《Nora》


 Chapter 1 Circles

    Spot and stop they are not different for me at the very least. The former is when you are at a particular place, neither going nor coming, just a point. no movement, there can be motion but just in circles never leaving the place. No big difference for me, at the very least spot is the same as stop, but it''s just fancy for the latter¡­


    My name is Nora. We''re moving to another country because of work and when I mean ¡°we¡± it''s me and my mom, yes the job is hers. I never settled down here, so it doesn''t sadden me, exhausting if I can put a word to it¡­ I will not unpack my things from the boxes when we get there because I don''t know when the next ¡°movement¡± will happen, never made friends here. Let''s just say I chose not to be noticed just in my small circle and interact with people when it''s needed, same thing going to happen when we arrive at our destination and the next so on.....


    Circling the same spot knowing the outcome of things, everything being predictable, no anomaly, uncertainties. It''s just perfect


    ¡°Nora!! When are you getting your ass off that bed and start packing, we''re so late, and you''re still sleeping!! What are you even doing, don''t you think..¡±


    Mom''s yelling downstairs. She''s so loud I wonder if it''s a talent because I''ve never seen people so loud. Maybe she got a secret chip in her vocal cords, or perhaps she''s just talented¡­ aaah yes talent I wonder what it feels like to be talented never been something that happened to me. Perhaps it''s like puberty and I haven''t reached that stage, yet I guess or it is just a natural phenomenon. I''m just normal, or you could say ordinary, nothing special. I''m just¡­. There it takes effort to be ordinary. Might be it''s a talent ¡°mine¡± talent. I guess I''m special¡­


    We catch the flight on time. When I meant on time, thirty minutes late. Surprised, they waited for us. The flight attendants were eager for our arrival. The passengers I couldn''t say the same thing for, The flight was cool. I slept through it dreamt about riding a tricycle in a pitch-black surrounding, following a white laser like a cat moving in a straight line going forward, but I felt like I''m moving in circles


    Five hours later when arrived at our destination the city nothing special about it just skyscrapers, condensed air, engines singing in harmony, a city that never waits for anybody always moving forward nothing new just the usual we were picked up and brought to an estate looks like place for rich people I guess my mom falls in that category it''s an enormous upgrade from our previous residence spacious and well-furnished rooms, breathable air, the house is too big for two people makes me paranoid I stack the boxes my boxes in the closet never opening it, soak myself in the bathtub it''s too big I feel like I could drown in it if I get too comfortable


    Mom has already gone to work, and we just moved in it hasn''t been thirty minutes she''s a robot at least that''s what I call her, she''s going to come back late nothing new, next week I''m starting school going to be the same routine as the rest just in my circle, surprised mom came back earlier she bought food she''s not a great cook that''s what she says I can''t remember the last time she cooked something I bet it tastes.....


    High school, that''s what it says on the billboard next to it. Strange I''ve never seen a school advert before looks like a school for rich people still nothing new twin five stories buildings next to each other followed by two identical buildings still next to each other, I''m in year two missed a half the term I have some catching up to do. Walking through the halls which are so exhausting, found my way to the classroom time to introduce myself to the normal routine as always.


    ¡°?¡ã?¡ã?¡ã????€~`?¡ã¡ã?¡±


    ¡°?% ¡é¡Ì???¡Ì|?¡±


    ¡°Good morning, my name is Nora¡± as introduced myself, standing in front of the class staring into space, avoiding eye contact with everyone there


    ¡°¦Ð¡Ì?|~`¡Ì¦Ð¡Â?,¡±


    I worked to my sit as directed by the teacher, back straight, hands on the table, head straight, perfect posture, stoic face (my technique for avoiding interaction) I feel something so strong burning into my back so hot I could be obliterated, a stare I''ve never felt something like that in my entire life!


    [Hmmf you are going to to do more than that to get¡­.]


    The teacher rounded up and left, the class representative or whatever they call them came to my seat blonde hair, blue eyes, mild chubby face with a good jawline. She just has this aura of superiority. Her name was


    ¡°¡­. Tessa Fowler, as you can see, you have missed almost half the term since you came so late. I''ll make reservations to get you update.....¡±


    Her voice sounds like she''s inside water trying to communicate with me. I wasn''t paying attention.


    ¡°WHAT ARE YOU DOING?¡± A voice above me said it was like a dagger to my heart and reverberated with every atom in my body, I looked up and saw a girl¡­ blue dead eyes, non-expressive face, black bob hair, fringes from her bangs on her lashes even entering her eyes that don''t bother her, pale white skin so pale I can even see the color of her veins, contrasting with her lips pink, soft, moist...... greasy.


    ¡°AIN''T YOU SUFFERING?¡± Those words burnt into my brain. I don''t know what expression I was making but it was probably not a good one. The interaction lasted five seconds, but it felt like hours for me. She stood there staring at my soul disrupting my perfect circle. Felt like I was drowning, and then she left, I turned facing Tessa.


    ¡°......show you around the school. If you need anything, please let me know" like water leaving the ear and sound waves finding their way in, I came back to reality catching only half of what Tessa said.


    ¡°Umm huh yeah, thank you,¡±


    ¡°Okay good I got other things to attend to. I hope you have a pleasant stay and blend in¡± she said, leaving my desk and went back to hers. I wonder if she noticed that girl felt like I was the only one who saw her .....


    That girl that girl that girl that girl that girl that girl that girl that girl that girl that girl that girl that......


    From the moment I saw her..... Wanted to destroy her!


    She shouldn''t exist¡­ only one can¡­.


    ¡°Nora,¡±


    Brought back to reality by a voice


    ¡°Come on time to show you around,¡±


    the boy in front of my desk said, smiling


    Yellow hair, dark pupils,


    A smile registered on his face. I hated it. He extended his hands to me. I took his hands¡­ Oh? They are soft like a toothpaste tube


    I was surprised by it, but the feeling didn''t register on my face


    ¡°Um ok,¡±


    We left the classroom into the spacious hall. I couldn''t stand it, suffocating too much for me to handle, but all familiar Ali showed me around, as we head to the final stop, the infirmary.


    ¡°Isn''t the concept of elimination fascinating? ¡°Huh? Such an out of pocket question.


    ¡°Preventing or containing a hazard that will disrupt the equilibrium of a place, two identical things can co-exist but performing the same task can/will put in disarray the order and ranking of things in a particular place¡±This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    Oh, so this is the reason he decided to show me around.


    ¡°I like you Nora, and we want you to stay. I wish good luck in your endeavors¡±


    We??


    Wishing me good luck, he left me at the door of the infirmary.


    What are you doing??


    are not you suffering?


    Those words lingered in my mind as I walked back to the classroom.


    Hmm she''s already planning something, quick to act, huh.


    ¡°????¡ã¡é¡é¡é¡±


    The teacher left the class, nothing interesting happened nobody approached me just the normal routine, the mysterious girl still nowhere to be found.


    The bell signaled the end of school activities, as I stood beside the school gate, contemplating if I should wait for my mom or explore the city by walking home. And then she appeared in front of me, the girl..... My heart was beating so fast, every organ in my body were doing double of what they were meant to do, basking in the light of the dimmed sun who is getting swallowed by the horizon giving her pale skin life. Eyes fixated on me with every step she takes towards me felt like I was sinking, don''t know what expression I''m making, but she managed to make me feel this way twice in the span of six hours,. Why do I feel this way towards her, I don''t know.....?


    But I probably know I''m self-centered after all, the mouth of the mysterious girl part what looks like a black hole trying to suck me in. I stare at her with an expression I can''t comprehend.


    The words came out of the black hole.


    ¡°I WANT TO SPEAK WITH YOU¡±


    I can''t keep up with the girl, just looking at her is enough to drive me crazy, something I hate so much and love. The world blurs around me, my head aches ¡­. So exhausting, annoying. She watched me as I''m about to self implode, I bet she''s probably enjoying this. So am I ¡­.ah I''m so pathetic the roles should be reversed. I''m the one who ought to be doing this to her ¡­. The parted lips move again as those dead blue pupils stare at me, words coming out of the abyss.


    ¡°FOLLOW ME¡±


    That''s the last thing I could remember.


    Found myself in a coffee shop, head on the table. Still had this sharp pain in my head. Slowly backing up from the table, I found the source of my pain, those dead eyes staring at the window, lips pressed together, head rested on her hand, which were on the table. I wonder what she''s looking at, I know ......


    ¡°Oh you''ve woken up¡±, she said without looking at me, it seems like I passed out. How did she bring me here? Was she watching me while I slept? Sigh, it''s been a long day, an awful long one.


    The girl finally turned and faced me. She is beautiful which makes me angry,. That''s something. I don''t have, she shouldn''t have. If we are both the ¡­


    ¡° Coffee?¡±


    ¡°ah yes¡±


    The server approached our table and asked for our order.


    ¡°???¡Á??¡Á¡±


    ¡°Ice coffee¡± for me


    ¡°And you?¡±


    She turned, facing me, those eyes again.


    Words became stuck in my throat, felt like I was choking.


    ¡°She''ll take the same¡± yeah, of course, you know me that well. Our drinks arrived. She took a sip, letting the straw stir the ice, everything she does is perfect. That makes me angry. Staring at my ice drink without an appetite, thinking about how this predicament befell me. It''s nothing new I expected it, but it''s not within my circle an. anomaly I hated it and I love it ¡­


    ¡°You know the reason I called you here, so let''s cut the chase. We''re¡­.¡±


    Just empty air coming out of her mouth without sounds. That''s what it seems like to me, but I know those words perfectly.


    It''s the reason I came to this city.


    Breathing heavily, sweat makes my hair stick to my neck. Laying on my bed, stomach growling and the contents inside braided together. The outcome of the encounter with the mysterious girl who I still don''t know her name. I''m losing, she''s breaking me, but that''s my job.


    To sum up, I have a fever, terrible one. I''ve already missed two days of school, mom said with a good rest I''ll bounce back from it. Ok, doctor, what''s her occupation again¡­. I can''t remember. Everything went black, and I passed out.


    I woke up around six in the evening with the little strength my reboot gave me, I got off the bed and went to the living room, my legs wobbly, using the walls as support I can hear the sound of the TV


    ¡°~`?¡ã??¡ã?|~~??¡ã¡ã??`¡­.¡±


    Can''t figure out what they''re saying, so I don''t bother. Mom is sitting on the couch with a can of beer in her hands. She says they''re a stress relievers for her, I need that right now, just more years. I''ll found out myself how much of my stress it can relieve.


    Noticing my presence, she narrowed eyes, giving me an analyzing look


    ¡°Hey sleepy head, how are we feezing todaz¡±


    Of course she''s already tipsy. There are three empty cans next to her, something that looks like her work clothes are in the floor. What are they trying to figure that out my head pounded and my vision blurred?


    ¡°I''m not okay¡± I said, collapsing on her thighs, comforting as always, ¡­. as always?


    ¡° This first time your school have knocked you out on our tour, world tour, ha!!¡± Need someone to tell her how unfunny are jokes. I wonder how her coworkers feel about them,. They''ll play along?


    ¡°Please I want to stop touring. I''m going to die at this rate" bracing myself for impact, like watching a film you''ve already seen before knowing what to expect. She spanked me sharp pain on my ass.


    ¡°Language¡±


    ¡°Don''t worry, I think this is the final stop "she said in a serious tone


    ¡°I know how these random movements have affect you, things you had to throw away, feelings you bottled up and how neglected you''ve been. I''m sorry I''ve been a bad parent, all of this shaped you to what you are now, I''m not happy with it ¡­¡± She paused and stared at something, something I could not see


    ¡° I want to you bring them back those feelings, emotions you threw away I want us ¡­. to restart I want to be in your life this time, shape yourself the way you, want not letting external factors playing in"


    ¡° I want you ..... to be happy "


    Emotions drew up in me, I shift my head up her thighs, touching her stomach¡­.


    Warm


    ¡°When did you get serious, all of a sudden "I said in a meek tone


    ¡°Get used to it, I''ll be more serious going forward¡± she said laughing


    ¡°You are still warm¡± she said, running her hand on my forehead.


    ¡°How about I cook up something for you, and you run a bath?¡±


    What wait??? Cook up something where?


    ¡°I''ll just order, don''t want to eat something that''ll knock me out for the rest of the year"


    Pains appearing on my back to neck


    ¡°You think my cooking is that bad!!!! When last have eaten my delicacies" More like¡­. I can''t think straight, my eyelids are heavy.


    ¡°Fine, I''ll prove you wrong today.


    I''m making my special dish!!!¡±


    I''m definitely going to die today.


    Furthermore, I left mom in the kitchen to cook up her whatever disastrous concussion she had in mind. I ordered pizza, taking no chances. I wondered how I''m going to get them when the delivery boy arrives.


