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.656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4kzF1EZ8v
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3kgXcitHM
I swallow and exhale a long breath. Everything that has happened flashes through my head.
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvh46OiMOeK
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfF5uDtDNr0
Nao: “What happens now?”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyV4vHnP1C
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXv0iWrLMH
Alyson: “So you’re awake.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNitV90T19
!656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ladzyjDKM
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZcZIDj4qU
I struggle through the pain and look to my right to see Alyson by my bed.
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXItq8DJtd
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKb6xQeQeAT
Nao: “What are you doing here.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEDKkrFvPJ
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTD3l5QrMRW
Alyson: “Is that a problem?”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsYP5WenNt
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPSrZjs4wZ
Nao: “No, I’m just surprised.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJc637mwUfE
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzGMpaMgm1
Alyson: “…”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2MKKYX8ff
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9ZnRA0RWd
Nao: “…”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyo7Gs0l5O
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwxOzDX3fs
Alyson: “So, explain yourself.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMla60Sxlz
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUyYKPVVB4
Nao: “Is it not obvious, Trevor beat me up.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvGRFWN3cS
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPUb8go0Xb
Alyson: “…I mean before all of that.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7eeu7EFcU
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvt7FgwQoz
Nao: “I did the right thing, any humane person would do it.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS72sWxt6Fg
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXH2SuKnBCZ
Alyson: “Those eyes didn’t look human to me.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlr3eOdP84T
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDBTH4s4QD
Nao: “…”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAW60Ui3e7x
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7i4iD56DUo
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-”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1V3o5gM9p
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UDtbjTyhv
Alyson: “Don’t finish that. You don’t have to do that.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQI4bH6cIE
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IBuScJ66b
I begin to retort but something is happening. Alyson’s general seriousness begins to crumble before my eyes.
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvWv5ECPiw
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJrysGWcL4
Nao: “What’s with you?”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqssjTsDyI4
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvXfSTp1H3
Alyson: “That’s my question!”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZt66rQ82gQ
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtPJMKkvhc
Nao: “!”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIP580krXX
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcD4o9npwkN
Alyson: “Don’t you realize that if you keep doing this you’ll get yourself killed! Stop trying to do things beyond your ability!”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3IflVuIfH
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfQHmKwaxU
Nao: “…”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8y1l7A1R9f
Alyson: “I…don’t want to lose you too.”656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpbhOJuZyN
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXMCrZ4J95
Tch.656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkSTWrglzD
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2Skpak1sB
Nao: “What do you want from me!?”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaN9XLQIGE
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjQPpUaWLp
Alyson: “!!”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJJYrZLGrG
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJ0QHBtGDW
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.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2q9TpnHzp
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAh3RKI59f
Alyson: “…Nell and I won’t watch you burn up in the sun. Goodbye, Nao.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScmCJG5MFF
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.
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8w7O8y5mWe
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6VlGFkrgY
Nao: “It’s too late to back out now.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkNiej982P
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJGyicK4dh
*Sigh*
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO18ArGcxxK
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyAQOMT2Q5
Nao: “ So this is the cost of being the main character. I’ll know when this ends if the price was worth it.”656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMGSjhK6YN
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTtxthzFwe
Arc?656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYarLo7z1P
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0E3kQbO37G
Arc: “Yes?”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2ZkpOO7th
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYawwdXaLQ
How’s my body?
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqV1fwy0QB
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ260DZwT6cT
Arc: “Healing well enough. Speaking of healing…”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvj8gt4TZU
*Ding*656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCV6GJ2SZw
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJsbZXlvcv
Points: 6656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MaXUM7DbQ
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2fCt0gE3v
Arc: “You did well over 10 spells today.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2JApShYtK
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkzk40icF8
Good, I need those points if I’m going to beat the King next time.
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoByfefJdX6
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafODlgtsW4
*Door open*
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0IRhGrA7T
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmuCCx8m27
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?
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Zp7CgchnI
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWkpA1LdT1
Nell: “Nao, are you okay!”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdayJwRACc
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ItLS5WUEF
Nao: “I’m okay, mom. Sorry they had to call you from work.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XDWmJ8P9y
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Zwe0z7i6s
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.
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1ishuUNMc
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMORd7WPDI
Nell: “You promised…”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEC897L72Zv
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4iNE0yb2K
Nao: “Mom I-”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaULHtLAdl
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfMt11oKm9
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.
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7m0s7oopW
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdbUvhtU6j
Nell: “You broke your promise and got into fights. Even Alyson seems shaken by what she saw you do.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFidzSfZMh
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0ejv7L1Y6
Nao: “But-”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7ydSgXx6p
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWvUM2MMHp
Nell: “Nao, you’ve been suspended from school for a month.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNTHv0J9Pf
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMPENDxARf
Nao: “!”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYR6n3t7xP
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEhKu1tStk
Nao: “What about those bullies?! Don’t tell me they get to go free!”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIM36OhwK4
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyniIVPtlxa
Nell: “Nao, you beat one of them so bad that they might not make it.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqw3Or5LqMd
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4rk6R8Pz3
Nao: “!!”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMxYyVJams
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3irWxYAP1
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.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnB3T12P3t
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1KB1ZqI4R
Nell: “Why didn’t you tell me…we could have done something….anything but this...”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0ckRIL9kY
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKab2gH2CsP
I couldn’t say anything…she’s right. I already killed 3 people and now this….
