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.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MuyjxH4Ef
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDFSEkhBwZ
I swallow and exhale a long breath. Everything that has happened flashes through my head.
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl446SumBV9
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsXUWCaO9Z
Nao: “What happens now?”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8WXGSBjDf
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1EfjIMlWo
Alyson: “So you’re awake.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3C0dooMCUy
!432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2ihsD9z6x
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedUOLC5XxI
I struggle through the pain and look to my right to see Alyson by my bed.
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9xEUw95ww
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCg0lMr4zq
Nao: “What are you doing here.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGYw7vEMjy
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aaWGiBfDE
Alyson: “Is that a problem?”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jVxSrckGl
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRJCVMyoRm
Nao: “No, I’m just surprised.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yrWTqicEM
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yYDFXhoZb
Alyson: “…”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72zGDtpBre
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4QAU44UFr
Nao: “…”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwcTe0jaPq
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTD9s0fqdrV
Alyson: “So, explain yourself.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCXzBG9Mpz
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcmv27o0ao
Nao: “Is it not obvious, Trevor beat me up.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehmOk4jIDv
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYh7TfWT0Rx
Alyson: “…I mean before all of that.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUkhHGieMi
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2B27eGTNRw
Nao: “I did the right thing, any humane person would do it.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjLvI19B7y
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJ4SuLFCJP
Alyson: “Those eyes didn’t look human to me.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1EUyRpWFB
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8E5CmEFka
Nao: “…”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39lUIPPqbF
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIM4YxtOiY
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-”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWMACzTDov
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2y3UCkvciH
Alyson: “Don’t finish that. You don’t have to do that.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhL3awDmFTl
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzh1ZT2Eb9e
I begin to retort but something is happening. Alyson’s general seriousness begins to crumble before my eyes.
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wxToy7bhP
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8X4WKd4Ga
Nao: “What’s with you?”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLc74r84Wkr
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6jMUHn8oo
Alyson: “That’s my question!”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMC6Jt4VUTC
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumN2PG4x1N
Nao: “!”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHduO0ZpOgj
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAOW64nvwL
Alyson: “Don’t you realize that if you keep doing this you’ll get yourself killed! Stop trying to do things beyond your ability!”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5m4ILcpTLS
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhYYQ7Z1NS
Nao: “…”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0e8l2WtITe
Alyson: “I…don’t want to lose you too.”432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiUnz6ffK9
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFChSJqUi1
Tch.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaSkQ4SHPw
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mndcEwKop
Nao: “What do you want from me!?”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkklTeoTi7
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZeMqP99YX
Alyson: “!!”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjqQvPqsOB
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeilB3bhwsl
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.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNy0OzDcaFr
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsblD7zSRmB
Alyson: “…Nell and I won’t watch you burn up in the sun. Goodbye, Nao.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLS7NkOISvK
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.
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPjTkhIWBb
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2wf7omPod
Nao: “It’s too late to back out now.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81cPjezeLQ
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkG76olmcUV
*Sigh*
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCliJwrYEy
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwn1yhdqRc1
Nao: “ So this is the cost of being the main character. I’ll know when this ends if the price was worth it.”432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7JNOiRfg8
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIa0YL9UUR
Arc?432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymF5iqfXmx
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EqRRfqbc9
Arc: “Yes?”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQyWJwmADL
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyJvTux1cw
How’s my body?
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyZgPkJ9WE
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhlLFgzskr
Arc: “Healing well enough. Speaking of healing…”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3e27gDZ4ez
*Ding*432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKyr0AZckS
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyXe7nChl8
Points: 6432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57sVfSiG3o
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXuQNY8QDD
Arc: “You did well over 10 spells today.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIs3H3W7sk
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNYcezmm22
Good, I need those points if I’m going to beat the King next time.
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2w1wrpJI1C
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWXGAKygPb
*Door open*
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSjtk82Wph
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzyCVD78FY
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?
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqR5yO8BDB
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZEiO7Rokr
Nell: “Nao, are you okay!”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzSQO7vSM3
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbcv2FMbWH
Nao: “I’m okay, mom. Sorry they had to call you from work.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQksNHRzsr
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOsoVWdXPs
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.
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0ovGdURJw
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpxxHXF1K8
Nell: “You promised…”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGGqKqNJbW
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sJgu8IlKs
Nao: “Mom I-”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0wfC6NQBD
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbcXEhtd73
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.
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AHdsQ2sq7
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DavsFjXO6
Nell: “You broke your promise and got into fights. Even Alyson seems shaken by what she saw you do.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajGIjbTdP1
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMWP302nNp
Nao: “But-”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58tqn4O5mT
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVAPETfJHh
Nell: “Nao, you’ve been suspended from school for a month.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7lVWEFuzr
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lOSZgsR80
Nao: “!”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlaNF59IKS
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPfJMGH9gx
Nao: “What about those bullies?! Don’t tell me they get to go free!”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBG6rCoDyH
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKAhiaKY5h
Nell: “Nao, you beat one of them so bad that they might not make it.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxTUfny7MN
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGT1JydKCX
Nao: “!!”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4hI8G4Kg7
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrU25ikWBWj
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.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKkkFoD03t
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmCVTHqWv1
Nell: “Why didn’t you tell me…we could have done something….anything but this...”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBwmFYqzRV
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡel6gcSuCVz
I couldn’t say anything…she’s right. I already killed 3 people and now this….