    Sinking in my bathtub with cooled water halting every growing mirage that were about to send me to the side, I relaxed.


    My thoughts reverting to that girl, I don''t remember what we talked about.


    She did something to me and I don''t feel ok inside. Emotions bubble up in me while I sink deeper in the tub.


    Emotions, huh? My mind going back to the conversation to me and my mom had.


    ¡°¡­. bring them back from wherever I tossed them huh¡±


    Sorry mom they''re already gone to the oblivion.


    ¡°Noraaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!"


    My talented mom''s voice echoed through the large halls to room and finally, my head. Hell!!!! The delivery boy is already here. I sink into my tub awaiting my fate I felt. sleepy. it''s cool, safe, tight, I was drowning.


    I found myself on my bed wondered how I got here. surprised I felt good too good that I can jump from my window which is on the second floor¡­.okay that''s an exaggeration, but I felt fantastic.


    jogged to the toilet brushed my teeth looking in a mirror, I may feel good physically, but I don''t look good. My hair is so messed up dark circles slowly appearing under my eyes, highlighting my dark pupils. I looked like someone who went to a football game, but I was basically the ball!!! Argh!!!


    I cleaned up, tying my hair in a pony to keep safe, let my bangs fall reaching my lashes, finding this disturbing, I trimmed them


    ¡°Yes perfect¡±


    My stomach responds telling me it''s time to fix him up too, haven''t eaten nothing for a whole day


    I''m still feeling juiced up, I headed to the kitchen, I stopped hearing a voice that I thought I''ll never hear again echoing through the spacious hall laughing, my mom''s voice harmonizing with it. No, no, no no, no no, no no, no !!!!!. This can''t be happening. I slowly forced my legs forward, preparing myself for torture. I wanted to go the other way, but my stomach won''t hear none of it, taking the wheel, it stirred me forward to the kitchen. Seeing my nightmare sitting next to the counter with my mom. Cizct he''s fifteen years old, he always spends the weekend with us. Without a coherent order, let''s just say he popped out, this just made me realize I was out the entire day after the pizza fiasco. The biggest problem is that he''s a pervert, a really big one but a subtle one. Maybe I''m the only one that sees the things he does while others act oblivious to it.


    Mom is holding a can of beer well. This isn''t going to end up well.


    I slipped behind her and taking the beer from her


    ¡°Oh Cizct what a pleasant surprise¡±


    ¡°Nana you look so big. How long has it been?¡±


    ¡°It''s only been a year¡±


    I wish it was forever


    His eyes already ogling my body, so annoying.


    ¡°I missed you¡±


    Yeah right


    Ignoring him, facing mom


    ¡°I''m hungry¡±


    ¡°I know I ordered your favorite yesterday, but you passed in the bathtub.¡±


    Stop reminding me urrrgh


    ¡°They''re in the microwave,¡±


    ¡°Alright I''m going to take a shower,¡± cizct raised one eyebrow.


    ¡°You two do some catching up,¡± saying that, she leaves the kitchen


    Taking my favorites (Pizza and fries) out of the microwave, I took the chair left unoccupied by mom and started eating


    Cizct looking at me eat with a smile on his face., which is making me uncomfortable.


    ¡°Hummp won''t go after her?¡±


    ¡°Ha!! I''m a changed man now, nana¡±


    More like a boy.


    ¡°Speaking of changes, you are still the same as always nana ain''t you suffering?¡±


    My vision goes dizzy for a second


    ¡°Do I look like I''m suffering?¡± I managed to answer


    ¡°You can''t fool me nana¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡±


    ¡°If you aren''t suffering then, why did you call for me to meet you?¡±


    ¡°I¡­.¡±


    Words stuck in my throat, unable to answer.


    ¡°That circle of yours, moving in circles, repeating the same thing, is annoying¡±


    No


    ¡° If you''re oblivious to it, would be so much better¡±


    Stop


    ¡°You''re breaking and will end up how they want you to be"


    Shut up


    ¡°And oh the anomaly, I bet you''re going to relish that¡±


    Aaah yes, the anomaly, something¡­.


    ¡°What are you even doing nana this is so sad¡±


    ¡°Cizct!!!! Cizctttttttttt!!!! ¡°


    Putting all my strength to my arm and slamming my fork on the table


    ¡°Are you deaf!!!!!!????? She calling you get out of here.!!!¡±


    Rage broadening inside me as cizct stood up, leaving the kitchen.


    ¡°Pitiful,¡± he said in a voice devoid of emotions.


    Breakfast left an unpleasant taste in my mouth, so I holed up myself in my room for the entire day,


    Ain''t you suffering?


    What are you doing?


    Bring those emotions back from where you tossed them.


    Those words lingered in my mind as I slowly doze off, feeling something pressed against my lips, soft hot air on my face ignoring it, not bothering to open my eyes I fell asleep.

 Chapter 2 Mask

    It''s seven in the morning. I''m walking to school, told mom I preferred. Walking, the air is damp, sky Is gray. The weatherman said. It might rain, I guess that''s obvious. I brought an umbrella, not taking any chances, walking down the street since we might get to stay here, bet its time I got used to the place. All I can see it is an ugly crowd range of emotions on different faces, anger, sadness, happiness, anxiety, despair, pleasure all under a mask, some with cracks leaking through, others plain and visible minorities wearing theirs with pride.


    I wonder what''s under mine. it scares me to find out. Bringing these emotions out of me will put me at risk. But it breaks when she''s around. Without even trying, my mask crumbles from my face, revealing the ugly emotions stored in there. She saw them, I wonder what she thinks of it, of me. I can''t let her win. We''re the same, after all.


    Turning to my left into an old street filled with old and odd buildings, the smell of wet rotten woods comforts me, grass damp with water, air without distortion fills my lungs, I feel light. Thinking back to what mom said, I hope we stay here for real this time. I left the street, climbing a hill. The school came into sight, towering against every building there. Has it become bigger? Or it is just my¡­


    ¡°Hey Nora¡±


    Interrupted by the voice of our class rep


    ¡°Hey good morning¡±


    ¡°Good morning¡±


    If perfection every had a physical embodiment, it''s her. Fingers well polished, shining like crystal. Her blonde hair falls from her shoulder to waist giving a sweet smell of apples lips red as roses, eyes glittering in the rays of the sun her smile revealing her snow-white teeth, just being next to her makes me feel inferior and depressed. I want to wear her skin I would like to kiss those lips wear her clothes I want to be her, I hate this.


    ¡°You came one day and missed the entire week. That''s an interesting impression you gave us Nora,¡±


    I''m already giving them impressions, huh?


    ¡°No need to panic. I called home and your mom said you were down with. A fever, I hope you''re feeling much better?¡±.


    ¡°Yeah, I''m sorry about that, my body got a mind of his own¡±


    ¡°You have to tame that body because we got a test next week. I already got you covered on the reading part,¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ Thanks," I said with a flush on my face. What am I doing? I move closer to her, our shoulders practically touching.


    She noticed it and turned facing me, holding my hands I was rattled by. It, I almost. Fell backwards. She pulled me closer, staring down at me. I''m a head shorter than her. Felt her warm breath on my face, those eyes burning into mine making me dizzy. I wanted to kiss Her. There''s just something about her¡­.


    ¡°You''re a mysterious girl, Nora. You''re the talk of school. Everybody wants a piece of the mysterious girl who brought them here,¡±


    ¡°I am¡­ am the talk of the school?¡±


    I''ve only been here for one day, ah I don''t like¡­ I hate this.


    ¡°Yes,¡± she said, ignoring the stares of the ongoing students. We''re close to the gate.


    ¡°You''re special, don''t downgrade yourself. "


    No


    ¡°You want this? "


    Why are saying this?


    ¡°You saw a chance of escaping and to our surprise you took it. Don''t give it up, Nora, we need you!¡± She said with a calm voice


    ¡°Let her take your place, don''t bother saving her, she wished for this. "


    My mind is going spiral


    ¡°Please stop,¡± I said, ¡°stop this¡± I said with tears in my eyes.


    She pulled me closer¡ª.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ¡°Nora¡±


    I opened my eyes, waking up to the voice of my teacher.


    Huh? Was that a dream? No¡­ It can''t¡­


    ¡°If you''re not feeling well, go to the nurse. "


    I realized the whole class was staring at me, the same as Tessa.


    ¡°No, I''m okay, sorry for passing out, I guess I got little sleep last night. "


    ¡°Oh, ok good to have you back¡±


    Huh?


    I found myself staring at Tessa, acting oblivious to my stare. She was writing the whatever was on the board.


    You''re trying too hard,. It won''t work.


    ¡°DON''T HESITATE¡±


    like a whisper her voice found my ear without turning back I already knew who it was.


    It''s break time. Not having an appetite, I rest on my desk thinking about whatever dream I had about Tessa. What does she mean by that..? Why did I have such a dream ..?


    What''s going on with me?


    ¡°UIMM hey¡±


    Waking up to voice, my vision still blurred, I stared at my disturber, an egged face boy with a baby voice I can feel the anxiety from him


    ¡°Umm hey ¡­ Can I help you¡± I said meekly?


    ¡°UIMM¡± he stood there looking like he''s going to explode any second.


    ¡°Yeah?¡± feeling annoying by it


    ¡°I know you are ¡­. new here, and have your plate full of other things-since..... Since you ar.are not in any club I thought"


    Oh, why is he having trouble with that.


    ¡°What''s the name of your club? I got nothing going on here, I might as well join¡±


    Desmond explained to me everything to me, they were slackers who used the club as an excuse to goof off and sometimes miss school activities and wanted to recruit me since I wasn''t that ¡°busy¡± second reason or maybe the main reason was to balance out the group which had a girl. Desmond said she just came to the clubroom and joined them¡­ and it''s been awkward ever since.


    Well, since I''m not that busy, I guess¡­. I''m a club member, hmm? Desmond left class feeling the good emotions, whatever you call them. I''m tired.


    Students leaving the school while the sun hung huge dull and dimmed, I went to my new club, still don''t know why I agreed to this. Desmond looks like a nerd and his friends will be¡­ But the girl, I wonder.


    You''re going there because of it .....


    Don''t hide it and act like a fool¡­.


    Do your job Natalie Nora¡­


    ¡°Nora?¡±


    Brought back to reality by again by a voice. It''s Tessa''s, the smile on her face this morning or my dream, whatever that was is, gone. Her eyes are narrowed, she looks angry. Did I do something wrong¡­


    Maybe I should start apologizing. Wait, but she kissed¡­


    ¡°Where are you going?¡±


    Brought back to the real world from the clusters rambling in my head.


    ¡°UIMM''¡±


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    ¡°I''m sorry, whatever I did¡­ I''m so sorry¡­¡±


    Why am I apologizing? What did I do?


    Tessa looking confused as I expected her to be,


    ¡± What? I don''t get it, what did you do?¡±


    ¡°Nothing I did nothing regarding your earlier question. I''m going to a clubroom¡±


    ¡°Oh, Desmond''s right?¡±


    ¡°Y¡­. yeah, how did you know?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I saw him talking to you earlier during lunch break. He does to, everyone, so i just¡­. assumed.¡±


    ¡°Oh right ok¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡±


    ¡°Umm¡±


    ¡°I better¡­ Start going¡±


    ¡°¡­. yeah¡±


    ¡°See you¡±


    Even though it was hushed, I heard the words she said when her back was turned to me.


    You really can''t change


    This is the most awkward interaction I have ever gotten, and it confirmed my earlier suspicion. She''s acting weird,. What happened in the morning was definitely real.


    I came to the clubroom, contemplating if I should comfort Tessa about it or play dumb. I opened the door. There is nobody. It''s empty not like empty empty. There''s a table surrounded, by chairs, a bookshelf filled with. old books next to, a window, a huge one and to the left of it a small dark passage. Peeping out of the shadow, a shoe , black socks contracting with a pale white skin. She''s here, why is she here? Sitting on the floor with a book on her lap, eyes closed, but she''s not asleep breathing inhaling exhaling perfect rhymes I want to stop that I want to¡­


    ¡°You found me, huh?¡±


    ¡°Of course you are mine after at all. ¡±


    ¡°When are you going to stop playing around and get this over with and¡ª¡±


    ¡°Don''t tell me what to do. ¡°


    ¡°What do you want to do?¡±


    I walked to her and sat down next to her.


    ¡°Seems like we are in the same club. ¡°


    ¡°Seems so,¡±


    ¡°Why are you making them act nervous?¡±


    ¡°They have never interacted with a girl in their entire life, that''s the only logical explanation,¡±


    ¡°But one of them came to me. That''s why I''m here.¡±


    Looks like they reported you to me, MMM. ¡°Maybe you''re just an anomaly, making them uncomfortable in the place they''re supposed to feel safe.¡± I guess that''s what the entire school feels about you and even me, I suppose.


