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.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNLyyfOBsz
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsudTITEmxt
I swallow and exhale a long breath. Everything that has happened flashes through my head.
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VTPQ25hBV
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzElAHH4GRG
Nao: “What happens now?”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGGrBlZrNe
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPBqN50pMr
Alyson: “So you’re awake.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJN90taUkY
!484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AhnHToA3S
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEmFASbEYM
I struggle through the pain and look to my right to see Alyson by my bed.
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ495xEPhbV3
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcB6gxDGF2
Nao: “What are you doing here.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKsEwZKJfZ
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtxKBJTZRs
Alyson: “Is that a problem?”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfel1u1N96
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmnq3kxtUc
Nao: “No, I’m just surprised.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKC6wpCd74
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyPeYYPuzQ
Alyson: “…”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu48gXW895l
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVQ9X3naUS
Nao: “…”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3KXXOGIIG
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9vcFxCJ3v
Alyson: “So, explain yourself.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAs83MJJuG
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENgTKPWH2C
Nao: “Is it not obvious, Trevor beat me up.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBMXNaUlk6
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5zEZjC2Xr
Alyson: “…I mean before all of that.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoJzWKu6CW
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uApyp4OAK
Nao: “I did the right thing, any humane person would do it.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujuPoEG8a2
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaCFauVShH
Alyson: “Those eyes didn’t look human to me.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVZgpMTcBe
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvWgzKdNE3
Nao: “…”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14uPlyk9hI
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbSfpo5n7Y
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-”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GvRQQOYme
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqp1b93Ej5
Alyson: “Don’t finish that. You don’t have to do that.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmyyR56jwv
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaetBOt2DCx
I begin to retort but something is happening. Alyson’s general seriousness begins to crumble before my eyes.
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iyL8Ip5t7
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBqAOtSyl1
Nao: “What’s with you?”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLucFt7zGG
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrDxKvhIHO
Alyson: “That’s my question!”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKWbYHi4de
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPVu3aryOx
Nao: “!”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkv46ohSvA
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLJmLLUGl3
Alyson: “Don’t you realize that if you keep doing this you’ll get yourself killed! Stop trying to do things beyond your ability!”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1LqnpKedH
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHKU9CUHKz
Nao: “…”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcho5hTrSqT
Alyson: “I…don’t want to lose you too.”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0tnmOlypQ
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYh5iBCHxFp
Tch.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyHTDGvO6k
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMfxax0t7m
Nao: “What do you want from me!?”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMVJovvlpd
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZf7GF2Jz7
Alyson: “!!”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxajkAbDHzz
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdp3fWwMNjq
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.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcNUqP2giB
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzBXfUORfG
Alyson: “…Nell and I won’t watch you burn up in the sun. Goodbye, Nao.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKk68x3d2Py
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.
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdT9vqNm6L
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOpyQpkkqY
Nao: “It’s too late to back out now.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7LD4eVJTZ
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepphqsNRuI
*Sigh*
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKs2hkWwx6z
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9CaquSYTv
Nao: “ So this is the cost of being the main character. I’ll know when this ends if the price was worth it.”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEaG9mY5Qa
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooSWPx49uw
Arc?484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYq9A5yUdWt
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4c1eH7SN5
Arc: “Yes?”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7ikkeHmgi
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjaDAMLXSZ
How’s my body?
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rJSbyjdw6
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DKttaUsGY
Arc: “Healing well enough. Speaking of healing…”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUcmlk8ldW
*Ding*484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPegkpFtKJ
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCPb4EXBcW
Points: 6484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rNNB2lcPI
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZqrf90qHI
Arc: “You did well over 10 spells today.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FaKsTKfPY
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59mm9Spc3c
Good, I need those points if I’m going to beat the King next time.
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQOHNEGNJm
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9Wm4zHVuI
*Door open*
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2PMfTF4hV
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfUnUoCdLe
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?
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLcswk82Z2
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoPDvYpjV5
Nell: “Nao, are you okay!”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlFMsViIJm
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJ23d2GfWw
Nao: “I’m okay, mom. Sorry they had to call you from work.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7kMDMjKCW
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WIc8Y7m2L
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.
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrVoox8J1S
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7G7zt34TsK
Nell: “You promised…”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡephdIoEeg5
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcR2b4OXbY
Nao: “Mom I-”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU17qfmhIzU
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwNJzpjBxN
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.
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPeJjCGSr4
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTsa4Dq9du
Nell: “You broke your promise and got into fights. Even Alyson seems shaken by what she saw you do.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSfDGitHCf
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGfJS9siyV
Nao: “But-”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6Hth7exE1
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPKn8Ua4K4
Nell: “Nao, you’ve been suspended from school for a month.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7U9SuY29m
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcSoOglCg3
Nao: “!”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGUt62Dhj6
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0ixfdPRIp
Nao: “What about those bullies?! Don’t tell me they get to go free!”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33pyU1LRtz
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQ9lM9mUje
Nell: “Nao, you beat one of them so bad that they might not make it.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRrxee7NYz
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhl05Di9StU
Nao: “!!”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafzZKJ12lT
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98n889EGPT
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.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41YtY16r7m
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotJBogWx0P
Nell: “Why didn’t you tell me…we could have done something….anything but this...”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOOkHAOJwH
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKq1gbhMpH
I couldn’t say anything…she’s right. I already killed 3 people and now this….
