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.424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoH5Y3IKOYC
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJOSMWxs2Y
I swallow and exhale a long breath. Everything that has happened flashes through my head.
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcHlr0qr6U
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbc0smh73z7
Nao: “What happens now?”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYZgvLwdII
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWylq00Q5q8
Alyson: “So you’re awake.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiL9wUqmORa
!424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4Rfo7a64U
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUEMfHtzsz
I struggle through the pain and look to my right to see Alyson by my bed.
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLi0iwl6Ty
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh39LOFtemC
Nao: “What are you doing here.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7zRgblyaX
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvwSJ15daN
Alyson: “Is that a problem?”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vzCdssXfi
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsRjYRHp18
Nao: “No, I’m just surprised.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3JQ467ROK
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KN0DushDP
Alyson: “…”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0yQaaCcvC
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9EcvRDSY0
Nao: “…”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVawMbXeDNa
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGhgFApDWq
Alyson: “So, explain yourself.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPVMxMfQFT
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINyMTbePfs
Nao: “Is it not obvious, Trevor beat me up.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QzxyQomK0
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dX4bPPjUO
Alyson: “…I mean before all of that.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJ7ghqx3L5
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhntpGAoRg
Nao: “I did the right thing, any humane person would do it.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡni4d4MMxmz
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8EXSPu3uZ
Alyson: “Those eyes didn’t look human to me.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4NRvRo3he
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOK3ws30tI
Nao: “…”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZ1OkOZPC4
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVIV2gKbF0
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-”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiX1V8eO9f
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2Yh7If8NE
Alyson: “Don’t finish that. You don’t have to do that.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ507J5DqAMF
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLFm4nD7DB
I begin to retort but something is happening. Alyson’s general seriousness begins to crumble before my eyes.
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BhL5LH0kt
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnQHGOsBqH
Nao: “What’s with you?”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNt84O1zA9x
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpNqt6CD3i
Alyson: “That’s my question!”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlM5cDHymQB
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpbZLX52lv
Nao: “!”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eEWPrFJMo
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMI7pBXpvR
Alyson: “Don’t you realize that if you keep doing this you’ll get yourself killed! Stop trying to do things beyond your ability!”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ162HUeNocq
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOE1SusTLa5
Nao: “…”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1eAWTH1wB
Alyson: “I…don’t want to lose you too.”424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBr7BxdQPsN
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9Zvk1Aoye
Tch.424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8J8zkamQZI
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47EiNGpbV5
Nao: “What do you want from me!?”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JtYVBETjw
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rjEXLzmqJ
Alyson: “!!”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxs4nibQvfF
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGnwWX73fx
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.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXngEpAYVT
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYok9ob5VBU
Alyson: “…Nell and I won’t watch you burn up in the sun. Goodbye, Nao.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfG9UUbWLTM
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.
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUba25JzTm
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUDiePATQX
Nao: “It’s too late to back out now.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPocchGyGwe
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPAuaOI8b7
*Sigh*
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnDWmqBsmN
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqgBO3FSjC
Nao: “ So this is the cost of being the main character. I’ll know when this ends if the price was worth it.”424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAM08xowZO
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qAKw2Axtw
Arc?424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVfaMmkC0P
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DzvaPD2ro
Arc: “Yes?”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KEpb3U3XM
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTXqLH7nli
How’s my body?
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJq2ilES1S
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiQapy7VKh
Arc: “Healing well enough. Speaking of healing…”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHPSNrJKlU
*Ding*424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD02KFTb7Cf
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSBZ49Mdkq
Points: 6424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELgp3JgZtU
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpGuDZlFQh
Arc: “You did well over 10 spells today.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP72pEVYXMp
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEiDjCvUH1
Good, I need those points if I’m going to beat the King next time.
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcWCb8a56R
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl97B0ahGik
*Door open*
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5q9ojjhthy
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwimZBsNYB
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?
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZitLLrF6TF
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpx2Ducyzn
Nell: “Nao, are you okay!”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lPu5WpCcP
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bdcstsX7D
Nao: “I’m okay, mom. Sorry they had to call you from work.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxg4AOgRmpt
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3LMym85eX
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.
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVjux95jyR
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UbG8umSlq
Nell: “You promised…”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWq248B0qgZ
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOsOaUtlLB
Nao: “Mom I-”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzh17bExeG
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwZKmiXxgJ
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.
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ571kHmfGB2
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gUKqBgjkS
Nell: “You broke your promise and got into fights. Even Alyson seems shaken by what she saw you do.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rhxgTEZ6I
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡak4iXsqdkd
Nao: “But-”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuu96DKtH3Z
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8plVhajXa
Nell: “Nao, you’ve been suspended from school for a month.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡko92akuVKi
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeNPVkSOKu
Nao: “!”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxih1kEs1gv
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfMTmsRPON
Nao: “What about those bullies?! Don’t tell me they get to go free!”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUUU1PTjXc
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8vovijuY2
Nell: “Nao, you beat one of them so bad that they might not make it.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZaqpjOG84
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1gXFy3Y6W
Nao: “!!”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMgMT0G4g1
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAbFgm3zS6
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.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXP6872BV3
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVTLjLZ96d
Nell: “Why didn’t you tell me…we could have done something….anything but this...”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN74Y8L8cMF
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAbIlWzeYi
I couldn’t say anything…she’s right. I already killed 3 people and now this….