    ¡°I see,¡± she said in a voice devoid of emotions. I turned to face her, face inexpressive as usual, staring into space. Maybe she wasn''t paying attention to what I was saying, not that I care. She got to fall in line.


    ¡°But I don''t feel like that towards you, are fascinating feels like I''m staring into a mirror.¡± That''s not what I intended to say, sigh.


    ¡°So I''m your source of amusement.¡± We sat there in silence. I don''t know how long it lasted, possibly a minute or hour, I don''t know.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I said with an uncanny expression. She turned her face to me staring, breaking, dissolving, laying to waste whatever I had built up with a loud irritating creak. They fell to the ground, shimmering and fading.


    ¡°Ok¡­. I''ll stay until I get noticed by them. Probably won''t be long, and it may last if I do nothing. Just being here is enough to get the job done. With a smile appearing on her face, a genuine one. I love what I''m seeing right now.¡± She said, swaying her head, looking at me, giggling. It all went dark.


    I woke up breathing my head pounding, my bed wet with sweat paying no attention to it. Too tired to move, I went back to sleep. It pressed onto my lips, the air on my face. It was soft and smooth became damp as it parts my, lips, shoving something moist and bumpy with a rough texture into my mouth, twisting my tongue. My mouth overruns with fluid. without resisting, I accepted everything and finally fell asleep.

 Chapter 3 Counter—attack

    It''s morning. I feel sore and tired. All my muscles ache. This has been a reoccurring trait. I don''t remember when it started, and I don''t want to know the end either. Staring at the ceiling while standing on the borderline between going to school or calling in sick, the latter is perfect for my given the circumstance of my fragile body. But I love torturing myself. I hop off the bed and head to the kitchen. My head is. Ringing, pain¡­ Stop, why are you? Doing this, it''s all futile, just come¡ª.


    Huh?, I found myself in the kitchen close to the counter sitting next to me Cizct stuffing himself with something I couldn''t comprehend


    ¡°I have to get out of here! ¡°He said, grabbing me on my shoulder with so much force. It hurts, desperation in his eyes.


    ¡°Please, listen to me. I need to ¡ª¡±


    Huh?, I sat on the counter. Mom was cooking something. Cizct was eating beacon and eggs. What''s going on?


    ¡°Ain''t you eating? It''s going to get cold,¡±


    ¡°Oh sorry,¡±


    I ate like a machine being implemented with a command. I turned, facing Cizct. He didn''t seem, paranoid, no expression of whatever I saw minutes ago. He kept a cool expression while eating. Noticing my stare, he shrugged.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Nothing,¡±


    ¡°Hmm,¡±


    ¡°What''s on your mind, Natalie?¡±


    ¡°I don''t know,¡±


    ¡°You know it''s futile,¡±


    ¡°I don''t Care,¡±


    ¡°This is just sad,¡±


    ¡°What do you want, Natasha?¡±


    ¡°I don''t know,¡±


    ¡°Na, you can tell me what''s on your mind.¡±


    My eyes filled with tears with a horse voice. I replied,


    ¡°I don''t I don''t know I don''t know I don''t know I don''t know I don''t know I don''t know I don''t know!!!!¡±


    The kitchen falls silent. Maybe it''s because I am. Alone, the kitchen is empty, the only breathing organism is me staring at my plate with tears dropping on it.


    ¡°I hate this,¡±


    ¡°Me too,¡±


    ¡°Don''t worry, you can come home.¡±


    ¡°Ok,¡±


    The sky is clear, the air is warm, the smell of summer. Walking to school is always fun. I don''t understand why I didn''t try it earlier. It''s pretty late, but I don''t care. With a hush, it stopped at the front of me, mechanical sounds bumming, the air distorted from the smoke followed by a heat wave that ravaged me, removing his helmet. He turned and faced me


    "Yo"


    "Hey,¡±


    ¡°You''re late,¡± ¡°So are you¡±


    ¡°Want a lift,¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Sweet air moving with a vroom blow over me. I like this. We were moving. Fast, everything was just blur or. wrapped. That''s how I perceived, at least my hands wrapped around his stomach. Hmm, warm, I felt safe. I could fall asleep here. I relaxed myself, blending in the wind, becoming one with it. My head hurts, I don''t care. I want to savor it, is feels nostalgic, Maybe I''ve done this before. Noticing me pressed to his back, he turned facing me, smiling. What are you doing? We''re going to get killed? But that smile is reassuring. I closed my eyes, felt like I was floating on the sea. The water is cold, it''s quiet.


    ¡°Nora,¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡±


    I don''t know how I was able to hear him, but I did his voice saint like. Hey, why don''t you talk more?


    ¡°How does it feel?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    He fell silent. We were moving fast. Fast. The sky blurs, moving in a straight line making. Me dizzy. My hands tightened around him, I relaxed on his back, aligned with the chilly breeze on my face. I closed my eyes.


    ¡°Moving forward is perfect, isn''t?..¡±


    He asked a question that needed no answer


    ¡°..... Accepting whatever fate lies ahead of you, the good bad and everything in between, and they accept you in their cruelness kindness. You see what we are doing right now is moving forward. ''how does it feel?'' won''t you try it and stop moving in circles¡­."


    Everything went quiet, and I opened my eyes found myself in the classroom with the teacher marking the board with a white chalk. What just happened? I was on a bike, and it went all blank¡­. I felt a stare, but wasn''t intense or soul crushing. It was mild and kind, made me feel at ease without turning me around new who it was, but I still turned facing her on the verge of tears. She looked at with a sorrowful expression, unspoken words but already knew what she wanted to say.


    ¡°I''m sorry I failed you,¡±


    The teacher rounded up and left the class. It''s lunchtime, I still don''t have an appetite. With nothing left to do, l left class to my clubroom hoping to find what ¡­ I know what I''m looking for.


    I opened the door, which lead to a noisy room, but it all fell silent when I came in, eyes eight eyeballs staring at me. Looking at me with curiosity¡­ attention.


    I hate it. Desmond and his friends, who are also my club members, were looking at me.


    ¡°Hmm hey.hello¡± I said with an awkward smile.


    ¡°Hey Nora¡± Desmond said.


    ¡°Yeah¡± it was quiet and awkward if I let it stay like this. It''s going to be like this from now on.


    ¡°MMM so. I see these are the other members of the club, right?¡±


    ¡°Oh, right!¡± Desmond, realizing what he ought to do.


    ¡°Everyone, this is Nora, She''s the new girl ¡ª member I''ve been telling you about,¡±


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it."Nice to meet you,¡± I said, waving my hands in their direction.


    ¡°Alright, this is Dave¡± Desmond said, pointing to the boy with no hair on his head, emerald black skin, broad chest intimidating.


    ¡°Next to him is Nelson¡± the boy with glasses and a bob of hair, He looks frail¡­ Looking like he''s going to break any moment.


    ¡°And Patrick¡± he looks so improper here, feels like he fell, hit his face and became handsome.


    They all gave me an approving look. And where''s the last piece?


    ¡°Hmm, where is ¡ª¡±


    ¡°I haven''t seen her since yesterday. I hope it stays like that¡± Desmond said meekly. He''s afraid of her, What''s there to be afraid of? Haha, I''m such a hypocrite.


    ¡°Ok, well with or without her, we have to move as we work to do,¡±


    ¡°Work!?¡± Nelson said, as if he''s startled by the word.


    ¡°Yeah, work Desmond told me the main reason hey found this club, but eventually, we''re going to get caught.¡± we? Hmm.


    ¡°This is the journalist club, right"


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Dave replied in a thick and menacing voice."


    "And yes Desmond, since you''re the club leader, you''ve registered the club, right?¡±


    ¡°Huh er em mm¡± speaking a language I don''t understand and breathing like I have caught him from a grave crime.


    ¡°UMM, I told the club supervisor about it¡± he said.


    Of course, you''ll do that, sigh.


    ¡°Ok here''s the plan Desmond, you register the club and since this is the journalist club, we got some journaling to do. I heard from Tessa that the track team is going to the nationals Dave you and Nelson get information about their training, how they''re coping with the pressure, stuff like.that¡±


    do not know what I''m doing, but it feels good.


    ¡°Okay¡± Dave replied


    ¡°You''ll report the info you gather to me, Desmond and I will do the necessity with it¡±


    ¡°And Patrick, the archery team, I head there some drama going on their girls problems. Check it out,¡± A smile appeared on his face,


    ¡°Girl''s problems he-he,¡± he said, grimming.


    ¡°Alright chop chop, we go work to move out people,¡±


    They all left me alone. Peace and tranquility. I sighed and sank into the chair I''m sitting on.


    ¡°Why don''t you become club leader, you seem perfect at it¡±


    ¡°Oh shut up,¡± I replied, feeling her stare on my back. It''s burning and hurts.


    I turned to face her. She''s sitting in her usual spot, no difference from yesterday.


    "Why are you even here? What do even do?¡±.


    " You know why I''m here. You liked it, didn''t you¡±


    Ha stop saying that, I tried to control the blush appearing on my face. I stood up and walked across the room to the shady, dark corner of her residence sat next to her.


    ¡°Yeah, obviously,¡±


    ¡°So why complain,¡±


    ¡°I will not end this quick. It seems fun,¡±


    ¡°Well, I''m not afraid of you, you''re the least of my problems right now,¡±


    ¡°Hmm, so who do you fear?¡±


    ¡°Stop acting dumb, you know¡±


    Of course I''ll play the fool, you don''t know how refreshing you are to this boring course.


    ¡°I don''t know what you''re planning to achieve with this, but I''m looking forward to it" I said smiling, staring into space.


    ¡°You don''t know the amount of effort that''s been put into this¡­ Oh, I guess you know, so why let them suffer? ¡°


    ¡°I didn''t ask for it, but it''s good that they''re here, makes the job easier,¡±


    ¡°They didn''t ask for it either, so why are you forcing them into this? Don''t you think you''re contradicting yourself right now,¡± she said with an empty voice?


    ¡°They ¡ª they don''t know what''s good for them,¡±


    ¡°So you get to decide what''s good for them?¡±


    ¡°humans are incapable of decisions¡­.¡±


    ¡°I think what humans are really good at is decision-making. They have freewill born with it. Why are you trying to take that away?¡±


    ¡°I ¡ª¡± words refused to come out of my mouth. Why am I doing this again?


    ¡°That same decision-making lead to their destruction, and we''re trying to save,¡± Hahaha, she laughed


    ¡° ¡®We¡¯ you''re not one of them stop pretending¡° Stop


    ¡°why are even doing this? They''re suffering to bring you back. For them to do something that''ll cause them so much pain, you know how important you''re to them ¡ª to us. ¡°


    ¡°I''m trying to help them!!. Save¡ª¡± *You''re not saving anyone. They''re using you. Why is that hard for you to get¡±


    Stop


    ¡°you''re suffering, ain''t you?¡±


    I turned my face to look at her, still dead inexpressive face.


    ¡± you know nothing about me!!!¡±


    ¡°Oh I do, we''re the same after all,¡±


    ¡± you''re suffering, and they''re going through the same thing to save you. Why don''t you stop this game of yours¡± Nora stood empty minded with her mask lay shattered on the floor. Trying to hide the monstrosity from the girl. She walked across the room, with every will of hers on that task. She stopped at the entrance of the door, without looking back. she said, " It was fun I let you do this to me, but next time we meet you better be planning on an attack because the next time we meet ¡± she tilts her head.


    ¡°I''M GOING TO DESTROY YOU,¡±


    I woke up, found myself on my bed feeling battered. My head hurt I closed my eyes. It placed its flesh on my neck, it parted and bones came out, tearing into my skin. It wasn''t, painful it was sweet, it ran its flesh across my hair. Hot air spreading across my face. It placed its flesh on my forehead and I felt a warm sensation accepting my defeat. as I fell asleep.

 Chapter 4 MY NAME IS —

    Nora sat down on the chair. She relaxed herself on it. It feels comfortable. She steadies the chair back and forward with the tires on its heels in a pitch-black room which is illuminated by a thirty - feet tall monitor.


    ¡°Nora, what''s your plan? Time is limited,¡° the voice said, feeling irritated by it. Nora shrugged. " I have a plan. That''s enough for you to know.¡±


    The room fell quiet for five straight minutes.


    " You seem not to act on anything. They are flooding in. We won''t be able to control them if it continues like this, so we need to know your plan, Nora.¡±


    ¡°my plan ¡ª my plan, that''s my plan. Let them flood in they want me, don''t they? So, we round up as many. We can get, This project is for the anomaly, but we having them is a bonanza, don''t you think?¡±


    The voice didn''t reply, it seemed to be in the thought.


    "Nora, yes¡­ And about this project you started almost a year ago, why did you do it?, moving in circles. It''s taking a lot of time, which we don''t have¡­.¡±


    Nora''s anger seems to have reached its peak, but she pushed it inside but the abyss.


