I walk out of the gym carrying my mother. Police, newsmen, and students fill my vision.
275Please respect copyright.PENANAAqwwCYP1m8
275Please respect copyright.PENANAJImrV74KI6
I ignore their questions, camera flashes, and stares. I move through the crowd with my friends and last family member close behind. Tallow is sent to the hospital and Anthony goes to jail.
275Please respect copyright.PENANAo4NA5OVtNK
275Please respect copyright.PENANA0jpJV1UYIl
My world is crumbling, so why is the sky so clear and serene? The days start to blur together after that moment. All of it grieving, all of it ignoring the press and preparing for the funeral.
275Please respect copyright.PENANAwihwsUPDDq
275Please respect copyright.PENANAM5KDJ08GN4
The presence of magic is now known to the whole world, but how could I care. My world is the one that matters and it’s shattered.
275Please respect copyright.PENANA2iKcVmCqgC
275Please respect copyright.PENANAXCKq2tQZQa
The only thing I can remember is her coffin being lowered into the ground. The only thing I could feel are the tears dripping off my face. The only thing could hear was Alyson’s sorrow contrasted with the cicadas.
275Please respect copyright.PENANA8Zcicvhxi1
275Please respect copyright.PENANAAd720dXQTR
Why? Why does the sun shine so brightly? Of all days.
275Please respect copyright.PENANANQIVF5lQrN
275Please respect copyright.PENANA3c8pc3tdC9
We return from the funeral and open the door to a broken home. Without mom taking care of us…what do we do? What happens to me and Alyson? These questions haunt our minds as we drift off to sleep for that night.
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275Please respect copyright.PENANA7xlTyF50nG
Answers arrive soon after we wake up. Since I’m going to become 18 soon, I won’t be separated from my sister. But someone has to pay for everything and thankfully, Nell’s colleagues from work help Alyson to get a job in sales.
275Please respect copyright.PENANAuP0au3hUPl
275Please respect copyright.PENANAg3bOYHYdP1
She drops out of school and her position as queen. But this didn’t seem to upset her, she only looked at me before agreeing. I couldn’t read her emotions but I could help carry the burden. I’ll get a part-time job and help pay rent. Anything to keep us together.
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275Please respect copyright.PENANAfqo6DJRRrV
As for school, I don’t have to go for some time. Most of the school body is dead and a large stone wall was made in honor of what happened.
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Finally, there’s me. The cause of everything, all because I wanted to escape and change myself. Well now look, things have changed and they’re for the worse. I’ve escaped into a hell of my own making.
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But there’s one upside. 275Please respect copyright.PENANAHFl1dYxdkm
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I grasp that fucking ring in my hand and squeeze. I’ll survive this nightmare if it means I get to make this bitch suffer and eventually…die.
275Please respect copyright.PENANAsuJ3KtS46O
275Please respect copyright.PENANAiqPPaPgJZX
But to do that, I need to become more powerful. To protect Alyson from everything, I’ll need to become more powerful. I won’t let anything happen to her or my friends.
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275Please respect copyright.PENANAaDqmIxolFo
I’ll-
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*Knock*275Please respect copyright.PENANAKxL7uQp4Gv
*Knock*
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I’m pulled out of the whirlpool inside my mind and go to the door. 275Please respect copyright.PENANA5mh10K7FJ2
275Please respect copyright.PENANAfUM37X2Gzd
*Door Open*275Please respect copyright.PENANADAEKgSwrlX
275Please respect copyright.PENANAP1a7xVhGan
Nao: “Hey Alyson.”
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Alyson: “…This is for you. I…just read mine and I…need some time.”
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She hands me a letter addressed to me. Alyson closes the door but I can still hear her quietly sobbing.
275Please respect copyright.PENANA1qJEDrUpf4
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I open the envelope and immediately know what it is.
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Nao: “Mom…”
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I sit down on my bed and begin reading.
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Nell: “Nao, if you’re reading this that means I’m gone. I’m sorry if I left you too early but I want you to know that it’s okay. Don’t blame yourself or sink into despair. You have a life to live and a sister to look after.”
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Nell: “Alyson might seem all put together but I know she’ll need her brother when she starts to struggle.”
275Please respect copyright.PENANAp3jKkmfLG1
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Nell: “I always wanted you kids to be happy. Regardless of your success or what other people might think of you, I wanted you to find happiness. I know it’s possible for you both.”
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Nell: “So grief but not forever. You survived your father so you will survive me. Be happy and do good Nao. Don’t let my loss lead you down a path that would separate us forever. Goodbye, see when you come home.”
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Tears fall onto the paper as I finish her last words.
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Nao: “I’ll try mom…I’ll try.”
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I put the letter away in a safe place in my room and think about what I’m going to do now. Protecting Alyson, paying the bills, doing good, it all starts with one thing.
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My path ahead is set. Many thorns and shadows lay across it but I have to keep moving forward. I must become stronger…and not just me.
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Points: 0275Please respect copyright.PENANA79XXByWL7L
275Please respect copyright.PENANATuOREvmcoM
Nao’s Current Stats and Spells:
Level: 2275Please respect copyright.PENANAisbiVRJkMw
Strength: 27275Please respect copyright.PENANA4KU0iJOjsu
Endurance: 31.5275Please respect copyright.PENANAo4O3vldyhu
Intelligence: 23.5275Please respect copyright.PENANAXUp6Nl8xyp
Charisma: 21.5275Please respect copyright.PENANAXjGl5ffw8C
Agility: 20.5275Please respect copyright.PENANA8G8eRHV93f
Magic: 29275Please respect copyright.PENANABrtQBYnQBI
275Please respect copyright.PENANANEuF7bRyfU
Spells:
Scan [Active]275Please respect copyright.PENANAfwPtc3gACf
Minor Illusion [Active]275Please respect copyright.PENANA61O4l3z8OX
Shape Shift [Active]275Please respect copyright.PENANAr9fEXhx2Le
Magic Shield [Active]275Please respect copyright.PENANAJMGWJd89sn