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.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjVimK1eDw
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobC46ybZyY
I swallow and exhale a long breath. Everything that has happened flashes through my head.
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQoCD6GqDV
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaeJyvSTmr
Nao: “What happens now?”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTt4Hszwxp
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupJfgdXkXO
Alyson: “So you’re awake.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHi12MHjOu
!385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRKHuhznbO
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNBXLKBJZ6
I struggle through the pain and look to my right to see Alyson by my bed.
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6utzcIFwLo
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAvugTRX8S
Nao: “What are you doing here.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjVppBq8p6
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohcKwlknRT
Alyson: “Is that a problem?”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTISATqRKL
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlp3yCRhzb
Nao: “No, I’m just surprised.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBC9NzXoEh
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB98shBYbZi
Alyson: “…”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzNTWCDo5N
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETr1P0qQY4
Nao: “…”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAjTc62TEQ
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6OKSWjHlY
Alyson: “So, explain yourself.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IhLPoP6Qo
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLr5LyGWdm
Nao: “Is it not obvious, Trevor beat me up.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMXpLqiL7I
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9krVwpj7C
Alyson: “…I mean before all of that.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ks9iIHNTl
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhT6SCQQ9mj
Nao: “I did the right thing, any humane person would do it.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGuzPmLCVz
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoPPArx8lB
Alyson: “Those eyes didn’t look human to me.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicdG23l1vT
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEWTkB6BKU
Nao: “…”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yWdw4Vaue
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCthVjnr0K
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-”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEH1m1KumP
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXd9nD6Ranb
Alyson: “Don’t finish that. You don’t have to do that.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHgusOB7ZA
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MKUGDJ5Oi
I begin to retort but something is happening. Alyson’s general seriousness begins to crumble before my eyes.
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡud307wK8KW
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSeIYaOznL
Nao: “What’s with you?”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdF2G9AWKVv
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLF0l8X9fHN
Alyson: “That’s my question!”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4C2yLqxRM
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqF8WQinfG
Nao: “!”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76TAd8l5ZP
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyDfmoGXLa
Alyson: “Don’t you realize that if you keep doing this you’ll get yourself killed! Stop trying to do things beyond your ability!”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLURS2R6Vh
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNf0StnZqI
Nao: “…”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtZuObjz6M
Alyson: “I…don’t want to lose you too.”385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5lw0X6Xwf
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhZGq7uysF
Tch.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOIzaY7tej
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkjID7e0Ht
Nao: “What do you want from me!?”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRmaJrHvhG
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojm0AgbsSw
Alyson: “!!”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AhDpUGp9O
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBa1EpqXCJa
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.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDM2Gp7mVk
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRfKC6h71C
Alyson: “…Nell and I won’t watch you burn up in the sun. Goodbye, Nao.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7oSpYQrJv
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.
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0U50FSLksS
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MLF9mdogC
Nao: “It’s too late to back out now.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlMrf0QRcE
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgleqwmgEXP
*Sigh*
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8agRkMhz30
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpbkgiPPLV
Nao: “ So this is the cost of being the main character. I’ll know when this ends if the price was worth it.”385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOYvzM8y1r
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AZr2dbhoz
Arc?385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevB2f27M3y
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HpOdgt57d
Arc: “Yes?”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEG6m91q6X
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWj3jRuAv8N
How’s my body?
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjj5usjw9MZ
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLPbGuVWft
Arc: “Healing well enough. Speaking of healing…”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmrReSaFFy
*Ding*385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXXHKDCUAl
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWTgwMAnQ3
Points: 6385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVmSZLXsMo
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7jqBZsH0z
Arc: “You did well over 10 spells today.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0zdcpEUCe
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLmW8uuNL3
Good, I need those points if I’m going to beat the King next time.
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9ptIWAawh
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXpVNwUof8
*Door open*
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385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCnVMAtpHQ
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?
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4aDsdsCCx
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZGNbDCt9s
Nell: “Nao, are you okay!”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFxazF3ebB
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cd5FqS3mK
Nao: “I’m okay, mom. Sorry they had to call you from work.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSXMnUUUqn
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLK6fu6jD3
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.
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYthFBjbOuM
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKt2fn6v6eV
Nell: “You promised…”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvlFMAZubn
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2rBH573H6
Nao: “Mom I-”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPajfgtTkvj
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nf787VFcF
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.
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyl70Wx3A0
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvSg4srkbY
Nell: “You broke your promise and got into fights. Even Alyson seems shaken by what she saw you do.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjABnz3vDP
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKCV0ItFVJ
Nao: “But-”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkCPfj0pcV
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZikd8KrUi9
Nell: “Nao, you’ve been suspended from school for a month.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkg4LOpA5Zl
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqpOC0l0vW
Nao: “!”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQqVjgTxgV
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXOy34mCKA
Nao: “What about those bullies?! Don’t tell me they get to go free!”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvxj9fM0lp
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tS4UMcEc4
Nell: “Nao, you beat one of them so bad that they might not make it.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xmts7EuMw
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3T0FEu3N0
Nao: “!!”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCE3iM6wiQy
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuC92Og0Ha
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.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGDFGzogpE
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Uzs6bAgX8
Nell: “Why didn’t you tell me…we could have done something….anything but this...”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLJCM1OCC9
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkW47lejyE
I couldn’t say anything…she’s right. I already killed 3 people and now this….
