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.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbxttltHGs
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZQl5bngFv
I swallow and exhale a long breath. Everything that has happened flashes through my head.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8668uPcp8
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gJ4lzu8DR
Nao: “What happens now?”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2ILCGhtec
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawMkY5m6kh
Alyson: “So you’re awake.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPGMvSHgw3
!387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFLdh8kWcq
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiClB2I8xwt
I struggle through the pain and look to my right to see Alyson by my bed.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0YTXQObcA
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XeuE7lmff
Nao: “What are you doing here.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUAfiwV22S
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9tcnSUKIZ
Alyson: “Is that a problem?”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtQon1ZOmG
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNdEgWD958
Nao: “No, I’m just surprised.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcZTUowHvd
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hM8ARYlYN
Alyson: “…”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpidWB1fnE
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSQ6zAH5Q5
Nao: “…”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4d5ey2kV2
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2VmaxIu5W
Alyson: “So, explain yourself.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlqHHqYEAJ
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNalDYchuAt
Nao: “Is it not obvious, Trevor beat me up.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FC9NGV6Xp
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3Yvd9UVao
Alyson: “…I mean before all of that.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9iYSxWb3m
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguwLOVbVWI
Nao: “I did the right thing, any humane person would do it.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqNX0r2FMP
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk64xHbXgfy
Alyson: “Those eyes didn’t look human to me.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWa4HH344B
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2TKvgHSIf
Nao: “…”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFKWlSv6N7
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPk3U2mF1S
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-”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Bs7g5IYk9
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBl1YCv5H5
Alyson: “Don’t finish that. You don’t have to do that.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuKmrOubg2
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4ESV8pb0I
I begin to retort but something is happening. Alyson’s general seriousness begins to crumble before my eyes.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVUbGvZnUJ
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0bcK6O6fa
Nao: “What’s with you?”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHIewfWHRi
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASLoExqgGK
Alyson: “That’s my question!”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwYqXDsdZE
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVED9bdVX3w
Nao: “!”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdkcO0JVj8
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0MazAdgtE
Alyson: “Don’t you realize that if you keep doing this you’ll get yourself killed! Stop trying to do things beyond your ability!”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSJAMkkutd
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXYrtzNMrt
Nao: “…”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4g0D6aG9to
Alyson: “I…don’t want to lose you too.”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwChkkSuSl
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1YyDppTb3
Tch.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtcKEqMdrZ
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEM10mpQGqE
Nao: “What do you want from me!?”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2QSo54h2K
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRy422GN54E
Alyson: “!!”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxhNOaq6Ke
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNc7s4bqwrA
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.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKP5dpN8HL
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNSd9qszOS
Alyson: “…Nell and I won’t watch you burn up in the sun. Goodbye, Nao.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcokyjzZlz
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.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYxNz3EUfB
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn48EdyEIww
Nao: “It’s too late to back out now.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2prtWDKRg
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyv3a6vvr54
*Sigh*
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWzsd42ScC
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1UJzOjpJJ
Nao: “ So this is the cost of being the main character. I’ll know when this ends if the price was worth it.”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQHwAT9C2M
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpymUTTVr7Z
Arc?387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjrbQyGq0M
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfzrdDiOL5
Arc: “Yes?”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKxLU4Y7Tc
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuOjO4XJS9
How’s my body?
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQybaZWbrg
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTQvgxCuNV
Arc: “Healing well enough. Speaking of healing…”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpXJWDX9qt
*Ding*387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIlrdrod7o
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lbS5sNkma
Points: 6387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBgqvp9HuH
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcKwV9KykH
Arc: “You did well over 10 spells today.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGP8KtiKcOw
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZuZZrzxkP
Good, I need those points if I’m going to beat the King next time.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zcV4ccXde
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLvQWnIiKg
*Door open*
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHmvn2uWZa
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9y7F8JGmsP
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?
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3glMrxddyF
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGxCX8q9Kr
Nell: “Nao, are you okay!”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9neOro0vB2
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qXvkhDL2f
Nao: “I’m okay, mom. Sorry they had to call you from work.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwH5lu20WAL
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ88U8Ef1T3
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.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePhv3tuNIM
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGHGUKwN1e
Nell: “You promised…”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mDDkfDTdi
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatBnxAd31Q
Nao: “Mom I-”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44sGajqdDh
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTssFRLNlE
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.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUG3D4yyh6
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNd19QC0aIN
Nell: “You broke your promise and got into fights. Even Alyson seems shaken by what she saw you do.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXQm7xfNYa
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvusv7JEKvn
Nao: “But-”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLz5ytCEKFf
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2XigRueMY
Nell: “Nao, you’ve been suspended from school for a month.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStFc2C9ele
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2ea5X9Za2
Nao: “!”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhneJ54ukUm
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMs6sW31cLV
Nao: “What about those bullies?! Don’t tell me they get to go free!”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOK52GvStYD
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNALSnqqyY
Nell: “Nao, you beat one of them so bad that they might not make it.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobm1kmJqVu
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0F7LUaUQ4
Nao: “!!”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxmGnrmMtg
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFElu67e5k
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.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNEQgA7i70
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7uLlMU5ys
Nell: “Why didn’t you tell me…we could have done something….anything but this...”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDx4W9hUdA
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FuQ2sYJpM
I couldn’t say anything…she’s right. I already killed 3 people and now this….