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5TKhXHz8w
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMP3xCFcsO
What am I becoming?
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMoVInmFWT
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfZtiSuc0K
Arc: “What’s necessary.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbC3sBn16tW
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlY7xZs00jR
W-What?
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cGkwz8IBc
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemYTgBGZ17
Nell: “Nao, despite everything you’ve done I forgive you for breaking that promise.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7ygmtSqcl
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZNRAEFtiF
Nao: “R-Really?”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iso5jsTPf
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNwMWLm4v1
Nell: “Yes, because I also kept something from you. Our…living situation is not the best.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrG5MpQUMyU
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUrIP8WDMg
Nao: “What do you mean?”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMVpCxj7Yj
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEj6P3uFBij
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.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19d7yYBkyv
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVdTYTiEzs
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.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTfsHjLpP5
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZeLePkQT1
Nell: “I didn’t want to further burden you. I assume that’s the same reason why you didn’t tell me.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcQBCdo0Q1
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OX4iBDgKs
Nao: “*Nod*”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LWpFYu0Cv
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ruSWwNlcz
Nell: “We both made mistakes Nao. If we were more truthfully with each other then maybe we could have avoided this.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDOP1EslNA
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFsb3mFR4D
Mom bows her head and I try desperately to stop her but she insisted.
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6aLFOrsJ7
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmL6NQ6nxQ
Nell: “I’m sorry for keeping this from you.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoJZ9TKe8T
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vzL1lTJil
Nao: “Mom I…”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoapDfrsWuY
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84Zto5J1mn
I bow myself. As best I can in my situation.
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7qeZ0Jq99
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBtd4RgFdq
Nao: “I’m sorry too, for everything I’ve done and kept secret.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCWJPHNr5E
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGeLopkyLb
We both bought our heads back and accepted the other’s apology.
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0nNu7t8YB
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsGef3WLsE
Nell: “No matter what happens, we’ll be truthful and rely on each other more from now on. Promise me.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzPLEIrG4Z
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEATriNYt2a
Nao: “I-”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikUS0oWJSK
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkX0HM3ZU0
Nell: “Promise me.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwsvdIx5Fl
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwn5XBwiKNO
Nao: “…Okay. I’ll tell you everything.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvAxfF06Y2
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9eabkxXMx
Arc: “What are you doing?”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTt6FGprkXF
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhqpF2wWNU
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.
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfAwIHyENT
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrE6ODrfvQ
Arc: “I don’t thin-”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjEBhxK2cP
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDo3Cq36Uz4
Nao: “Mom, I have something to show you. Can you draw the curtain?”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWrwPpOmzi
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJx0LfrnsS
Nell: “O-Okay.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsGrBTu6cc
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRog1BDDJo2
*Curtains close*
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg08S6ohFX9
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbMUhKOwzc
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.
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoQcTlsVMX
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFRH1fMrOH
Nao: “Mom, I’m a mage.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6d4KsRQkYr
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYQsNpyq6r
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.
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKG92qtrBql
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkZN6271JN
Nell: “I…need some time.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZaYGqxUe7
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlW4Irf6ZrM
Mom leaves through the curtain and leaves me truly alone.
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUbzfUEk1G
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNYe8YP4FI
Arc: “I tried to warn you. Now with your damaged mental state, you’ll be weaker going forward.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9SD4X7VIS
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBn9lYoWztq
I tuned Arc out and sunk deeper into my bed. The harsh light bare down on me, burning away any comfort left.
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9Zv6lJTXo
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXS85exd87
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.
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzn1dveawdT
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJLDiLeKvr
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.
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQc0frH4oO7
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtO1jfQsd6
I just wanted to sleep it all away.
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVflSO3rAhW
*Ring*656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAusuuty2N
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXYvCuHlEZ
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.
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQVfJZ32p3
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZngc5QLoe7
I sigh and transform my head into Alphon.
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6iUqGsnqL
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVCQ8mxK2D
Alyson: “Hey Alphon, I know this is sudden but would you like to come over?”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYCOJFehvQ
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6A7dzZKkxP
…Are you serious?
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNQGQO9t0H
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOGGKhzaBY
Nao: “S-Sure, what’s wrong?”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9dRsI4gHM
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9W1KKhvABc
Alyson: “I just…need some company. A lot happened today.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUTPHc7bQf
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMpoWbh5sL
I can understand that, I suppose this can take my mind off of everything.
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8nbKSDDjY
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1mY9JecOk
Nao: “Happy to help
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPxT9PNrlB
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxJU4eUlNu
Alyson: “Thanks, I’ll send over my address. Knock and I’ll come get you.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZG09xdYTt
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDypmCMMr4E
Nao: “Cool, I’ll be there in 20 minutes.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQZ4zwUbgb
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8USnh2DhT
Alyson: “Thanks…it’s nice to know your voice.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzLEozSLXq
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWyVeqzMng
Nao: “…Same.”
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzQcU5pTaK
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYbn0MsE3l
I hang up and prepare myself for Alyson. Transforming, clothes, washing up, healing wounds, and mental prep.
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglAXLCxvqI
656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQvoq8du75
20 minutes from now, we’ll use each other to forget our problems. I have no problem with that.656Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCb4ZU8aLMb
and then Add to home screen.