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4r9EFvfQ9
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCIMCbLmlc
What am I becoming?
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCpqF6I9BU
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatY0BG7z2m
Arc: “What’s necessary.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhUtkEz9ez
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0L6twXVcLk
W-What?
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4l5iuqlfu
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5r8unRVqcD
Nell: “Nao, despite everything you’ve done I forgive you for breaking that promise.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJj8g9Se4gG
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aUVGsDxys
Nao: “R-Really?”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1spvuYVhE
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1w5RQnjUk
Nell: “Yes, because I also kept something from you. Our…living situation is not the best.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkX1p72d0jb
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlk6ReJw5c
Nao: “What do you mean?”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrgNWo7XRM
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EoXQJJfKp
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.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0Xy4gsZVi
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhhWUvnYCw
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.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lCKNnfraS
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5TiK301IQ
Nell: “I didn’t want to further burden you. I assume that’s the same reason why you didn’t tell me.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYtprGY67b
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGSVL6U3yH
Nao: “*Nod*”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclVPzjHBOm
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEjm55hBZE
Nell: “We both made mistakes Nao. If we were more truthfully with each other then maybe we could have avoided this.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡda0H3SzmTF
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3xVKmZebn
Mom bows her head and I try desperately to stop her but she insisted.
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRpuM65yLI
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7W7lXVZKdB
Nell: “I’m sorry for keeping this from you.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLhoZjr040
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rsy0SQVZr
Nao: “Mom I…”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTOCoTO56y
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKzXvvGBZq
I bow myself. As best I can in my situation.
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlhSlw9gyl
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73GMGI1a28
Nao: “I’m sorry too, for everything I’ve done and kept secret.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIK5YPBuBmq
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtl8wGT9NI
We both bought our heads back and accepted the other’s apology.
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFZWUdrRF2
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYoTQDE3WC
Nell: “No matter what happens, we’ll be truthful and rely on each other more from now on. Promise me.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpOUABxjDI
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqa4A46bPDG
Nao: “I-”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfXYUTudx1
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAPVizzZN8
Nell: “Promise me.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJ7jt0zCxo
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4LletfaLt
Nao: “…Okay. I’ll tell you everything.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrz4eqJRrGW
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWd9SmH6ov
Arc: “What are you doing?”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqFNGLR8eQ
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4z6B1qCG5
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.
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yONGALQEb
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqMWRQfqNU
Arc: “I don’t thin-”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3btcSLoAa8
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOPiUQNJX0
Nao: “Mom, I have something to show you. Can you draw the curtain?”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHN5BLcFo5k
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ryx6w6dXw
Nell: “O-Okay.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCh62wyLY0
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEia5PYIfIl
*Curtains close*
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyOnG33ZQH
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViPm9yIZSg
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.
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iykboIh1A
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqeTzUooD4
Nao: “Mom, I’m a mage.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQ0FooHoVf
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7YCWaWLms
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.
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgiRPm2zXx
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73IyMt1GKF
Nell: “I…need some time.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPzw9gMBZB
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwy70Xdjrg
Mom leaves through the curtain and leaves me truly alone.
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEx00BVTeii
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcjk56fziJ
Arc: “I tried to warn you. Now with your damaged mental state, you’ll be weaker going forward.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEw4shkIPh
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8rwEZsG5V
I tuned Arc out and sunk deeper into my bed. The harsh light bare down on me, burning away any comfort left.
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISQ9aNxpck
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDcX6FTp2o
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.
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OpNkSn2DT
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDMjFDueMQ
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.
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXlvNm3Hnr
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOZDafGV28
I just wanted to sleep it all away.
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj89UVv8LSf
*Ring*385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kxzA4QsT7
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyM1X3te9BS
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.
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9vBClEjw3
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRP2vXDkcB9
I sigh and transform my head into Alphon.
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgF8wl1rSQy
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWWHYaogTT
Alyson: “Hey Alphon, I know this is sudden but would you like to come over?”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDpiVeEQ4g
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LJqZWKm7D
…Are you serious?
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5mfHV8svK
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMRVgf4mgq
Nao: “S-Sure, what’s wrong?”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9F4F4OJ1Ih
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7c2DnnYFRp
Alyson: “I just…need some company. A lot happened today.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71w0RFuv8m
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRH45XT3k3M
I can understand that, I suppose this can take my mind off of everything.
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPcQdgWXGS
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3CmMEtWSl
Nao: “Happy to help
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApZcjqbGmY
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxE0ZTCFF66
Alyson: “Thanks, I’ll send over my address. Knock and I’ll come get you.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcP8m45eVUM
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hIcKyyVc9
Nao: “Cool, I’ll be there in 20 minutes.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6HBjoL4wr
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbtisNhQ6U
Alyson: “Thanks…it’s nice to know your voice.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3xmpWm2bl
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OSOAEsLMP
Nao: “…Same.”
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaVhtff0bg
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzt9Am6wPh
I hang up and prepare myself for Alyson. Transforming, clothes, washing up, healing wounds, and mental prep.
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFJQ2IPi7X
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu67GCs3nlh
20 minutes from now, we’ll use each other to forget our problems. I have no problem with that.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQRfSAZQio