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjzRu2n5mB
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4nj87An32
What am I becoming?
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSOnit2met
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqowGDIYpo
Arc: “What’s necessary.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3Zk4X9w0y
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPfzrGZWip
W-What?
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrfD6ajMbi
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLiaMeGzda
Nell: “Nao, despite everything you’ve done I forgive you for breaking that promise.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpp6EIaaWF
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3estFg59t
Nao: “R-Really?”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbSKyyMsup
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GbYN4MOqy
Nell: “Yes, because I also kept something from you. Our…living situation is not the best.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25lmn6DfjZ
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtj83tAPZSD
Nao: “What do you mean?”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPrlPvjwfF
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESjOll8Ewf
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.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLGWOZJHWj
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsrFtFhaxn
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.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODFbvFkjEX
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoxcwKVtm3
Nell: “I didn’t want to further burden you. I assume that’s the same reason why you didn’t tell me.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8lh3azkRg
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpxQ6N2t8W
Nao: “*Nod*”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Mr2wfHepw
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoNVVkhWA3
Nell: “We both made mistakes Nao. If we were more truthfully with each other then maybe we could have avoided this.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6AT03xjG1
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29R9lPFw30
Mom bows her head and I try desperately to stop her but she insisted.
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WEfIapkFe
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIqUBqKBbL
Nell: “I’m sorry for keeping this from you.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTP6dLP1now
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkmgCeccNM
Nao: “Mom I…”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmdPStwl3l
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dTT0l6NAJ
I bow myself. As best I can in my situation.
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wZcIulEKe
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5zPx8ITqM
Nao: “I’m sorry too, for everything I’ve done and kept secret.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6CRslcHyQ
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mQxgpcIzQ
We both bought our heads back and accepted the other’s apology.
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQez8DDklD9
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBUvQRoUwI
Nell: “No matter what happens, we’ll be truthful and rely on each other more from now on. Promise me.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThBu7EfArW
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbARobv2WR
Nao: “I-”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TljheD6vl
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNLus6804m
Nell: “Promise me.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6K0WfwIQVB
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFVh3EjHjk
Nao: “…Okay. I’ll tell you everything.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfzOKYGm6G
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJbBsrBpyx
Arc: “What are you doing?”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSEERCnmV3
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilWozTlNO7
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.
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDSt9VaLqn
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1yxJlUOxB
Arc: “I don’t thin-”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTH4l0ieb3
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeRfpQZitd
Nao: “Mom, I have something to show you. Can you draw the curtain?”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEi7siihnqq
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2w50G4xRb
Nell: “O-Okay.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcX27nqQP0x
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCrymFGwwb
*Curtains close*
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbnM1XYpM7
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPLQ7NHs4U
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.
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDk2f6YK4Kh
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdDsLTS90M
Nao: “Mom, I’m a mage.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUJrMveFh5
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuwWi14t2m
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.
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUZbWJwLmr
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWZH35Gz7W
Nell: “I…need some time.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFA2N3EqZS
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kaWGsHJUo
Mom leaves through the curtain and leaves me truly alone.
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCCxr7fnKv
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWscHxnfQa
Arc: “I tried to warn you. Now with your damaged mental state, you’ll be weaker going forward.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VrYciTIUx
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oeCK95ouu
I tuned Arc out and sunk deeper into my bed. The harsh light bare down on me, burning away any comfort left.
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWCUQrcxpd
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfWhM0FdOG
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.
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurc80rDzjE
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbOzFJajp9
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.
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHOBfD9c35
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKqbDbD9fU
I just wanted to sleep it all away.
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGl57M5SBp
*Ring*484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7U3eCvMV1
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzMBYiRES1
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.
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkL6iR9FPn
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoMpEgree0
I sigh and transform my head into Alphon.
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlVLyEPfNg
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWOqip2eL4
Alyson: “Hey Alphon, I know this is sudden but would you like to come over?”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkm5dC33gX
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrCCiqJb22
…Are you serious?
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWb565Ws5C
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DiEsoX2ox
Nao: “S-Sure, what’s wrong?”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKKzdWUpwr
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6Td1osSg1
Alyson: “I just…need some company. A lot happened today.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwRyCPx4It
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhziJRppt0
I can understand that, I suppose this can take my mind off of everything.
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVy0y6wegp0
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrvcbvD1Qk
Nao: “Happy to help
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWm4myj77rW
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PYEaSkRF4
Alyson: “Thanks, I’ll send over my address. Knock and I’ll come get you.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NNrqIc7B2
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQO4VOeSxGM
Nao: “Cool, I’ll be there in 20 minutes.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOmYAetE6W
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2U6bYj8h4P
Alyson: “Thanks…it’s nice to know your voice.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7sFZEsYXZ
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKP3RC4zNMN
Nao: “…Same.”
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpNSNKiuRC
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nwnej6wIZ
I hang up and prepare myself for Alyson. Transforming, clothes, washing up, healing wounds, and mental prep.
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQgQGeuvBb
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4mgFJ9HAI
20 minutes from now, we’ll use each other to forget our problems. I have no problem with that.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnMsRpWp37
然後按「加至主畫面」