    ¡°This ''project'' you seem to be worried about has brought us ¡ª you guys  ¡ª more success than what you were literally doing before. They won''t even realize we captured them, nor will they struggle. It''s all going smoothly.¡±


    The voice broad ¡°Nora I know, but that takes a lot of time and that''s the last thing I''ll not like to waste,¡±


    ¡°Our fail rate is down 7.5% compared to the previous 45%, so do you think I''m wasting time?¡±


    Something is coming out of the abyss. If this conversation continues, Nora knows she won''t be able to control it.


    ¡°No Nora, we are pleased with it, but there''s something about this project ¡ª the way you act makes us think¡ª¡±


    ¡± I''m not deluded I''m not¡±


    It''s stirring up down the dark as she feels it.


    She can''t tame it, not like this.


    ¡°This project Nora, it''s depleting you, your link is too low we can''t keep you safe,¡±


    Or you can''t monitor me, Nora thought.


    ¡°And your brain activities are overwhelming, it might break¡­¡±


    ¡°I can manage just fine,¡± Nora shot back.


    " We know, Nora, but your brain can''t handle this. It''s too big for you. And we noticed a second entity inside you, which we know you create. These are things a normal brain can''t handle, yes we know yours isn''t normal, but this is beyond abnormal. Your brain is falling apart. "


    It''s coming out, and she can''t do anything about it.


    ¡°I can handle this just fine. This is what I wanted. I chose it. And I know you are not worried about me, it''s just I can give you''re afraid to lose.¡±


    The voice did not reply.


    ¡± And I have carefully planned this project. This is the anomaly we''re talking about, the second-biggest thing you can. You get your hands on beside me. It''s going to take time and I don''t care if we don''t have any, if we mess this up it''s over¡± Saying that, Nora filled her lungs to its capacity and relaxed it. The anomaly she''s savoring it, saying that brought her some kind of ecstasy.


    "We know you want to ease their suffering, Nora, but what about you?¡±


    It came out, there''s no stopping it.


    " Ain''t you suffering?¡±


    Nora started coughing and fell off the chair.


    "Don''t you see how damaged you are?, Why are you doing this?¡±


    The dry air coming out of her throat turned moist and crimson. She splattered it on the floor.


    ¡°You have to stop Nora¡±


    Nora scratched the floor with her fingers, which got them destroyed. Her body overwhelmed by this anger, she screamed. Her head hurts, she''s in pain too much for her to handle.


    ¡° I can handle this just fine, stop!!¡±


    ¡°Stop interfacing with this. I''m going to cut the link so that I can be alone. You poking around is just adding to my misery!!!¡±


    She screamed so loud and lost her voice.


    * * *Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    I opened my eyes. The bed was soaked with sweat, my hair sticky, and to worsen it, my head ached. Seems like I just woke up from a nightmare. My ears are ringing. I got off the bed refreshed up, still feeling dizzy, and got dressed for school. I''m pretty late. Furthermore, I strolled to the kitchen. The TV is in the vol set to max.


    It tried to figure out what was being said


    ¡± ~`% ???¡ã?¡ã?¡± it''s beyond my comprehension. Trying to figure it out only made my head hurt. I entered the kitchen and found mom chopping onions off the board.


    Chop chop, the sound echoes through the kitchen.


    ¡°Mom, what''s for breakfast?¡±


    Chop chop¡± ?????¡ã?¡ã|¡Ì|¡±


    The sound coming out of the TV and the chopping board both synchronized.


    ¡°Mom?¡±


    Chop chop ¡°??????¡±


    ¡°What.....¡±


    It all went black. I found myself in a classroom¡­ In my classroom it''s half filled the teacher writing something on the board, just one digit ¡°1¡±. Huh? Are we taking binary classroom? My head started ringing,


    ¡°Ouch,¡±


    I placed my hand on my temples. Ahh, what''s going on?, I''m feeling dizzy. I felt a presence behind it came to my field of view.


    ¡°You''re a masochist,¡± she said before karate chopping my hand, with the table it was on into pieces and flung me to the floor.


    Sharp pain spread across my hands.


    ¡°What ¡ª are you doing?¡± A smile registered on her face.


    ¡°Don''t act oblivious. Didn''t you say I should bring my A¨Cgame today?¡±


    ¡°No way you took that seriously¡±


    ¡°I did and since their gaze are gone, I don''t have to hide anymore.¡± After saying that her blue iris shone enveloping her eyeballs, turning them blue and leaving veiny like marks around her eye sockets, her hair turned blue a proud one. Her hands reeling in blue flare, instantly her leg hit my stomach turning the content inside jell. My body broke through the wall because of the force and flung me across the corridor, I couldn''t feel the upper area of my body.


    ¡°Haaaaaaah!!!¡± I screamed. It hurt, my body was wet. What''s this?, Is it blood? Before I could confirm it, I saw her enter the hall and instantly, before I could react, her leg scattered my jaw. She was fast enough to hold me before the force threw me away. She flung me towards the ceiling with a substantial force my body broke through, and I landed on the roof on my back. I feel numb, my bones are shattered, my clothes are dyed crimson. My eyes are the only thing I could work on my body. I stared at the sky, which was gray and furious. The entire place is quiet, the only sound is of her shoes as she works towards me. She placed both her legs on the sides of my head.


    ¡°Are you in pain?¡± That smile is still on her face. I coughed out blood.


    ¡°You c ¡ª can''t kii¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh yes, I can kill you, dead or alive. You are still useful to us.¡±


    Every cell in my body vibrated. They''re reacting to something. My death that what they were reacting to, I twisted my body getting out of her grip and gave her some distance. Breathing heavily, still can''t fill my body.


    She laughed. "Oh, so you are afraid of death¡± she ran her hand across her blue hair then raised a hand towards the sky. Bent her upper body, the furious sky let out a cry which released a bolt towards me. Instantly, my body moved itself across the roof, missing me by an inch. The bolt scattered thirty percent of the roof to nothing.


    Before I could react to it, she appeared before me and punched my stomach, which bore a hole through it. I coughed out blood, couldn''t scream. This is beyond pain. I feel numb. My body fell on hers, standing, using it as support. I placed my jaw on her shoulder.


    ¡°You wanted to save them because they''re suffering. Don''t you see the major cause of their agony is you¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­. And what are you doing torturing yourself with this pretend or play you''re putting up,"


    She pushed me towards the edge of the building and whispered.


    ¡°Go to sleep" I fell, the breeze was cold, I love it. Wish I could stay like this forever.


    They''re suffering because of you, Why don''t stop? This, why are you doing this? Are not you suffering?


    I opened my eyes.


    ¡°I''m doing all of this because of them!!¡±


    My heart beat faster than it intended to, my veins complained and was furious red flare appeared on my hands. In an instant, I landed on one knee, placed on the floor. I pushed myself up with an astonishing speed, catching her off guard.


    I slammed her with my leg back into the building through the roof.


    Her impact with the floor left a massive crater. I land on top of her, knocking the air out of her lungs. Grabbing her by the neck, I slammed her on the wall, my hands still on her neck. She struggled to get free of my grip with both hands, but it was futile.


    ¡°Just like you said earlier, we need you either dead or alive,¡± I said with a smirk on my face. Her blue eyes reflect my mine, which are crimson red. I tightened the grip on her neck, and it made a crackling sound. She stopped moving. Her hair turned to its normal color, pitch black.


    The hall was quiet. I felt something heavy on my chest. What''s this?, Is it remorse arrrghhh I don''t feel good.


    ¡°Haha,¡±


    Like a hush, a laugh escapes her lips.


    ¡°You''re wonderful, Nora. I love you,¡±


    She placed on hands on my stomach. Blue flares enveloped every cell in my body. I''m burning. I don''t know if I''m was laughing or screaming.


    ¡°Noooo!!!¡± a voice echoed in the hallway. I knew that voice, gentle voice. She was running towards us with tears in her eyes. Just seeing her gives me tranquility in this agonizing state.


    ¡°Goodbye Nora. " that was the last thing I heard.


    * * *


    Nora opened her to a LED light on the ceiling, which was moving or rather moving on a bed surrounded by people.


    ¡°Check her blood pressure,¡±


    ¡°Her heartbeat is low,¡±


    ¡°Fractured skull, broken pelvic¡­¡±


    ¡°I don''t think she''s going to make it. "


    The blonde girl next to Nora spoke


    ¡°Why do you have to beat her to this state¡± she seemed angry. Looking at the black bob haired girl with glasses. The girl replied.


    ¡°She won''t come willingly, so I had to use force, which came with resistance.¡±


    ¡°But you¡ª¡± she tried to reply, but Nora, who realized where she was interrupted her.


    ¡°No I''m outside no, no no, no stop,¡±


    The blonde girl placed her hand on Nora''s cheek.


    ¡°Hush, don''t speak, save your energy,¡±


    Nora became restless.


    ¡°I have to go back, no, no, no, no !!¡±


    ¡°Everybody, step back ¡ª¡± before the girl with the glasses could complete her sentence. Nora let out a flare that consumed everybody.


    * * *


    I found in a classroom which was empty, but she was there the girl, a string tied around her neck which leads to my pinky finger still tied to it. She''s standing in the doorway.


    ¡° I can''t defeat you"


    ¡°I know the same here"


    ¡° I have to find another way"


    ¡°Same"


    ¡° You''re strong¡±


    ¡° I know same with you¡±


    ¡°But pitiful¡±


    ¡° See around Nora"


    Before she could go. I stopped her.


    ¡° I have you under my control¡±


    ¡° Oh, you think so ?¡±


    ¡°What''s your name?¡±


    ¡° How rude of me I didn''t tell you"


    ¡° MY NAME IS¡ª"


    Her lips moved but no sound I read them. The air vibrated, sending a wave to my ears.


    And it went all dark.


    I woke up feeling battered, my body felt numb, it placed its elongated flesh around my, stomach giving me warmth.


    It whispered in my ears, and I fell asleep.

 Chapter 5 Control part 1

    Waking to a weird sound, it''s loud and screeching. I can''t wrap my head around it. It''s Loud, ringing in my head and painful. I placed both my hands on my ears


    ¡°Stop pp!!!¡±


    The sound just kept getting louder


    ¡°?????? ¡ª N" ¡°Huh?¡± I heard a voice.


    ¡°??????? ¡ª No.....¡±


    ¡°????¡Ì~`€¡Ì¡Ì ¡ª Nora give back¡ª¡±


    ¡°???????? access ¡ª you g on die¡±


    The sound stopped. I felt something dripping on from my nose, blood. My eyes hurt. Leaving the bed, I went to the bathroom and took a look in the mirror there.


    Ahh, I look odious. Dark cycles around my eyes are getting worse. My hair is a mess, do I even look in a mirror when I go to school? I freshened up and tied my hair backwards into a ponytail.


    Speaking of school, today is Saturday. It might be the first Saturday I have experienced here. Leaving my room. I found my way to the living room and fell on the couch.


    ¡°Nora breakfast now" Shrugged I stood up reluctantly and headed to the kitchen, sat next to the counter ah bacon and egg repetitive as usual. I shoved them into my mouth.


    ¡°So, how''s going for you? ¡°


    ¡° Nothing special lately, nor that I can think of¡±


    ¡° Soo¡­¡±


    ¡°Hmm?¡±


    ¡°I heard you joined a club¡ª¡±


    ¡°Wait how did you¡ª¡±


    ¡°Who is giving you this info¡±


    ¡°Let''s just say I keep in touch with your school¡±


    Good parenting for once, hmmm.


    ¡° You''ve made any friends?¡±


    ¡°Arrrrr¡±


    Only two people came to mind. I don''t think we have that type of relationship.


    ¡°Regardless¡± she placed her hands on mine and squeezed.


    ¡°I''m happy you''re fitting in"Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    ¡°Yeah¡±


    ¡°Since today is Saturday, why you do some exploring? This city is big enough for that¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡±


    A place came to mind, somewhere I''ve been meaning to go ever since I went there once.


    The sky is clear and empty, the sun in its prime.


    I entered the odd street, the place always been lingering in my mind ever since I came there. It''s still deserted, the air still clean, the grass damp and the smell of wet rotting woods kept me calm.


    A building caught my attention made entirely of wood which are pass its prime. It looks like it''s going to fall any moment if a strong wind passes by.


    I want inside it, nothing special, just your normal household. The difference is that this one is suffering from abandonment. I walked to the kitchen. Looks familiar, but I can''t remember. I sat on the floor, using the wall as support. The air inside here gives a tingling sensation. I feel at peace here. My head stopped hurting. I feel light. I closed my eyes.


