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.250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxizoYos1Gl
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pxDYYv0Lo
I swallow and exhale a long breath. Everything that has happened flashes through my head.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAYBg7luUu
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgd28KdcmIa
Nao: “What happens now?”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa46CqtO09r
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHOPGX7PEM
Alyson: “So you’re awake.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkD2sifvCT
!250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WRZxDN2Av
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqf7hJ344K
I struggle through the pain and look to my right to see Alyson by my bed.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQuoU9BisZ
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGxZ2ZI61N
Nao: “What are you doing here.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQ64IQkIsc
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxz5epBrSe
Alyson: “Is that a problem?”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKU2kVxv4l
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vQCnTuFBu
Nao: “No, I’m just surprised.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXcniaLdAc
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWP2WfZ9Yk
Alyson: “…”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwhdQXcfWM
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaV9x91TDw
Nao: “…”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9A8HiqJOHw
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtcOoT8OxF
Alyson: “So, explain yourself.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZr1cved5b
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0iBhbGQ2W
Nao: “Is it not obvious, Trevor beat me up.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5G2NRsn3L
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeDpSs8ZYo
Alyson: “…I mean before all of that.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLG1JXAfeUY
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrEKsBM7rO
Nao: “I did the right thing, any humane person would do it.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEDvwJyMLT
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEEu2nv9M3
Alyson: “Those eyes didn’t look human to me.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMf1vMQgXFF
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0jp0aK4tA
Nao: “…”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNv5ZrfLpz
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8Q8HpIALG
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-”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YlwHwgGnx
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvPeymnyxF
Alyson: “Don’t finish that. You don’t have to do that.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQ0qMzqK5U
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uWwI9iuma
I begin to retort but something is happening. Alyson’s general seriousness begins to crumble before my eyes.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytl7cKZ5kc
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFAdpMVzqG
Nao: “What’s with you?”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTaaTCEUpY
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZroqO7rr12
Alyson: “That’s my question!”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlhs7heTnn
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT08nwTOaXQ
Nao: “!”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7bXLG0LUJ
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37icQLVrcX
Alyson: “Don’t you realize that if you keep doing this you’ll get yourself killed! Stop trying to do things beyond your ability!”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzN1kwXSm3
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDlf2D41wf
Nao: “…”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1Gw4gb5eT
Alyson: “I…don’t want to lose you too.”250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKwxWXbPoQ
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sj0Nkxcs3
Tch.250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNYnXgVEU1
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgQvevNAUC
Nao: “What do you want from me!?”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3E4uAyy7iz
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4Zm7J3T4G
Alyson: “!!”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6yG8vmKdf
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFu8OMmjlie
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.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8qMMOgtbH
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKVPAEFHRE
Alyson: “…Nell and I won’t watch you burn up in the sun. Goodbye, Nao.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBQlQERPyz
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.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56mqUS61ev
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtL2JfAF66N
Nao: “It’s too late to back out now.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKw0P9aJeRe
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfl2euSYXpo
*Sigh*
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3Dlvib6yb
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMmvpVgLSm
Nao: “ So this is the cost of being the main character. I’ll know when this ends if the price was worth it.”250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5j1jYKfqwi
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8G0CDPkUd
Arc?250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2PW8qgzw7
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsxXWVARod
Arc: “Yes?”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkQpg1641R
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLluelEbP6
How’s my body?
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Nm1LghXGl
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkfuU9Ody3
Arc: “Healing well enough. Speaking of healing…”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHhRan9ZBy
*Ding*250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPXbQ0DZMa
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4KcHx76iN
Points: 6250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XFS6rsXfQ
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUcpLEWH9E
Arc: “You did well over 10 spells today.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oSVpjA5yi
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrnFHQLTyz
Good, I need those points if I’m going to beat the King next time.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQ5CPrMZZJ
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEoupzpncM
*Door open*
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cQaP4L3zW
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaQMJxndHM
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?
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZZQH2OWkJ
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tu78GnYHi
Nell: “Nao, are you okay!”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3MZ3FHXvg
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVpOB7dh67
Nao: “I’m okay, mom. Sorry they had to call you from work.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3u7LRPbBQ
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgN0fXIBWlN
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.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnV2bvbpAg8
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzPMfJ4at7
Nell: “You promised…”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvLf35K3rt
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEditWHFEmS
Nao: “Mom I-”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJQCZBR7Gf
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvXs5GCBNs
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.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcDqvM2Vor
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JZkXOULbh
Nell: “You broke your promise and got into fights. Even Alyson seems shaken by what she saw you do.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbJHD96658
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zIaFSx4ty
Nao: “But-”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBlHSVjtAO
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqnOkEyiM0
Nell: “Nao, you’ve been suspended from school for a month.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM95Dk45PKZ
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0VGQKbKis
Nao: “!”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJ4rAkkwQ5
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNbBuQ9nSN
Nao: “What about those bullies?! Don’t tell me they get to go free!”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoycXs3APjM
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlvtFWP3AM
Nell: “Nao, you beat one of them so bad that they might not make it.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLbYuwG0yy
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdXw5M2UGI
Nao: “!!”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48qeyKTJPg
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQ67GtOAgg
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.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCk4Tn0GpHw
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJjQHU2gje
Nell: “Why didn’t you tell me…we could have done something….anything but this...”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EoL1hbYGN
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaigHlfwz5
I couldn’t say anything…she’s right. I already killed 3 people and now this….
