
Nao: “Mom! Why didn’t you tell me? I could have helped or lessened your burden in some way. I would never have been as lazy as I was before if I knew.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVAzohDroZ
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpa09Ui4RB
Nell: “I didn’t want to further burden you. I assume that’s the same reason why you didn’t tell me.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQq5g9GQ3B
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cJuaArmRb
Nao: “*Nod*”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhe01RFqTqf
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGPohGq7WZ
Nell: “We both made mistakes Nao. If we were more truthfully with each other then maybe we could have avoided this.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfXVOZosXh
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPQkZDtDsP
Mom bows her head and I try desperately to stop her but she insisted.
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CeV3AtRaN
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQlBWniM1i
Nell: “I’m sorry for keeping this from you.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9jzBuNKcC
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMYynj8xuC
Nao: “Mom I…”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpCARQ44b5
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvHdx7sT30
I bow myself. As best I can in my situation.
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMZpoS1tid
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBVrafr23c
Nao: “I’m sorry too, for everything I’ve done and kept secret.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoRFaG9wIS
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNzA0cQuCn
We both bought our heads back and accepted the other’s apology.
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXR4ihZ5QZ
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlVrw5mDVS
Nell: “No matter what happens, we’ll be truthful and rely on each other more from now on. Promise me.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMseNQnG1J
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0YtYHOzop
Nao: “I-”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TnZnmx6pe
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPosg4RjAC
Nell: “Promise me.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMCG7gMPY8
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVrvlLeHHj
Nao: “…Okay. I’ll tell you everything.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFSkQZOy2e
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0E3VTli1r
Arc: “What are you doing?”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrOv7OMrHQ
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjNCeTZMUc
You said we need more allies and the one person who’s been an ally to me all my life is right here. I never should have kept this a secret.
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnp6ULowR0h
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzE5UFrmm3
Arc: “I don’t thin-”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmOUrOsJRr
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfBYjS6Fvc
Nao: “Mom, I have something to show you. Can you draw the curtain?”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuanu4GPYIQ
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCQ5TgU6yf
Nell: “O-Okay.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3x2EU2uj2
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4g1gFt7aYw
*Curtains close*
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hTgto0nu9
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIFRyXUdw6
Once she sat down I transformed the necklace into a book with a flash of light. I used minor illusion to be on the same show I did in front of the Black Listers.
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUxxsW7u9y
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLL9R8Ym6ac
Nao: “Mom, I’m a mage.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXjXFnd0AN
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkOPgZnofO
I told her everything and this time I mean everything. I watched her eyes start with wonder and end with horror. The one thing I wanted to keep through all have this, is torn away right in front of me. And it’s done by my own hands.
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkgJkuOOlu
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs89nHzRIbu
Nell: “I…need some time.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDajqNzOGc
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNr3cz65oe
Mom leaves through the curtain and leaves me truly alone.
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnURhTvdlQo
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9VNRKfA5u
Arc: “I tried to warn you. Now with your damaged mental state, you’ll be weaker going forward.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVa9BY0mN3B
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkGTF4X5cX
I tuned Arc out and sunk deeper into my bed. The harsh light bare down on me, burning away any comfort left.
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSH4OWIAlEq
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbLwhoRmad
Time moved fast after that. After I was healed enough I was taken back home by mom. I assume the others went home in a similar way. When I got back home, it was colder. No one said a word as they went into their room.
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsShmPpbfd
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTrV4LTaTu
In my own room, I just laid in bed staring at my ceiling. I was too bruised, tired, and depressed to work. Despite Arc’s protests, I refused to meditate or work out.
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0PMSqFKZF
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1zTYyfMI6
I just wanted to sleep it all away.
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03EGhONGDz
*Ring*390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0iBovWAb6
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMGRZTr7uI
I turn my head to my phone on the desk. I consider ignoring it but I remember that there’s only 1 person that would call me.
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2UV81QVw9
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9ZAa7GVqy
I sigh and transform my head into Alphon.
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KT6erSIFA
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGCEWOTUfa
Alyson: “Hey Alphon, I know this is sudden but would you like to come over?”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Fl3FsBWRq
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIwlJGKdgl
…Are you serious?
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Q0WySjcFS
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGegQZ1t5SY
Nao: “S-Sure, what’s wrong?”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvc0hD4exkK
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj923LQnEb8
Alyson: “I just…need some company. A lot happened today.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamTHXrlKPh
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUn0jkxat2
I can understand that, I suppose this can take my mind off of everything.
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQY8wbMXocK
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgSdixeSw3
Nao: “Happy to help
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpt9rWB4WAF
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38lHZefTmn
Alyson: “Thanks, I’ll send over my address. Knock and I’ll come get you.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlihBhNKN8H
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHAhg8clcp
Nao: “Cool, I’ll be there in 20 minutes.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULmUxnrbn9
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvUYMYbnRB
Alyson: “Thanks…it’s nice to know your voice.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqR93GFhCU
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7zTbdtYl2
Nao: “…Same.”
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAuLZUm97S
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttKB1SvYQj
I hang up and prepare myself for Alyson. Transforming, clothes, washing up, healing wounds, and mental prep.
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EXOiDY0o6
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIm3SEuy2v
20 minutes from now, we’ll use each other to forget our problems. I have no problem with that.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIw5BvPUisi