    ¡° This feels good¡±


    I''m running out of time. This needs to stop. Those people, two of them, feel like I know them from somewhere. Whenever I interact with them, I can''t keep track of things. Feels like another version of me takes over the wheels. Especially her the blonde one. Whenever I see her, the feeling of yearning always overwhelms me. I can keep track of things happening around me. I''m losing control. Need to end this before it''s too late. They came here to take me back, but suffering a great deal because of it. I''m doing all this for them. They know and still hate it. I can''t even keep this place together. I''m already broken. Even though I still need to end this the goal, that''s what only matters. Just need to keep pushing Whatever becomes of me, that endpoint, I have to reach even if I don''t see it. I''ll drag them forward. Have to leave a mark, it''ll be worth it in the end. Something significant. Yes, I need that.


    ¡°Something significant¡± I reaffirm myself.


    Maybe I know what this place is ¡ª


    I got interrupted by a sound, footsteps, it has a heavyweight behind it. The sound is getting closer and louder. A bulky man wearing a carton colored raggedy clothes appeared in front of me bringing with him the loud sound. His mouth is wrapped and blur moving at an astonishing speed. Sounds came of it, loud and eardrum crushing


    ¡°\???`?`^?`?¡ã¡ã¡ã¡ã¡ã¡ã¡ã¡ã¡ã¡ã?????????¡±


    I can''t comprehend it. He''s coming closer, each step has a weight behind it.


    " Link restore link restore link restore link restore no restore Ra restore link Nora"


    How did it get in, and I didn''t notice it? So, you guys want to finally hijack it. I was expecting it, but not this soon.


    ¡°Restore link Nora it futile , you you ????`?`?|` are dy ¡ª ing don''t let it go to waste¡±


    ¡° How many times do I need to tell you I got this under control?¡±


    The mouth stops moving and the thing or man, whatever it is, opened his eyes. It''s black


    ¡°Nora¡± he spoke in a clear voice this time.


    ¡°It''s not habitable anymore. From what we know, they all might be dead, except the ones here.¡±


    ¡°So just give us access, they don''t even have a body r¡ª¡±


    ¡°Stop¡± I said in a pitch voice, breathing heavily.


    ¡°I ¡ª have this under control. We''re going to follow my plan"


    The face hardened, its mouth twisted.


    ¡°We''re taking over, Nora¡± he started moving forward in my direction.


    Oh, this is bad. I stood up, panicking. But what is he going to do? It''s not like I''m going to get beaten to pulp. I steadied myself and controlled my breathing, red flare simmering around me. Before I could make a move, his hand pressed against my face, packing a massive force behind it and sent me flying across the kitchen, sharp pain spread across my back.


    ¡°Do you still have it under control¡± a voice from the other side of the wall said. I know that voice, all know well by now. Always love making an entrance.


    With nothing on my mind but pain and reassurance, I replied.


    ¡° I don''t think so¡±

 Chapter 6 control part 2

    The man came forward, grabbing me by the neck and stomp me against the wall with a lot of power behind it. Why are you doing this, thought we had an agreement? You got no use for me anymore. It can''t be without. Me, all my plans are going to fail. It''ll be all for nothing, unless..... The man placed his hands on my face. Knowing what he was about to do, I panicked red flare shimmered on my hands and with a scream; I blasted him away. Getting free from his grip, I started coughing. He stood up like there''s like nothing happened to him, glowing red, the same color as my hands. Did he absorb my blast? He started glowing crimson red like he''s going to explode at anytime? All my cells were telling me to run, my I still stood there. Crippled by fear, we tore through the wall to the other room. My left hand bent in the wrong direction. Before I could scream, he grabbed my face and smashed it to the floor, his hand still on my face. I know what he wants to do. He''s black eyed turned white, I can feel the something creeping into my eyes. I screamed, releasing a beam that blast him away through the ceiling. Breathing heavily, I coughed out blood. If I pass out here, he''s going to come back.


    ¡°You look so pathetic,¡±


    I followed the sound of the voice and found her sitting on a table, legs crossed. She''s wearing a black overall outfit. It looks weird.


    ¡°Seems like you love seeing me getting tortured,¡± she sighed and looked up at the ceiling.


    ¡°Why won''t I relish the consequences of your action, torturing you. It''s not like this what I''ve been trying to point out¡±


    She closed her eyes.


    ¡° Well, for your information, he''s going to do more than that. He will get access to everything, including you guys, if he continues. So if you want to save yourself and others, you better start something doing before ¡ª¡±


    My head got smashed into the wooden floor, scattering it. His knees on my head, I  can''t do anything, I lost control over my body. He turned me to the back and placed his hands on my head, eyes turning white again. I looked at her. Our eyes met and she sighed.


    ¡°I hate this" I know the same here.


    Her body flared, turning blue, she kicked the man from my body. The impact producing an enormous wave, he only moved from my body and not an inch further.


    As if he''s just noticing her presence for the first time. His wrapped mouth began to move


    ¡°Anomaly what a pleasant surprise. You''re here killing two birds with one stone¡± it seems like he can talk well. now, maybe it''s because I don''t have any control over my body.


    ¡° Nora, thank you for bringing her here. I''m going to reward you. But first you have to get me access¡± he started walking in my direction.


    ¡°Don''t touch her¡± she said,


    ¡°Oh? What are you going to do? Look at her" he grabbed me by the hair-raising me from the ground and off my feet.


    ¡°See, she''s already broken. All we can do is use her for what she''s made for, what all of you are made for. Don''t you see you''re this planet''s blessings to save it,¡±


    She moved so fast that my eyes couldn''t keep up with it, I fell back to the ground? The wall behind me scattered into pieces. They are fighting, loud sounds coming from different direction. They''re moving so fast. I tried to get my legs to move, but they didn''t respond. The connection between them and my brain is not there. They appear in the room and disappear,. It feels like teleportation. Oh, this house is going to fall I really liked it. I guess the wind is. here, the sound moved to the attic, living room, and back to the kitchen they''re teleporting. They''re moving fast, and I''m losing conscious. They appeared in the doorway midair. She kicked him down to the basement. Then she looked at me.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    ¡°No, you can''t lose conscious¡± she picked my from the back and kissed me. I felt something coursing through me. She moved her head away from mine, breathing heavily, her lips wet with my saliva. This was the first time her face had ever shown any form of expression. I got distracted from my trance from looking at her by a blue light. It''s my. hands. They''re glowing blue, and I can move them.


    ¡°What did you ¡ª¡± instantly he appeared and grabbed her hair, tossing out of the building through the roof?


    ¡°What did she do to you? ¡° He said with a stiffened expression. I felt fear. Was I always like this? What version of me is this, I don''t know.


    ¡° I don''t know¡± he placed both hands on my head, which covered it entirely? I just realized how big he is. Eyeballs turning white trying to get into me, he recoiled immediately, dropping me on the floor.


    ¡°What did she do!!!¡± He smashed the table next to him into nothing.


    ¡°Nora, give me access right now!!!¡±


    ¡°She''s not giving you anything!¡± She appeared through the hole she went out earlier upside down grabbing him by his back, her legs falling to the ground and head going up, she smashed him through the window. She came to me, holding back up.


    ¡°Can you hear me? ¡°


    ¡°Ye yeah¡±


    ¡° Can you move ?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡±


    My instincts screamed he''s coming. She was aware of it, she jumped, taking me with her. We Dodge him by an inch, the kitchen is damaged beyond recognition. My chest hurts. I free myself from her grip and smashing my knee into his face before he could regain his balance, sending him to the living room. Without even waiting for me. She went after him, so did I we caught him surprised. She gave him a punch on the jaw, lifting him off the floor. I went after him with a kick, sending him to the wooden floor which was scattered by the impact. Likewise, she grabbed him by the head and twirled him, sending him to me, midair. I let the flare on my hands, which are now blue stir releasing it at full power, vaporizing the house along with him, sending shockwaves through the neighborhood taking the building along with them. Panting, I went to her. Covered in smoke, her facial expression is back to default.


    ¡°Are you going to explain what you did to me?¡± she sighed.


    ¡°There''s nothing to explain. I saved you, that''s all.¡±


    I let out a fake laugh.


    ¡°You don''t get it, do you? As it stands, I can''t control this.¡± I wave my hands at our surroundings. ¡°I can''t protect you guys anymore,¡± she closed her eyes, feeling irritated.


    ¡°No, maybe you don''t get it. It''s this or you become a vegetable for the rest of your life. They''re going to take what they want from you and leave you in the dumps.¡±


    Her answer made me angry because she was right. I knew this was going to happen, but I wanted to finish this project before it did. This changes nothing. I''m still going to end it. Whatever it takes, I''ll do it. I grinded my teeth together.


    ¡° Quit your brooding and get ready, " she stood in a fighting stance. I looked over the house and was standing in the pile of ash, naked, steam coming out of his body.


    ¡° I''ve had enough of your silly games both of you¡ª come here now because the amount of pain I''ll inflict on you if you don''t, you''re going to hate yourself for it¡±


    His face stiffened when he looked at me.


    ¡° Nora, yes, as you know. This place isn''t yours any more it''s an open field. Anyone can get in and out anytime So defeating me is useless, more will come, and you''ll break¡± I said nothing.


    ¡°You said it yourself, this place is an open world and I hope you realize Nora isn''t alone.¡±


    ¡° Nora, get ready" her hair turned blue after she said that.


    ¡°Fools" he yelled, moving so fast you could mistake it for teleportation caught her by surprise before she could even react. He punched her in the face so hard it felt like her eyes were going to pop out of their sockets, The force was so massive it sent her out of the odd street.


    Tears finding their way out of my eyes, I fell on my knees and started crying. He turned in my direction.


    ¡°You wanted to save them, didn''t you?, This is the only way to do it. Let''s ease their suffering, Nora,¡± I closed my eyes.


    He placed both his hands on my face. This is the end I tried my best. Tessa, I''m sorry. I only caused you pain. You deserved better. Sorry ¡ª I''m sorry.


    ¡°You can say your apologies to her when you meet her¡± up in the sky Like a giant blue bird she crashed into us, sending us flying opposite direction.


    ¡°The way Tessa talked about you and praised and from what I saw back then, I thought you were a strong woman, Nora, but you are just a half-assed piece of shit.¡±


    Blue around her, she looked at me on the floor. I could feel her hate from here. Not only that, fear, anxiety, loath and anger, I can feel everything.


    ¡° Hey, what did you do to me?"

 Chapter 7 control part 3

    Well, something is wrong with me. I can feel all the emotions she''s giving out. This is weird. I''m currently stuck on a rooftop. Like literally, I was slammed into it. They''re still fighting. She''s trying to keep up with him, but he''s overwhelming her with his brute strength. She''s slow. Wasn''t like this back then. I wonder if it''s related to what she did to me. She''s afraid, but not for herself, but for me. That''s odd. She''s thinking of me when her life is at stake. Maybe that''s what they''re all feeling too when they came here to get me. They don''t care about themselves. Reaching the goal is all that matters. If they could understand that''s what I''ve been trying to do, it''s too late for me, but I can still manage to reach the goal for them. He''s gaining wits over her. She''s going to lose. I need to help her. I wonder what''s going on in her mind, maybe I should sneak a peek.


    ¡°Don''t even try that. I''ll kill you myself. ¡°


    She saw me. Can she read my mind too?


    Are we linked or something¡­. What''s going on? When did we suddenly have superhuman abilities? Where did all these come from? I stared at the sky. It''s smiling or crying, perhaps both. I don''t even know what''s real anymore. Different things running in my mind, I closed my eyes.


    ***


    The woman came to her with an irritated look in her eyes.


    ¡°How many are they?¡± She asked.


    The man beside her replied," twelve, they were hiding them underneath the camp. Some escaped, but these are the ones we caught¡±


    ¡°Why did you let them escape?¡± She said in a tone mixed with anger and calmness.


    ¡°There''s nothing we could do. They had people with. Foresight. They noticed us coming from. A mile, we managed to¡ª" a smile appeared on his face like he just realized something.


    ¡°Don''t worry, ma, they''ll eventually come back,¡±


    ¡°And why would that be? ¡°


    ¡°Because of her¡± he points at the girl with dark circles around her eyes.


    ¡°She''s what we''ve been looking for,¡±


    The woman came closer to the girl. She narrowed her eyes, with a stiffened expression on her face, then she smiled.