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbQhaw1lkJ
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTbizUFvXD
What am I becoming?
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwZfdpj8FF
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTH2VYbzUf
Arc: “What’s necessary.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndt2oFvwqr
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlU1PMXjPVC
W-What?
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtSc2Jp052
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthGEnEcODr
Nell: “Nao, despite everything you’ve done I forgive you for breaking that promise.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1p3lhMMTL
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAN8WLHb9o
Nao: “R-Really?”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RBB5XVWvI
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvP2lieEDjM
Nell: “Yes, because I also kept something from you. Our…living situation is not the best.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HIa7dsL9b
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrYS2lI6TJ
Nao: “What do you mean?”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbszvSqP7q0
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SMK0EzotF
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.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXrYHwfvVg
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlkZD0leEk
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.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSh973mvCps
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5eQR6Xb16
Nell: “I didn’t want to further burden you. I assume that’s the same reason why you didn’t tell me.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ANCSDGQOC
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbPr4QKb3a
Nao: “*Nod*”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yC8To30gg
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvI4n6PTzZh
Nell: “We both made mistakes Nao. If we were more truthfully with each other then maybe we could have avoided this.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHT3IjmIyW
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8teF0ADfU
Mom bows her head and I try desperately to stop her but she insisted.
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5oQoAuZy6
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LMZjDDVwF
Nell: “I’m sorry for keeping this from you.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFunny102s
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGfRbJah7a
Nao: “Mom I…”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcVHroxHtM
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzTvlzw44D
I bow myself. As best I can in my situation.
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSy6iw6RShw
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2NLlVMgb1
Nao: “I’m sorry too, for everything I’ve done and kept secret.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOk78kiAwe
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FdjDBGebs
We both bought our heads back and accepted the other’s apology.
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3WbEZ5haF
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWZpyxE6OJ
Nell: “No matter what happens, we’ll be truthful and rely on each other more from now on. Promise me.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiITvElWuM
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjGqdtOS3P
Nao: “I-”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjanIQxp7v
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFJBmCirmJ
Nell: “Promise me.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RwkuT1PWU
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbxvsOUowF
Nao: “…Okay. I’ll tell you everything.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmL4ip4Fcsk
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kN40JtyMo
Arc: “What are you doing?”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjb7cWfioI
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJz67LOZcBx
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.
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IucuQfiB5
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8m0zVrmvc
Arc: “I don’t thin-”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzgBbqjXlM
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0p6HbFNJ3
Nao: “Mom, I have something to show you. Can you draw the curtain?”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1q38a5rDk4
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPWvPUlXB9
Nell: “O-Okay.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncDvxDcAuh
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9onrnreg1K
*Curtains close*
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYBRG4G0uz
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2UcsGicF7
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.
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2S6m5qG0zX
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnG0qU4rZ6n
Nao: “Mom, I’m a mage.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakKsshK4je
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXHLplvIcn
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.
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkKalY6LUz
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABmaSP3t15
Nell: “I…need some time.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVCtYw53gF
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJMifME1L3
Mom leaves through the curtain and leaves me truly alone.
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmRHB4oWaB
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4gFq7cXUq
Arc: “I tried to warn you. Now with your damaged mental state, you’ll be weaker going forward.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOd6eq4UAYR
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxB1h1FgBX2
I tuned Arc out and sunk deeper into my bed. The harsh light bare down on me, burning away any comfort left.
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZ1rqckclV
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpqqzQVEHo
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.
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfZVZRhlVt
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmMggDAFL4
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.
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnN0Oh6EVA
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RavAdGoHU
I just wanted to sleep it all away.
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaA63dJWF7
*Ring*424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaNrN6gaZY
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MMD00v5te
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.
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlv4r12hiLt
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqucpUseIQI
I sigh and transform my head into Alphon.
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD91bfpe2KT
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnlAbIAE1e
Alyson: “Hey Alphon, I know this is sudden but would you like to come over?”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8H4lAW9Tc
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbg7fi4yD3
…Are you serious?
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7g5EhIwRvX
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXc27gIeBQ
Nao: “S-Sure, what’s wrong?”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufYnxAWuUT
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRmUazmDcy
Alyson: “I just…need some company. A lot happened today.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDdr2QAyyo
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVgCUEdikJ
I can understand that, I suppose this can take my mind off of everything.
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVxOqEPqzz
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTrkx1cJ2A
Nao: “Happy to help
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oL4UDEhYY
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdTjmGoDN1
Alyson: “Thanks, I’ll send over my address. Knock and I’ll come get you.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKReunRE9L
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtZEQGuE5g
Nao: “Cool, I’ll be there in 20 minutes.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwevAALWW0
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHrSA3MpUU
Alyson: “Thanks…it’s nice to know your voice.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSswFihlwZ
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8ItY9jh7w
Nao: “…Same.”
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTadV6FoPw
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyxE9JCxe9
I hang up and prepare myself for Alyson. Transforming, clothes, washing up, healing wounds, and mental prep.
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0U2ZFqetT
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruLNKBQjjx
20 minutes from now, we’ll use each other to forget our problems. I have no problem with that.424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3TKQ4d44O
然後按「加至主畫面」