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUNoWFE3lF
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcq4op3ljT
What am I becoming?
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTe4Qo4F61
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzV9cL2kt6
Arc: “What’s necessary.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhsq9bk5DB
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8OUC0OsAw
W-What?
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rWQhARHTs
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFT9CWyarfI
Nell: “Nao, despite everything you’ve done I forgive you for breaking that promise.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysGocEKYpl
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVaJpnG58p
Nao: “R-Really?”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIvM4JdjbL
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfnQrt7ql5
Nell: “Yes, because I also kept something from you. Our…living situation is not the best.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlIULrLdzR
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ydYjtU07C
Nao: “What do you mean?”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqnQ7hRIyn
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSNDZPP1yi
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.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAY11VjzX9
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrb1xyLKqKE
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.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3qRPLy9d9
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcuDB7bfjf
Nell: “I didn’t want to further burden you. I assume that’s the same reason why you didn’t tell me.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnT1I4C6WE1
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJurzRsluF
Nao: “*Nod*”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNuZDHF401
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPIkLbl7Kh
Nell: “We both made mistakes Nao. If we were more truthfully with each other then maybe we could have avoided this.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMuEQrVObD
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2VTVhWn2V
Mom bows her head and I try desperately to stop her but she insisted.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4jVWZehJC
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vlqXjM2zK
Nell: “I’m sorry for keeping this from you.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1z6S9nmxY
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySMLSA2Dcz
Nao: “Mom I…”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIapKt7lrNJ
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaQvvWjRIH
I bow myself. As best I can in my situation.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOeRiPqKUo
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDAqIMs1FC
Nao: “I’m sorry too, for everything I’ve done and kept secret.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPycifSE6o
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRSbDJ3iBd
We both bought our heads back and accepted the other’s apology.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AOxmbtitX
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjCK77Op8j
Nell: “No matter what happens, we’ll be truthful and rely on each other more from now on. Promise me.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IDtuCxtVs
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBSMe1DUea
Nao: “I-”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTWJDBOwKN
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7A7OnzPEjf
Nell: “Promise me.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCYmpDbuSv
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJ2Vusw59n
Nao: “…Okay. I’ll tell you everything.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5ZCz6qCRt
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIpN6JugcS
Arc: “What are you doing?”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavKzK8IH9s
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxJvcBlcce
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.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUqdkpYxF3
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVkOS41cYA
Arc: “I don’t thin-”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrErk8FugPD
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOxfTKu61q
Nao: “Mom, I have something to show you. Can you draw the curtain?”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGVeyYrc8X
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYT45TMvXw
Nell: “O-Okay.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhJAhOnOld
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy32kjNJ3gr
*Curtains close*
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUCbzcCeL5
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4DVBZxSsI
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.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFry2e8n8bU
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ltdZz6NWR
Nao: “Mom, I’m a mage.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJDGLoy5f5
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlCvfpPMGM
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.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrhWJZ78r8
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK078ywugs5
Nell: “I…need some time.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvelNCnKOQ
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXmYxxNhbo
Mom leaves through the curtain and leaves me truly alone.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8059Paku5B
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95sYgI304I
Arc: “I tried to warn you. Now with your damaged mental state, you’ll be weaker going forward.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpwszXPtNM
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsEvYEYPe8
I tuned Arc out and sunk deeper into my bed. The harsh light bare down on me, burning away any comfort left.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJGbYeOI0l
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciQjN7bto7
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.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOpdAqTMxE
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBduLHFj1Lr
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.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmNmEa4TM1
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZlJR050ba
I just wanted to sleep it all away.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXteGeThzBK
*Ring*250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3Oin9kXb7
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6DOEEeQNv
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.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyPxAi5ONW
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWis9UbRDoV
I sigh and transform my head into Alphon.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtq9HQDxS31
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwDCUhxkjw
Alyson: “Hey Alphon, I know this is sudden but would you like to come over?”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OYRew1Spk
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3r0pzEqWw
…Are you serious?
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqd9QyiIyL
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZ9P33M1UR
Nao: “S-Sure, what’s wrong?”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvhrOwNp85
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OMJBiwJop
Alyson: “I just…need some company. A lot happened today.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmhYZQnAHt
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hkC9YT3sg
I can understand that, I suppose this can take my mind off of everything.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaS2E9twun
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtMuumUlRZ
Nao: “Happy to help
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSPCbNr9zB
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ247lbhgNew
Alyson: “Thanks, I’ll send over my address. Knock and I’ll come get you.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujr9hTUzcq
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCwvRhpcCJ
Nao: “Cool, I’ll be there in 20 minutes.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsk526vZU2Q
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoJhpeBIvD
Alyson: “Thanks…it’s nice to know your voice.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8BF6lxUC9
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpIrzkpUSj
Nao: “…Same.”
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiynUZHrWxr
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMj5d8DHIY
I hang up and prepare myself for Alyson. Transforming, clothes, washing up, healing wounds, and mental prep.
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ig4n8g7pP
250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiP31MCCf8N
20 minutes from now, we’ll use each other to forget our problems. I have no problem with that.250Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiC7x2FK18Z