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmevGIMAKP
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmORRRwqP89
What am I becoming?
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqed1mwll1X
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSDZolbHwa
Arc: “What’s necessary.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaS2wzZVN0
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDMQdLCd5z
W-What?
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4AzCDnxO3
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacZEKhsUFy
Nell: “Nao, despite everything you’ve done I forgive you for breaking that promise.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnFp6QgS9W
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XRKK4PwpQ
Nao: “R-Really?”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGN8wtEjun
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbR3TitMfyY
Nell: “Yes, because I also kept something from you. Our…living situation is not the best.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDTeuSFRZq
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGxpE93scI
Nao: “What do you mean?”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYRL6eIwol
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzMaEDghkt
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.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRZKQP9FBY
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKWGMVV7Vh
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.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSJ26PrwM3
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMM9cyETmt
Nell: “I didn’t want to further burden you. I assume that’s the same reason why you didn’t tell me.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0uqavk0MK
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaAhX4j0Dn
Nao: “*Nod*”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJgfPxwtal
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrm0ZQuIZf
Nell: “We both made mistakes Nao. If we were more truthfully with each other then maybe we could have avoided this.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUVKSimfpw
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroCE697koA
Mom bows her head and I try desperately to stop her but she insisted.
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRimaLghas
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPONDCj2Oa
Nell: “I’m sorry for keeping this from you.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9fzatDLyu
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtOJvUBqLe
Nao: “Mom I…”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjyElA1AsD
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQwPegoeTb
I bow myself. As best I can in my situation.
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Qe8vXSdKT
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfB0R2Dm6fi
Nao: “I’m sorry too, for everything I’ve done and kept secret.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqEY8HujeJ
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopz3sO4kNV
We both bought our heads back and accepted the other’s apology.
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylTXa5ZjN3
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlUCmTN9UD
Nell: “No matter what happens, we’ll be truthful and rely on each other more from now on. Promise me.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqKkwcJ9es
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcdjpb5Ci3
Nao: “I-”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKStlvS2IU2
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7alm9ZsCxd
Nell: “Promise me.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwLS1IZQ0A
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0q1CNfE7O2
Nao: “…Okay. I’ll tell you everything.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3a8DoYiJ3z
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67Mkc91DHr
Arc: “What are you doing?”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05QxHxm9Ib
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfjLBEPhjC
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.
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKnbRut85m
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHDVuudlgb
Arc: “I don’t thin-”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0DkbB8R9v
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHNwptisGs
Nao: “Mom, I have something to show you. Can you draw the curtain?”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0k7BlQjfs
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUntswAvmk
Nell: “O-Okay.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLuxvsfIia
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3q63R1nrUS
*Curtains close*
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2snUvyAXR
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWttI2RyHu
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.
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyQWUKVRXF
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsdUDSG7G4
Nao: “Mom, I’m a mage.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3I2Y4ldBN
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HyPnhisOC
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.
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wQndJtFQv
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsMFuoRcIZ
Nell: “I…need some time.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgS42xqwSgi
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnz9ybTPoh
Mom leaves through the curtain and leaves me truly alone.
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbPtVuZSLh
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFPNyFFSkI
Arc: “I tried to warn you. Now with your damaged mental state, you’ll be weaker going forward.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWpiabCwCw
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQsqOL5npf
I tuned Arc out and sunk deeper into my bed. The harsh light bare down on me, burning away any comfort left.
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdovYCIVU1
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3za7qSleT
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.
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQC8jAaLS9
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡas4aeJjLU2
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.
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oK14c3mPF
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXM15oi5yR
I just wanted to sleep it all away.
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4idYHttJc
*Ring*432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDueGhK7JxO
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dCsyP1jpT
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.
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEAe30bpbT
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9rIhmbJ8v
I sigh and transform my head into Alphon.
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLyhcK9wrD
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAvVTB0CCf
Alyson: “Hey Alphon, I know this is sudden but would you like to come over?”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9GigIOvQR
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIstEeHylbQ
…Are you serious?
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSzmuDQtbp
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTWJSX3w3y
Nao: “S-Sure, what’s wrong?”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbALmknaKg2
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEWI1Srxr8
Alyson: “I just…need some company. A lot happened today.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JehzZGj7D
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNUS3eRS37
I can understand that, I suppose this can take my mind off of everything.
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMrjhkEjWL
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iQTO7Wudp
Nao: “Happy to help
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsK6yRih7BO
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7f2eT91WZ
Alyson: “Thanks, I’ll send over my address. Knock and I’ll come get you.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwS4euhgFo
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWddY82jYe
Nao: “Cool, I’ll be there in 20 minutes.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1m6pilSUT
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWB4ZgGWjj
Alyson: “Thanks…it’s nice to know your voice.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcI9PTyRoM
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBivIbbd9zl
Nao: “…Same.”
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqWvKVNRp1
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLEj7o6gae
I hang up and prepare myself for Alyson. Transforming, clothes, washing up, healing wounds, and mental prep.
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5YYD356DS
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb34fpDnEVR
20 minutes from now, we’ll use each other to forget our problems. I have no problem with that.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHe5iH1GvB
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