    ¡°Hello little one, this will be home from now on,¡±


    They placed her in a small room deprived of light, empty and filled with sadness and terror. She doesn''t know what happening. Her stomach rumbled. The only thing on her mind was food,. When are they going to bring food? She''s hungry. Lying on her stomach, she fell asleep, dreamt of a buffet of different foods laid right there for her to eat. Her mouth watered with saliva. She dug in, shoving them into her mouth, eyes filled with tears it was so good. She hadn''t tasted something so good in her entire life. She ate until her stomach reached its capacity. Relaxing in the chair, she wondered what type of food awaits her tomorrow. She was smiling and then laughing. The ground vibrated, followed by screams. Men shouting something she couldn''t comprehend. Opening her eyes, she found herself back in the dark room floating, people screaming underneath her. She looked at her hands. Her body was glowing red, Anybody who tries to get close to her turned into food. She realized that the room wasn''t dark anymore. Illuminated by the red light she emitted, the wall caught her attention. It was all entirely made from food, bread to be exact. She drifts off to the wall and placed her hand on it. It was soft, her hands sank into it. She tore took a piece, they laced the bread with honey. She took a bite, instantly the room went dark, she fell down and lost conscious. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Waking up, she found out they strapped her to a chair. Two people went talking on the other side of the wall.


    ¡° Well, this is more than we expected. "


    ¡°Do you know what did means? ¡°


    ¡° We''re saved. It''s all over, the agony, everything¡­.¡±


    ¡°We just need to control her¡±


    ¡° Her brain activities are extraordinary¡±


    ¡°This is god gift to us, and we must use it wisely¡±


    ¡° I''m so happy and tired I''ll inform ma"


    ¡° Yes, do that" ¡°Looks like she''s awake"


    ¡° Quiet, don''t let her hear us, just go" A man walked in, short with little hair on his head. She noticed he was handsome.


    ¡° Hey kid, you made quite a mess back there¡±


    ¡° What''s your name?¡± She didn''t answer, her stomach growl.


    ¡° I see," he replied.


    ¡°Are you hungry?¡± She shook her head vigorously.


    ¡°Ok then, I''m going to bring some food, and you will give me some answers, deal? ¡° She shook her head.


    ¡° Do not give her anything!¡± The big woman appeared. She shrank inside the chair, her hunger overwhelmed by fear.


    ¡° But she ¡ª don''t you see what she did back then, this was because of food. Why don''t we just give her what she wants ?¡±


    ¡°And giving her energy to do who knows what¡± the woman came forward, her skin dark. She''s bulky and a brute.


    ¡°You did something bad. Do you know what happens to children that do bad things? They get punished¡±


    ¡°Ma, let''s talk outside¡± Ma looked at the short man. They stood quiet for a while, then she left the room. The short man followed.


    They talked for almost an hour. The girl was hungry. She couldn''t think of anything besides food. She wished they''ll let her go back to the camp. At least she gets food there, her stomach growls, she let out a sound.


    They walked in, a third person followed them. A woman, she was smiling, her eyes made the girl calm.


    The short man bent down and placed his hand on the girl''s shoulder.


    ¡° Hey little one, you''ll be staying with her from now on¡± his finger pointing at the third person.


    They left the room to massive house. it''s biggest the girl had ever seen. The hallway is big and spacious. The air is clean, it doesn''t hurt the girl when she breathe it into her lungs. This is my new home now, the girl thought. The woman went to the kitchen and took canned beer from the fridge, emptying the content in her mouth. She sighed and smiled.


    ¡° That felt good¡±


    She took the girl and placed her on the counter.


    ¡° I know you''re hungry, so I''m going to prepare something for you to eat¡±


    The girl smiled, but it was quick. The woman caught it but said nothing.


    ¡°So, what''s your name?¡± The girl didn''t answer.


    ¡°Hmm, you don''t have one?¡± The girl shook her head.


    ¡° So why don''t find one for you¡± the woman seemed to be in deep thoughts, and then she spoke.


    ¡° What about Nora, how does that sound?¡±


    The girl who had no name became NORA.

 Chapter 8 control part 4

    I woke up to the sound of rain on my skin, my head ringing like I''ve been hit with an iron bat. I am on the floor. I remembered being on the roof. Before I blacked out, accessing my surroundings, I found out my back was touching the main road on the street. No sign of the girl or the. Man. The street was silent, expect the rain hitting the floor and the ice sounds of flame giving up. It was quiet. Maybe it''s because my ears are ringing. The sky is emerald black, illuminated by the yellow smoke rising high, greeting the dark clouds. This is art I said in my head, my body is getting cold. I can''t move my limbs. So, this is what it means to die. It''s peaceful, I like it. Staring right at me with those black vortexes of what you call eyes, hands extend to me. It''s calling me. A lighter me stood up from a pile of meat lying on the tar road. Every step I took, my body temperature drops. It was a relieving feeling. I was smiling, strolling over. Something hard-pressed on my neck, not this one but the meat that was lying on the floor. It squeezed hard. With a gasp, I went back to the floor.


    It was the girl, her face filled with blood, wet with rain and sweat. Her blue eyes stared at me with curiosity. Breathing heavily.


    ¡°This is no place to die. We have to get out of here before he recovers.¡±


    She steadies me off the ground to my feet. We started walking, then jogging and into a sprint. Her hands placed around my neck, using me as support because she was limping. She smelled of sweat and her hair smoke. I sniffed subtly. Then appeared right in front of us. He looked normal, no marks or injuries in contrast to the girl whose hand was placed around my neck.


    ¡°I''m tired of this. It''s getting boring. See, what I''m going to do is just kill both of you, or maybe you''ll lose some limbs hmmm¡± he stood in a thinking position. The girl next to me said, " like hell you would¡±


    Her hair turned blue, glowing in the dark of the night, nearly blinding me.


    She sprinted to him, the man had a bored expression on his face. He caught her by the neck and slammed her to the floor. Her hair gave out the light, returning to its original color, knocking her out.


    He strolled past her and in my direction. I started shivering, not in fear, but the cold. He placed his hand on his temple and sighed.


    ¡° Nora, stop this foolishness. We are here to help you. This place is overran by different pathogens and things we have never seen before. It''s starting to look like the dammed rock. Why are you doing this?, What''s your end goal? Just over one person, look at her, I''ve secured her so end this Nora, I beg you!!.¡±


    His voice echoed over the deserted street.


    Why am I doing this? I looked at the girl lying lifeless on the floor. It was just like staring at a mirror. Then it came to me again, the reason.


    ¡° No ¡­ I''m not ending this. The business is still undone. You can brood, scream, and hurt me. If you want ¡ª but this¡­.¡± I spread my hands over the place.


    ¡° ¡­.not ending anytime soon¡±


    His face hardened, eyes filled with death.


    ¡° I''m just going to kill you¡± Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    ¡° Very well as you please¡±


    ¡° I wonder who''s going to kill who first"


    Simultaneously, we both turned our head to the direction of the voice. The girl who was without life a few minutes ago stood right there, brimming with energy and blue flare. A ball of energy in her hands so big it might swallow us any minute. There''s no escaping it. All the cells in my body were screaming, reacting to my death. I screamed shutting eyes tight. It was quiet. I opened my eyes slowly. Both of them stood close to each other, their eyes wide with surprise like they''ve just seen a ghost. Staring at me.


    ¡°What did you do?!!¡± they said perfectly together.


    I accepted the colors flooding into my eyes. The landscape surrounding us has changed,. It''s hard brown with dirt and buildings naked with shock. It''s deserted, no life, like it sucked all living things into itself. This is bad.


    ¡° I I ¡ª don''t know ¡ª know I don''t know¡± I kept on repeating the same words, hands placed on my ears. Screaming.


    ¡°Even though I still have to finish this job with or without your consent, Nora¡± the man walked forward towards me, his eyes empty, face Stoic. The girl next to him was standing still, like her foot had taken root on the spot. With every step that brings him closer to me, my kneecaps turned to jelly, sending me down to the floor, waiting for him. I was paralyzed but not with fear. I was literally paralyzed, all my nerves stopped working. He placed his hands on my head, and it became light, filled with light. My mind fading away like a mist¡ª


    * * *


    Nora gave in to the man''s control, and he was exerting his will onto her (their will).


    ¡°You''re weak, they said Nora is so strong it''s going to take an army to tame her¡ª. But look how low you''ve fallen just because of her. You''re willing to turn yourself into a puppet,. Well a win is a win, and I''ll take it" the man pressed harder, trying to destroy anything left of Nora, rendering her an empty shell.


    The girl who has been filling herself to the brim with energy let herself explode with sonic Wham. The wave threw Nora and the man in opposite direction. Recovery from it, the man rose to his feet quickly.


    ¡°Why you ¡ª I should''ve finished you when I had the¡ª" a blow interrupted the man to the stomach. The girl shot herself and the man into the sky with a massive force. She made a sonic boom in their wake, which scattered the sound barrier, using the man as a shield. They were moving fast. She increased their speed tenfold. The edge of the world looms over them. The girl increased her speed to the max, slamming the man onto the edge. The barrier gave a sizzling sound, mixed with the scream of the man whose back was turning white. His insides white, the darkness of his mouth illuminated by the white light. The man who had mass became nothing.


    The girl was left with nothing but white particles of what remained of the man. Gravity was calling onto the girl, and she answered, she was falling without control. The scenery around her was spinning. The earth accepted her with a huge crater. The first thing that came to her mind was¡­.


    ¡°Nora¡± she ran to the girl who lost control. She was lying on her sides, her eyes opened which were furiously giving out white light. The girl on the floor named Nora was empty.


    ¡°No no no no¡± the girl above her panicked, placing Nora on her lap. Then hugged her, kissing her on the forehead. They both glowed. Blue light brimming inside them. Nora let out a cough. Her eyes were back to normal. The girl next to her lost conscious and gave in to gravity, bringing both of them to the ground. Nora was startled by it, She watched the girl quietly as her chest went up and down.


    ¡°How pitiful¡±,


    * * *


    The girl was unconscious or sleeping. I felt like my plug was pulled out and placed by in. The man was nowhere to be found. I bet those were both her doings. I''ve lost control over this place. I can''t let this go on any longer, with or without support. I can''t even use my ¡ª


    I shouldn''t even be moving right now (still her doing). I carried her to a nearby shade. Looking at her face, the thing loathes so much. It''s getting windy and cold. She saved my life,. At least I could return the favor in a minimum way right now.


    I laid next to her and wrapped my hands around her stomach and drew her closer. Her back pressed into me. She smelled of sweat, it was sweet. I placed my nose on her neck and sniffed, letting my tongue out. I take swap at her neck. It was salty and sweet. Closing my eyes, I fell asleep.

 Chapter 9 Worth

    It''s raining heavily and cold, we''re still pressed against each other. I don''t know where we are. There''s no single life out here. I brought us here but why, on that street, I didn''t want it to be lay waste. It took a lot of effort to make it the reason I don''t know. Seems like I have some memories I can''t recall. If I lose them, now I''ll never remember them. They''re still there in my head, but I can''t get hold of it.


    It''s tiring, I''m tired. The girl was still unconscious, It''s been four hours. But she''s still breathing. That''s a relief. She did all the heavy lifting, so I don''t want to wake, she should take her time. My bone aches because of the rain. It''s getting really cold. At this rate, we might freeze to death. Shivering, I closed my eyes and tried to sleep.


    It wrapped its flesh around me. Its skin was inviting. I bit it. It''s pushed me away. I pulled myself closer and pulled its scruff closer to me and kissed it and ended up biting it. Interlacing between kisses and bite, it made a weird sound, but I ignored it. It was whimpering. I got hit on the ribs, which brought back the cold, and realization came along with it. She sat in a peculiar position, her hands on her neck, which was filled with bite marks and traces of blood on her pale skin, are eyes were wet. Is it tears? I don''t know, but I know a thing for sure. I screwed up.


    ¡°I''m s¡ª¡± before I could apologize. In a pitched voice, she said," What ¡ª are you doing?¡± After saying that, she crawled to the corner of the shade, sitting down, knees on her chest. She has this aura of hostility around her, getting the message moved to the other end of the shade. The rain fell for six straight hours, and we sat there in silence. Tired of sitting like this, I broke the silence.


    ¡°I''m sorry¡± there was no answer.


    ¡°See, I get these¡ªweird dreams ever since I moved here. I really don''t ¡ª¡±


    ¡°You are still keeping up with this pretend,¡± her voice devoid of emotions. I couldn''t bring myself to look at her.


    ¡°It''s not a pretend, you don''t get it¡±


    ¡° Oh, I do, Nora¡­. I really do I know what''s on your mind.¡± Shot I forgot we''re linked.


    ¡° So you get a free pass to read my mind, but whenever I try to do the same, I get death threats talk about fair.¡±


    ¡° Well, it''s my life source you''re sucking on or do you want to go back to being a vegetable?¡± She said.


    ¡°No¡±


    ¡°Yeah right¡±


    ¡°You don''t know what''s going on in my mind even if you read it, I don''t¡ªeven know what''s going on in it. I''m just¡ª¡±


    ¡°Messed up¡± I turned in her direction and she was staring at me, her chin placed between her knees.


    ¡° I didn''t read it, never did, well. You could say I can feel what you are feeling right now. Yeah,¡ª I get it, you''re sorry stop it, feeling that way it''s annoying,¡± she turned facing the other side of the shade.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    " So what do we do now? How do we get out of here?¡± I felt rage in the other person sitting across the shade.


