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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0DybNB4V8
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1iyE7qAv3
I swallow and exhale a long breath. Everything that has happened flashes through my head.
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJsaWmtikJ
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwg4DHBMUX
Nao: “What happens now?”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkVpCsT6gQ
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEi3cYhudA2
Alyson: “So you’re awake.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHnDsWKIj7
!474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqng4TbTp9x
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXvLKLn8hM
I struggle through the pain and look to my right to see Alyson by my bed.
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtxt7UkDEE
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CLUc6kSDs
Nao: “What are you doing here.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRcrm4ifwZ
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzlWoHOGzZ
Alyson: “Is that a problem?”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtPK4ScNlH
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Xn7cGsj0N
Nao: “No, I’m just surprised.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7e2PiCstq
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopZlvVMss8
Alyson: “…”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ633Wm0rmFj
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxZ9LiVNCt
Nao: “…”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioli6YO1Yf
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhd6ySJk8mt
Alyson: “So, explain yourself.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ifw3xyaAa
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6zl2VVM16
Nao: “Is it not obvious, Trevor beat me up.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lGnSqtfww
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcpXabzmQa
Alyson: “…I mean before all of that.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gyK1lNreB
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXeydAHmv8
Nao: “I did the right thing, any humane person would do it.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUXedQAsSZ
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCeb4enqIp
Alyson: “Those eyes didn’t look human to me.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTwh0CdhBB
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zUQxoNhDV
Nao: “…”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2YNEyOmnc
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYxnChPLRl
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-”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvISNRrh0ga
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6DCr1lrZZ
Alyson: “Don’t finish that. You don’t have to do that.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLauTI6InMM
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNRIleNFgY
I begin to retort but something is happening. Alyson’s general seriousness begins to crumble before my eyes.
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VUM4bVcfu
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3zR9PS9fs
Nao: “What’s with you?”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWl1AiOzUM7
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kmOLw75mt
Alyson: “That’s my question!”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVl7TCloyIj
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4fCqrkS2u
Nao: “!”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTGjfxZ0Wb
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxiVbJUjbO
Alyson: “Don’t you realize that if you keep doing this you’ll get yourself killed! Stop trying to do things beyond your ability!”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxdA4Yr20m
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9o6wkGtke
Nao: “…”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNjTp9al6U
Alyson: “I…don’t want to lose you too.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1eHlWHMK0
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEFi6pOq6t
Tch.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4n621wfdC
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvSB4WLZlI
Nao: “What do you want from me!?”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmwd2lAVsN
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHIv0SzeIb
Alyson: “!!”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGe8tO22Baf
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNn8tXvVxx
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.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6nfnKb5kL
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJpOjK6Od8
Alyson: “…Nell and I won’t watch you burn up in the sun. Goodbye, Nao.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHFodZpS89
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.
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCFRR59QxM
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJZ2BCwt9i
Nao: “It’s too late to back out now.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpdM913aPE
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTM7Igzggb
*Sigh*
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdM6M7vgb8m
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYv6ee3VBM
Nao: “ So this is the cost of being the main character. I’ll know when this ends if the price was worth it.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHo1Y3DUdK
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpxuN0JYMs
Arc?474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxiO0zdnLJ
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7wmvBiY7R
Arc: “Yes?”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhnFkGpFI9
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpR4lBaIXaO
How’s my body?
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeaopegpWA
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WDEhLkFNX
Arc: “Healing well enough. Speaking of healing…”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmxcdp6EcS
*Ding*474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcysX1MxXu
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYZBL6O7mf
Points: 6474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42v9g4ykqR
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwg4Vv8Ubk9
Arc: “You did well over 10 spells today.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVftCMruHlK
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaXwd7pofW
Good, I need those points if I’m going to beat the King next time.
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIq7GrlfPfT
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEO4BsomONd
*Door open*
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGhZ9dEJEG
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYggIotkdAC
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?
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8E27HYxjE
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4kABoE6gC
Nell: “Nao, are you okay!”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedRC5dYdC5
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT11kEAfBS9
Nao: “I’m okay, mom. Sorry they had to call you from work.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQXaTsg8Ei
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL75GNFTyRQ
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.
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jOnkcc31q
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QJgcRlwxl
Nell: “You promised…”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8nxmB5Q0N
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6trzyWpIaD
Nao: “Mom I-”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8f3U4ob5Ax
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySiO5yS4aH
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.
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2sil0XjbZ
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesCTkz62ED
Nell: “You broke your promise and got into fights. Even Alyson seems shaken by what she saw you do.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOX0gfO7XYp
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUegtlsC1d
Nao: “But-”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrnMWKEsBc
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTgNfzHxY3
Nell: “Nao, you’ve been suspended from school for a month.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmPc1EVq8r
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9Yy34imyx
Nao: “!”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXXyEZmDQe
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwq9eR3THwf
Nao: “What about those bullies?! Don’t tell me they get to go free!”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21HmG4TRvH
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgk9imkhms
Nell: “Nao, you beat one of them so bad that they might not make it.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXg2Z1duxy7
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Op9qPXlhJ
Nao: “!!”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCLKTIn3f1
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqEcbCIuIO
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.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMITiOb2IPp
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Tw5bNuNbj
Nell: “Why didn’t you tell me…we could have done something….anything but this...”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOZ0RBRFGs
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHduP0ELV5N
I couldn’t say anything…she’s right. I already killed 3 people and now this….