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhU4FvYvW2
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjxsI3Xs9H
What am I becoming?
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqD3fkuKVpi
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJsRONtu7y
Arc: “What’s necessary.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhMFyMDoU6
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSPWe0yXJ9
W-What?
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYMOHhUug7
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllNe6Ob7Xz
Nell: “Nao, despite everything you’ve done I forgive you for breaking that promise.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNWZFli3SI
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGet5k0tcp
Nao: “R-Really?”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoYMHfeZL0
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCS2Tr4Zg0H
Nell: “Yes, because I also kept something from you. Our…living situation is not the best.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQ6lQqs4PN
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriw2snc39c
Nao: “What do you mean?”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0R87XayK4K
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTNpjACmgK
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.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFNVwtu3pA
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGZGwGKL4b
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.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9ATYvi9NP
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUvajS3UPX
Nell: “I didn’t want to further burden you. I assume that’s the same reason why you didn’t tell me.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7m9SQu5zc
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmX22FwUl0
Nao: “*Nod*”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCrkU00fXI
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ww07CjjKy
Nell: “We both made mistakes Nao. If we were more truthfully with each other then maybe we could have avoided this.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNg9UGidCu
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcDfttifcQ
Mom bows her head and I try desperately to stop her but she insisted.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dzxjMzgW9
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡum5SU76Pvd
Nell: “I’m sorry for keeping this from you.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3DTdz789K
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4WfiwX5bO
Nao: “Mom I…”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniu4mrqXGH
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVytt9XtyZ
I bow myself. As best I can in my situation.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuo87ZkKGC9
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeFHJDoyMJ
Nao: “I’m sorry too, for everything I’ve done and kept secret.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7Lbr9WLk4
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1hA8xsgRS
We both bought our heads back and accepted the other’s apology.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MtemsF2SI
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQ8WjW1nkx
Nell: “No matter what happens, we’ll be truthful and rely on each other more from now on. Promise me.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFGjubqWoM
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKHNabDcbb
Nao: “I-”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JySuFv28n
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRgj5GvNpb
Nell: “Promise me.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxAfBzHsD1
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWn65b6sdFq
Nao: “…Okay. I’ll tell you everything.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2r4hlKZ8HB
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9qRi8P06B
Arc: “What are you doing?”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhd7FJGc4gE
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrigPpjbYbB
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.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡES7s1eAOR7
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUKl8B7UJa
Arc: “I don’t thin-”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseuSFtSFfs
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcUw0jg8Ck
Nao: “Mom, I have something to show you. Can you draw the curtain?”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6dEdEcTdr
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdOgvbL1a2
Nell: “O-Okay.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlZfWxG6DY
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7jcMJYFY1
*Curtains close*
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2C7c1eVXW
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZfGI0NTyw
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.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkQh2V1bi0
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVnqTFINY4
Nao: “Mom, I’m a mage.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Jdd8nioNJ
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOn394zoFBd
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.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNXM6p5ikg
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAQJzWSu6v
Nell: “I…need some time.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBV6H7a3uC
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIPLIOIldL
Mom leaves through the curtain and leaves me truly alone.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0eIdX0p2e
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7uUykYYil
Arc: “I tried to warn you. Now with your damaged mental state, you’ll be weaker going forward.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHriPCQpZV
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfjB26IT0j
I tuned Arc out and sunk deeper into my bed. The harsh light bare down on me, burning away any comfort left.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0LL4nKrlD
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnFkNrR9bZ
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.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8rN5OPYTb
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ROartjSu6
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.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyNaxYTzxb
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WR4VpyNmi
I just wanted to sleep it all away.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaf1vtA2Oc
*Ring*387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fFDcewSJJ
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVvwc5rvhv
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.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecvwZfjyb5
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0s6oyhVj3K
I sigh and transform my head into Alphon.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpdpiUNUMQ
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwCozGBzPl
Alyson: “Hey Alphon, I know this is sudden but would you like to come over?”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9s0VF4qTN2
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXyYGZLlGN
…Are you serious?
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOVx2TnYwB
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOplhXg9IN
Nao: “S-Sure, what’s wrong?”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBw2BKOZCW
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9Pf90D3Ql
Alyson: “I just…need some company. A lot happened today.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq57GJf0Mvb
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBat28bOIn7
I can understand that, I suppose this can take my mind off of everything.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMULkJAJA8
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HWhDE71ew
Nao: “Happy to help
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvL0OKo2JCy
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbw3JNuowgi
Alyson: “Thanks, I’ll send over my address. Knock and I’ll come get you.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyM0NAxbI0T
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYgoTy9eel
Nao: “Cool, I’ll be there in 20 minutes.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLA7khY7Hk
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KHlBX9ZV1
Alyson: “Thanks…it’s nice to know your voice.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRK6nDRW0s
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNkOYCSigR
Nao: “…Same.”
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGU9HFtXoQU
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77BKgJBDm1
I hang up and prepare myself for Alyson. Transforming, clothes, washing up, healing wounds, and mental prep.
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjbbXd47Ju
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyWsYoqzKf
20 minutes from now, we’ll use each other to forget our problems. I have no problem with that.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UwmxZUCM6
然後按「加至主畫面」