    ¡°Ok, ok fine, I''ll try something out. "


    I left the shade. The ground was sticky with mud, sigh this place a desert. The plain stretches far beyond the horizon. This place probably was a city or town. I searched my brain trying to find something any a reaction of somewhat, but I got nothing.


    He really did some damage before he left. I stood there watching the sun fending away the darkness from the sky. I thought of green pasture and my vision blurred or zoomed to a new scenery filled with greens and I can see some buildings right there. My vision returned to normal. I ran back to the shade.


    ¡°Hey, I found ¡ª¡±


    She was shaking, her eyes closed, whimpering and shivering. I ran up to her. Her skin is cold.


    ¡°Hey, hey, look at me¡± please. I tried to open her eyelid with my hands. Her eyeballs were round up inside. Oh, shit, I don''t know what to. Do ah, please don''t die. I caused all of this, If I''d just do what I was supposed to do, none of this would''ve happened. I was so selfish. I''m sorry you were trying to save me, but I was caught up in whatever this was.


    ¡°I ¡ª¡± I can''t even remember her name, she told me anytime I try to remember my head aches.


    ¡°Y¡ªyou can call me Jane,¡± she said in a hoarse voice.


    ¡°You read my mind¡± my reply was mixed with a laugh or was a cry? But I was relieved. She looks so frail and pale like a corpse, she could melt any moment now.


    It is unclear to me why feel this way after all she put me through. Why am I so scared of losing her?


    ¡°Why are you crying?¡± I realized my cheeks were wet.


    ¡°Oh it''s nothing, but you''ll probably know I guess,¡± I said in a low voice.


    ¡°I''m not constantly reading your mind, Nora, I''ve only done it twice before. I wanted to know what''s on your mind when I was about to kick the bucket. You''re really kind, Nora¡­.¡±


    ¡°¡­. And stop blaming yourself for everything. I did this willingly¡± she turned facing the other side, still shivering. I drew her closer to me and turned her face to me.


    ¡°Why are you acting like you could beat the cold you need me, don''t you?¡±


    ¡°So, this is the game you want to play? Hmm, yeah, I don''t need you,¡± she said, looking at me and trying to hold her shivering body. I stared back at her with a smile.


    ¡°Fine,¡± she said, wrapping her hand to my midsection area and pressing her face to my stomach.


    ¡°I need you¡­¡± I couldn''t hear it clearly because her face was on my stomach. She turned facing me and sighed.


    ¡° I like the version of you" version of me? What does she mean by that?


    ¡° Uhm, thanks?¡± Well, the situation became awkward, and I changed the topic.


    ¡°Well lie on your side. We got a long way to go, and you have to stop shivering before we embark on that journey.¡±


    We stayed in the same position as earlier.


    ¡° You smell like shit¡±


    ¡° I can say the same about you¡± she smelled of sweat, which has this sweat smell. What''s going on, that glands of yours?


    ¡°Uhm, is something wrong?¡± I realized I''ve been squeezing her too hard.


    ¡°Oh I''m sorry, nothing sorry,¡±


    Well, I can''t stop thinking about it. I''m a fucking weirdo. I think she fell asleep. Her pale skin has red blemishes. She''s this way because of me. I hate it here. I spent most of the time suppressing my urges. The cold temperature faded away, inviting heat, which was mostly because of the sun. I break away from her before I do something bad.


    " Well it''s morning time to move¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡±


    ¡°¡­. And thanks¡±


    ¡° I should be the one thanking you¡±


    ¡°I''m not sure if I''m worth all this. You should ask them to stop. I''m a lost cause,¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you''re not worth it, and you''re definitely finished in my eyes, but you''re the only chance we got, so stand up let''s get moving, to wherever this green land you were talking about¡±


    ¡°Hey about what you said earlier, this version of me. What do you mean by that?" She stood there in silence.


    ¡° I ¡ª I don''t want to talk about what I said when I was.....¡±


    ¡° Never mind let''s go¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡±


    We came out of the shade. The sun is already brimming with energy. The place feels warm, I looked at her, she was staring at something I can''t see.


    ¡° Lead the way¡± she said in her default voice.


    I started walking to the direction of whatever vision I saw and she followed. All alone in this isolation place.

 Chapter 10 under the tree

    It''s hot and dry, the sun is screaming with heat beams, my lips are dry. My headaches are back.


    Why are trying so hard to come


    Out? Please stay inside and let''s


    end this .........


    ¡° Who are you talking ¡ª, never mind, when we are going to reach that place¡± Jane said with her hands spread out.


    ¡° This is a fucking desert, there''s nothing to see miles and miles from here¡­" She''s angry and tired. I can feel it because I feel the same.


    ¡° I don''t know, just keep walking ¡ª and for a mute and mysterious person you''re really showing off lately¡± maybe we ain''t alike as I thought.


    ¡° You got the nerve to talk after what you put me through, I''m this way because of you! ¡° Yeah what am I thinking sharing her life force with me probably going to have an effect on her should have to know better. Put, she doesn''t have to put her frustrations on me ¡­.


    ¡° Yes, I''m going to put all my frustrations on you, you ¡ª you are the cause of everything¡±


    ¡° I didn''t wish for this. I was happy before I had this burden¡±


    ¡° Nobody puts anything on you. You wished for this, you wanted this. And I know you love this, why are you complaining now?¡±


    ¡° I''m not complaining you guys being here is stressing me out, it would be better if you weren''t here¡±


    ¡° We won''t be here if you weren''t our last hope. But you decided to squander it and what was the gain just nothing, I don''t even know if you''re worth it.¡±


    Stop.


    ¡° Why are doing this?¡±


    No


    ¡° You''re not helping anybody with this¡±


    Stop it.


    ¡° You''re suffering for what course?¡±


    AAAAA


    ¡°I guess you just love¡ª¡±


    ¡° Hey look a tree!¡±


    There was a tree next to us big, and it branches spread out wide leaving a big shade from this heat. Simultaneously, we both ran to it. The shade under it was cool and relieving, I love it. I bet she loves it too. I turned to face her. She had her back on the floor, which was mashed with grass. She''s staring at the sky, an empty look in her eyes with odd familiarity. I think I''ve seen this before.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡° See this proof I wasn''t lying¡±


    No answer.


    ¡° We can rest here for the day¡±


    Silence


    ¡° Do you think the fruits here are juicy? I''m thirsty, and I''m sure you are too¡±


    Nothing.


    ¡° Hey, I''m talking to you!¡± I came to her view. She looked at me with disdain in her eyes.


    ¡° Hey!¡±


    She turned her head to face the other side.


    ¡° Hey¡­.¡± I grabbed her by the chin and forced it to face me.


    ¡° Why are you doing this?¡±


    Still no answer.


    ¡°Don''t¡ª ignore me¡±


    Nothing.


    ¡° I''m sorry¡­. It''s my fault I was irrational and didn''t think about what you guys would feel¡±


    ¡°Even though I still don''t regret this, I wanted this regardless of the outcome¡­.¡± I took a deep breath.


    ¡°.....so take it easy on me and be¨C nice¡±


    ¡° Nora get off me, I''m tired, I want to rest¡± she said sighing expressionless. Seeing her do it made me happy. I don''t know, I love that part of her. It''s so familiar.


    We slept for five straight hours, it was evening, it the heat was mid. She was sitting down, her hands wrapped around her knees. Staring into space, I wondered what she''s thinking. I tried to peek into her mind.


    ¡° Don''t even think about it¡± she said.


    ¡° Hey it''s not fair you got to read my thoughts whenever you want but when I do it that''s when you draw the line¡± she didn''t respond.


    ¡°Hey¨C¡±


    ¡° Nora, let me be¡± she with a voice void of emotions.


    Hey I''m sorry I don''t know what''s going on your mind, just know¡ª so please say something¡­


    Still no answer. I''m tired of this. She is just sitting down saying nothing, just staring at something I couldn''t see, this is fucking annoying. It was windy, the breeze rattled her hair and her collar was pushed back revealing the bite marks I left there which was making me feel embarrassed.


    Aaah this silence is killing me. Since when have I been like this. I shouldn''t care, I love the quiet, but I don''t love this aaah I''m angry. This is not good.


    ¡°What are thinking about?¡± I said with a dry voice.


    Still not answer, I stood up and walked across the tree to her. I''m losing my cool ah I hate it.


    ¡°Hey!¡±


    She sighed¡± Nora I ¡ª¡± before she could complete her sentence, I shoved her to the floor, I don''t know what expression I was making. Probably won''t want to see it, my hands are shaking, I''m tired.


    ¡°Why ¡ªare you ignoring me¡± What am I going doing.


    ¡°Nora¡± there was a long silence, she closed her eyes.


    ¡° What do what me say why¡ª why can''t you understand that I''m tired, I''m not your source of entertainment¡± my mind went blank. It was like I was on autopilot, the words were just coming out on their own.


    ¡° But you are, were you thinking something else Jane?¡± I grabbed and drew her closer to me.


    Stop trying to bring her out, ok?


    She closed her eyes and sighed.


    ¡° I came here for a goal, achieving it is what I''m definitely going to¡± she opened her eyes, it was tainted with anger.


    And that''s what I''m definitely going to do Nora. I''m here to bring her out.


    I let go of her collar and got off her standing up, rubbing my temples with her hand.


    ¡°You don''t get it!...... Why can''t you understand this¡ª¡±


    ¡° Nora I''m tired¡± she closed her eyes.


    I sat down with my lips dry and thirsty.


    '' You can''t keep doing this to me''


    '' I don''t care'' I sighed.


    ¡° I''m thirsty¡±


    ¡° Do I look like water?¡±


    ¡°Maybe, possibly"


    She sat up and slowly opened her eyes.


    ¡° Let''s get out of here before it gets worse¡± she said that while crawling to me.


    ¡° Yeah, how are we supposed to¡ª mhmm"


    She placed her lips on mine, it was soft and warm. She parted my lips, her tongue touching mine. I felt a tingling sensation in my chest, my head was aching I tried to grab her before my hands reached her, everything went white and then black.


    *****


    The scenery changed, Nora was on the floor unconscious. The girl stood feeling irritated and tried potentially a little happy because she got the upper hand now. She placed her index finger on her left ear.


    ¡° Mission halfway done there are numerous uncertainties, but I think I have gotten some control here.¡± She removed her finger from her ear, feeling nauseous, wondering how long she could share with the girl lying on the floor. She was talking to herself, maybe to the girl on the floor or to no one.


    You are my source of entertainment too.

 Chapter 11 doubt

    The free world, the place that wasn''t free, the place that was sealed, was opened to everyone and everything.


    ****


    Nora woke up to a beeping sound, her entire body felt bruised. The ground under her was wet and sticky. Only one of her eyes works, the other one was covered in darkness. Her nervous system glitches she can only control a certain percent of her body. She wondered where she was. Her entire body pushing her to sleep, she wanted it tired and in pain, maybe it''ll make a nice escape for her, Nora knew this was going to be permanent if she did it. Filled with regrets, things not going as planned. Things don''t always go as planned, she didn''t hate herself for the decision she made. It was what she wished for but.....


    She closed her eyes, the calmness made her happy. Her head was not aching. The darkness welcomed her, and she accepted the darkness. Her scenery was going blank. Echoes of footsteps hitting the water that made the floor Nora was lying wet, it was getting closer.


    ¡°Hey¡±


    Nora knew that voice, its too familiar. ¡° Don''t you have unfinished business?¡± The voice said in a teasing tone, it moved the footsteps were cycling her. ¡° A lot of people are dead because of you but want to run and avoid it¡±


    ¡°Nora even death is a cheap price to pay for it¡±


    She knelt down picking Nora up" Are you suffering?¡± The question made Nora''s eyes wet, the question she was always asked. Maybe she could admit it to her guilt, she nods her head and buried her head on the chest of the girl who picked her up and started sobbing. Stroking Nora''s head she said, " there, there we have to go back you know you can''t just let it end like this¡± Nora nod her head, instantly the floor became water swallowing her. Nora gasped like has just been saved from drowning.


    ***


    Felt like I was drowning, my throat feels sore, maybe I''ve been screaming.


    ¡° Oh see you decided to wait up¡± Jane said apathetically. She was wearing a dark singlet with bulky trousers. I wonder where she got them. I can''t feel her anymore, what happened to the link¡ª


    ¡°Where are we?¡± I asked automatically. Jane shrugged "a cabin, sealed¡±


    ¡° What do you mean by ''sealed''?¡±


    ¡° Exactly what I meant¡± she said, feeling annoyed it didn''t register on her face but being linked to her for a limited time made me feel like I can read her body language though it might be the most subtle shit ever.


    ¡° How did we get here?¡± I said because the change of scenery seems so fucking absurd.