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlamu19JAj3
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5Sc8okoxq
What am I becoming?
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlw205dHZ03
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xDv6kAN9N
Arc: “What’s necessary.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICqqykIE2c
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvlHPElScP
W-What?
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTz7hfxkvc
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RgCQkE4mU
Nell: “Nao, despite everything you’ve done I forgive you for breaking that promise.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQ48wmAdMO
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0l775fVZgx
Nao: “R-Really?”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMx1jVRxkW
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUszisiXHG
Nell: “Yes, because I also kept something from you. Our…living situation is not the best.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsg5tGusI0
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjCApQNGzQ
Nao: “What do you mean?”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvG8EFTKkSY
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPzALaP7J5
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.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBheJvEen96
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwt46KXXDY
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.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHwKy6UUPF
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDi8ZUvhaH3
Nell: “I didn’t want to further burden you. I assume that’s the same reason why you didn’t tell me.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnJbFcLq5q
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwApx5TG2rO
Nao: “*Nod*”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1aYkFWcEh
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzShy4J3iB
Nell: “We both made mistakes Nao. If we were more truthfully with each other then maybe we could have avoided this.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREaTjXFoQz
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJA3PHmiUps
Mom bows her head and I try desperately to stop her but she insisted.
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBy7E0ob3cY
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWYVfNvnb4
Nell: “I’m sorry for keeping this from you.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oFv88LzD0
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eNRsWJnPr
Nao: “Mom I…”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHRRqP2UGe
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxuuvydo3m
I bow myself. As best I can in my situation.
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbd8wRp7wax
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtuGjq1gRH
Nao: “I’m sorry too, for everything I’ve done and kept secret.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhN49bD3f7w
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rCJxY4zgI
We both bought our heads back and accepted the other’s apology.
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OC8YNK4zi
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCL7aY4Ojk
Nell: “No matter what happens, we’ll be truthful and rely on each other more from now on. Promise me.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiZT8DDJDX
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3kEQNneW2
Nao: “I-”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrsIIrQ6Jg
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTvicqFOUh
Nell: “Promise me.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWR7qP6UGj
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOa3UwspJr
Nao: “…Okay. I’ll tell you everything.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifjh3RRCCc
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNJeOsjlk6
Arc: “What are you doing?”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaW5mF7yLNU
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGPJYVTGDZ
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.
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2HEevRAJi
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdj44s5m1c
Arc: “I don’t thin-”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1SrFjTuXG
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJ4m05QoJj
Nao: “Mom, I have something to show you. Can you draw the curtain?”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7SI3SjeaO
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89eygBBQwC
Nell: “O-Okay.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSjt3GwcPA
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjffuH8OKq
*Curtains close*
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIcs1nyINj
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UkJAEzbil
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.
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUm6aEcP6yr
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwjrW04iiN
Nao: “Mom, I’m a mage.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Iy124Kzqe
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKD0esoyAUR
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.
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXnXo9smsN
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8n9shCjkmV
Nell: “I…need some time.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xEOEyEi7o
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9WoEprROO
Mom leaves through the curtain and leaves me truly alone.
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUki7SvoZiy
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYSgQGpyJT
Arc: “I tried to warn you. Now with your damaged mental state, you’ll be weaker going forward.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlU1UrCgEo
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKI2jwylxB
I tuned Arc out and sunk deeper into my bed. The harsh light bare down on me, burning away any comfort left.
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlU98XIVNK
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUUgKaasOy
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.
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZN5H5w3Q0
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbtBcuibt8
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.
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybIoofd0Dh
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡza8yQnaNSw
I just wanted to sleep it all away.
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnznnNWMSI9
*Ring*474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2W33H2v0rS
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbudKT4H1Lq
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.
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38l44SJTEc
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcLhFZMIcS
I sigh and transform my head into Alphon.
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Hdp9I1XYV
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUK5t8hhog
Alyson: “Hey Alphon, I know this is sudden but would you like to come over?”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dVtbSxlrA
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjzSGxUpYD
…Are you serious?
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUybWxj6q3
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08mDQBEp8V
Nao: “S-Sure, what’s wrong?”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWmPCOxTxS
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwL1Rhk15G
Alyson: “I just…need some company. A lot happened today.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXjdJyF6gr
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMudtFYlRO
I can understand that, I suppose this can take my mind off of everything.
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFY0AyNvhjV
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQN23IqonL
Nao: “Happy to help
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecOzVGsYM4
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvLoR7hoRw
Alyson: “Thanks, I’ll send over my address. Knock and I’ll come get you.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYOYqlA15V
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBhkybp2aV
Nao: “Cool, I’ll be there in 20 minutes.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBK0oGyI2s
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFolhSWs3Vp
Alyson: “Thanks…it’s nice to know your voice.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VTv6jlESB
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd70BWjAwFN
Nao: “…Same.”
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIG4dwQrkp
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoeKOR5Cul
I hang up and prepare myself for Alyson. Transforming, clothes, washing up, healing wounds, and mental prep.
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhj9sEm3rP6
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7XPOJ8Q2u
20 minutes from now, we’ll use each other to forget our problems. I have no problem with that.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOoy9Wozwu