    ¡° Why does it matter we are saved¡± said Jane, she''s definitely angry, but her body language is as inexpressive as always.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡° Because we were in a fucking desert why don''t you get it¡±  I said automatically I don''t know what wrong¡ª


    ¡° I really don''t care Nora ok?¡±


    ¡°Ok that out of the way, why is this room sealed?¡±


    ¡° Because we are about to get killed by freaking monarks" she said unapologetically.


    ¡° What the f¡ª¡±


    ¡° Wait how the fuck did monarks get inside here this place was sealed and¡ª¡±


    ¡° Because you messed everything up it''s a free world exactly as he said because you let him get into your head and people are going to die, people you dragged here and the ones who came unwilling to save you everybody is going to die Nora. And it''s because of you, you''ve killed us all¡± her voice lingering with emotions.


    ¡° No that''s impossible, it can''t¡ª¡± Jane stood up instantly and dragged me to the window by the back of my neck. ¡° Look, does this feel real to you?¡± She said, pointing at the monarks, stony creatures with tendrils, six legs, crab like claws for hands and a hammer head. Creatures spilled up by the planet as a form of resistance because it''s dying, and we''re the cause¡ª


    ¡° Do you how many people are dead Nora¡± Jane said with her voice breaking. Something I want to avoid seeing,I dare not look at her. Keeping my head steady. ¡°I know¡± her grip on my neck tightens. ¡° I know Jane I know, didn''t ask for you all to come I just wanted you¡ª you could have given yourself in none of this would have happened¡ª¡± she turned my head facing her, I closed my eyes. I didn''t want to see.


    ¡°You set an obvious trap for them using me, they willingly came just because they saw a chance to save you. Nora they knew the risk and took it, same with you but as ignorant as you are. You foolishly allowed it, creating all this. You couldn''t even contain it. You''re unstable, but you still allowed us in. All your handwork for nothing, why did you do this Nora!?¡± Jane was breathing heavily I can''t see it, but I can feel it, my eyes still closed.


    ¡°Hey Nora¡± she said with a calm and relieving voice. ¡° Ain''t you suffering?¡± I opened my eyes instantly, her face was back to normal. ¡° See ¡­the loraks knew how unstable you are, ¡®a broken toy'' they''re just using you to get to me.¡± My throat was dried and tasted like salt.


    ¡° Jane, how did we get here?¡±


    She sighed and walked over to the chair she was previously.


    ¡°Me Nora¡±


    ¡°Are you a double ¡ª¡±


    ¡°No¡± so she''s the same as me, I wasn''t wrong then ah stupid.


    ¡°Can''t you stop this¡­" I said point outside. " Since you brought us here¡± she placed her head on the table.¡± No¡±


    ¡° I''m not like you Nora. I ¡ª made a big mistake and I can''t take it back¡±


    ¡° What did you do?¡±


    ¡°That''s not the point right now¡± I stared at her without saying anything, she noticed it and shrugged.


    ¡° See I took access of the place through you¡­."


    ¡°So the link stuff was just a ploy?¡±


    She sighed and sat upright rubbing her temples.


    ¡°I did it to save you¡±


    ¡° You could have just told me¡±


    ¡° Ok fine I''m sorry¡±


    ¡°What about the mistake you said¡ª¡±


    ¡° That''s not the main problem right now let''s find a way to get out of here¡±


    ¡°Well you brought us here¡ª what''s even this¡­ Where are we?¡±


    ¡° I don''t know¡±


    ¡° Really?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡± what is she hiding I need to find out.


    It''s getting dark and the monarks are still outside, unmoving like always.


    The cabin was dry and cold.


    ¡°Hey, is the link broken?¡±


    ¡°Maybe I don''t really know¡± I don''t if that''s true because I can feel something lingering inside me, an emotion that wasn''t mine.


    It''s just absurd on how it came to this. I wonder what happened to the people in school. Mom and T¡ª.


    I closed my eyes and slept after a very long time, the floor was hard, dry, and cold, but I didn''t care. I felt something wrap itself against me. ¡° Huh so you are cold you could have just said it¡±


    ¡°Shut and go to sleep¡± she said to my ear which gave out a tingling feeling.


    I wonder what she is doing. I hope she''s safe, I''m sorry I caused all this but can''t keep on blaming myself. Stay safe T.


    ***


    It pressed its face against mine. It was hot and welcoming. I was happy, it was happy. I placed my hand on her midsection and went lower, it let out a sound, it was embarrassing and funny. I moved closer to it but was met with some resistance, it was painful.


    ****


    I woke up with some pain in my chest. I didn''t open my eyes, but I knew, I''ve messed up really bad this time.

 Chapter 12 revival

    Her eyes narrowed, face stiff. Her teeth grounding against each other. Oh, I really messed up this time.


    ¡°Sorry¡±


    No answer.


    ¡° I''m sorry!, I don''t know what''s happening to me. Ever since I came to this forsaken city I can''t have a normal sleep these weird dreams. I''m tired!¡±


    She let out a sound and winced.


    Rubbing her temples, her lips curled into a smile, it wasn''t a happy smile.


    ¡° You said ever since came to this city?, How stupid are you.¡±


    Oh,


    ¡° Deluding yourself to believe this it''s gone too far Nora, are you even the "Nora" we know¡±


    I don''t know, what am I? Why do I keep having these memories that are not mine, unless¡­?


    ¡° I''m sorry ¡ª that''s all I can say¡± I don''t need to show weakness, not in front of her. I just need to get this job done and over with


    You just need to stay put for a while


    Nora, stop sending me all of ¡­


    ¡° How¡ª how are we getting out of here?¡±


    ¡° I don''t know¡±


    ¡°Stop telling me that! Of course, you''ll know. You literally¡ª brought us here¡±


    Her face produced a wicked smile, and she walked to me.


    ¡° Oh, where did all this resolve come from?, all of a sudden, where was all this when I needed it You¡ª¡±


    She points to my face.


    ¡° Made me do this. You let him mess up your head, which lead to everything that has been happening, now we''re stuck here. You''re basically useless. I could just leave you here¡­.¡± She muttered the last part.


    I looked her straight in the eyes and asked again," How did you bring us here, what did you do?¡±


    ¡° Why are you so fixated on that?¡± She asked, shrugging.


    ¡° Because I want to get us out of here ¡­.¡± And¡ª


    ¡° And why are you acting like I''m the only broken one here.¡± I can see through that mask of yours even though it''s a tiny crack I can see it, sooner or later, it''ll break and reveal what ugly truth that lies in there. I''ll judge you just as did to me, I''ll deem you guilty, break and mold you to my liking. Just wait and see ??¡ã¡ã?¡ã¡ã¡ã|¡ã?¡­.


    ¡°So how do we get out of here? There''s no food or water, and the cabin is getting colder. We might freeze to death, Jane¡±


    She runs her hands through her hair and sighed.


    ¡° I don''t know Nora¡±


    I sat on the floor supporting my back with the wall next to me. She sat on a chair with her calf on top of her thigh.


    We stay that way just staring at each other hungry and wretched, well you could say that for me. I don''t think I''ll be able to change anything here, maybe it''s all gone¡­, But the mess I made and everything I sacrificed will be for nothing. This debt is too heavy to carry, and the ground can''t support my weight.  I closed my eyes, thinking how it would be If I took other alternatives. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    ¡° Hey! ¡° Her voice echoed through the room. I opened my eyes.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡° Don''t you dare sleep, whatever cones into you whenever you fall asleep I don''t have the capacity to deal with it now¡±


    ¡°Fine¡± same I can''t deal with the aftermath too.


    ¡° How do we deal with this¡ªhow do we get out of here? The monarks are not moving, I ¡ª I want to end this for real this time¡± I said, taking a deep breath.


    ¡° You just have to get me outside¡±


    " But you are literally powerless you don''t have¡ª¡±


    ¡° Don''t question, just obey¡±


    ¡° O¡ªokay¡±


    She stood up looking at me her eyes slowly getting blue colors and bursting into a flare.


    ¡°I''m doing this because I got a job to finish¡ª once we''re back I''m going to end everything, this your game¡± I nod, I too still have a job to finish, and I''m ending it once we get back. It wasn''t fun, right?


    Nora, I couldn''t give you what you want....


    If I could start over and¡ª


    Shhhhhhh you have done enough


    Time to sleep


    The place went ablaze with blue flare. Jane tore through the roof with me on her shoulder, immediately the monarks reacted.


    ¡° This is your chance now!!!¡± Jane said screaming.


    Ah I miss this, air on my face falling a small moment of freedom. Jane, you did such an amazing job. I stretched my hand to the sky, instantly it turned red. Something made a yelping sound. It''s probably Jane, curling my hand into a fist, it went all black.


    * * *


    The little girl sat on a bed. It was soft, too soft. She had never experienced anything like this. It made her nervous. She was clean and smelled good. That made her happy, her stomach filled with food the lady who claimed to be her mom made for her. A roof over her head and someone to call mom and food! This is everything she wanted, but she knew it came at a cost. She couldn''t just have these things for free, but she didn''t care, curling on her bed and wrapping herself in the sheets. Nora fell asleep. She dreamt of a centipede going in circles chasing its tail over and over again. She woke up to a tap on her cheeks. Opening her eyes, she saw the woman over her smiling.


    ¡° Good morning Nora how was your night¡±


    Nora yawned she was well rested. And can''t wait to see what she''ll eat today. She nods and smiled to the woman next to her.


    ¡° Still don''t want to speak hmmm" the woman said, she seemed to be in deep thoughts.


    ¡°Alright, we got a long day ahead of us, come on¡±


    It''s been one month since Nora moved in with the lady. All she did was eat, sleep and learn the alphabet and gain comfort from the woman, something she had never gotten before.


    Nora wished it could last forever but today was different, they''re going back to that place where the big woman stays, just the thought of her made Nora shiver. They are going back because Nora is special, at least that''s what they think. Nora didn''t feel anything, no special feelings, nothing made her special. Three vehicles roll in to the mansion compound, they were big and armored. The lady and Nora entered inside. It was time Nora was shaking, the lady felt it and placed her hand on Nora''s. She had a sympathetic look in her eyes. They reached the place. It was massive. The building shot up to the sky, clouds gathered around it. The place was sad and moody. They entered inside it was hot and smelled bad, not be able to take it, Nora wrapped herself on the lady carrying her and squeezed her eyes shut. Trying to think of her bed, the warm water that made her skin tingled, the food that made her mouth watered. Things that made her happy, but this place was eating them up, anything with happiness was gobbled down by this place. Nora''s stomach twisted she bit her lip, they stopped moving.


    ¡°Well?¡± That voice, she knows that voice. Nora opened her eyes, there she was the big woman sitting on a chair which looked like a throne. Nora start to shake, her eyes filled with tears.


    ¡°Well?¡± The woman asked again.


    ¡° Everything''s ok, but she won''t talk. I need more time¡ª¡±


    ¡° That''s enough¡± the big woman growled her voice reverberated against the walls.


    ¡°Check her now¡± the woman was talking to the people beside Nora immediately they took Nora from the lady and placed wires around her head which was connected to a small screen on one of the people hands.


    ¡° She''s ok one of them¡± one of them said it was a girl with bloodshot eyes ¡°and much better than¡±


    ¡°Shut up¡± the big woman said. ¡° I just need to know whether she''s ok or not don''t say this crap to me¡±


    The girl stood" sorry ma"


    The big woman looked at the lady, Nora comfort, Nora mom¡­.


    ¡° One week, then come get her¡±


    The lady tried to protest ¡°but¡ª¡±


    ¡°I won''t repeat myself¡± the big woman said.


    The lady sighed and bit her lips. she turned and faced Nora. Kissing her on the forehead.


    ¡° Stay strong Nora, I''ll be back¡± her eyes filled with tears. She hugged Nora, Nora returned it. Warm and sweet Nora''s head became light, the lady hair smelled good. She stood up and left.


    The big woman stood up" take her to the testing base. We don''t have much time. If this doesn''t work we''re all going to die¡±  one of the people placed something in her mouth, it was mushy and warm. Nora''s scenery spanned she tumbled down and fell, and it went dark.


    * * *


    I dragged her to the locker room, she smells so good ah I miss this, she was surprised by the act, before she could protest, I locked lips with her.


    Soft and warm and comforting, she was to trying break free, But I pushed her back to wall, giving her no room to escape.


    ¡° Fuck I miss you" I said, running out of breath.


    " Nora?''


    ¡°Yes¡±


    ¡° Are the Nora I know?¡±


    ¡°Yes!, It was always me¡±


    Her eyes watery, she hugged tight, that golden hair, those blue eyes, her smell I miss them so much. Tessa, I miss you so much.


    Her hands still locked around me, her voice sounding weird and void of emotions, she spoke, "You shouldn''t have kissed me¡±.