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TFA MEGATRON POV

(After Tfa Starscream, Maroon, returns to his universe)

(Related to my Starscream Crossover comics!)

———————

Megatron knows Starscream is up to something.

He has been acting stranger, stranger than usual, at least. Sneaking longing glances at the halls, creating multitude of excuses to escape his presence, counting the cycles and hoarding Energon to an unknown location.

A location that not even Shockwave, his most loyal decepticon, could detect.

It is unusual- dare he say uncharacteristic for Starscream to not try and kill him for this long, either he has finally given up- (Megatron almost laughed at the prospect) or he is planning something big

Megatron knows Starscream is up to something, and it’s about time his wretched second in command started talking.

“You called for me, Lord Megatron?”

Ah, speak of the devil, as the organics say.

Megatron turns around and watches as Starscream reluctantly steps into the room, looking down, unwilling to look at Megatron in the optics.

(How absurd, what event changed you my seeker? You used to look me in the optics as you tried and failed to overthrow me?)

Megatron almost sneered at the sight before turning around to look at the screen. The cameras displaying everything, from the halls of the nemesis, to the very room they were standing in.

“When are you ending this charade Starscream?” Megatron growled “I beg your pardon…?” Starscream asked.

“Don’t think of me as a fool. You think I didn’t notice you sneaking around like a mouse and hoarding our energon resources?”

Starscream stiffened up and his face hardens. “I thought we were allowed to take as much energon as we need?” Starscream spoke up.

“Hm…” Ah yes, Megatron recalled. He did say something akin to that…though, he’s surprised that Starscream remembered that particular speech.

“Yes I did say that-“ Starscream shuffled backwards as Megatron steps closer “-That is, unless a certain mech is particularly known for sabotaging, assassinating and fragging up all my plans” Megatron leans forward until they were face to face “Sounds familiar….?

Starscream stiffened up and whispered to himself with a grumble “Of course I’m stuck with the only leader whose actually smart and sober enough to notice…damnit, I wish I had Jaspers Megatron-“

Megatron narrowed his optics and growled softly “If you wish to speak so willingly, don’t you think it’s polite to speak louder? After all, you used to love voicing your opinions”

Starscream hunched up even harder at Megatron’s words. “Or…you used to. And that’s the problem that has been….pestering me for the past few cycles…”

Megatron started walking around Starscream, quickly noticing how he stiffened up, his peds shifted in a simple defense position (As if that could save him from Megatrons blaster) and his servos flexed, as if ready to slash at Megatron if he made a single wrong motion.

“Just a few cycles ago, you were loudly complaining, reluctantly scouting, and plotting to kill me. A normal behavior coming from you”

“But then, in just one cycle, you stopped doing any of that. You stopped complaining, you stopped scouting, and you’ve stopped attempting to kill me….”

“So tell me Starscream. What, are you planning?”

“……” Starscream looked at Megatron, for the first time in a while, straight in the optics…..and laughed.

“AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA-!!”

Megatron blinked in surprise and glanced around. To see if there is anything else that has happened to warrant such an unusual reaction from his second in command. But there was nothing.

Starscream calmed down and wiped off a lubricant from his optics “Man…! Can’t wait to talk to Silver and Jasper about this..! Jasper actually managed to predict everything-! Word for word too! Damn, can’t believe I lost the bet…”

Chocolate? Bet?? Silver and Jasper??? Man??

Megatron was about to open his mouth and demand an answer out of Starscream before the Seeker stepped forward and bared his denta in a feral smile.

“Since you already found all the clues, i’m gonna offer you a..deal. So to speak, a very beneficial one too”

Megaton narrowed his optics and looked down at the cocky Seeker (Something deep in Megatrons spark purred at the familiar sight of his second in commands normal behavior)

“I am willing to give you the locations of countless energon mines, the location of the all spark and even where the Autobot are- in exchange for one thing! And one thing only!”

Megatron tilted his head and looked down at his second in command “And what is this ‘one thing’ you speak of?”

Starscream nearly purred in excitement and whispered “Let me leave the Decepticons” and Megatron…blinked.

“…Pardon?”

“You heard me!” Starscream leaned back with a smile. As if his words did not completely baffle Megatron to his core. Starscream leaving…?

“And-” Megatron cleared his vents and spoke “How can I trust that you will give me any of this….benefits?”

Starscream smiled again “Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed yet, Lord Megatron~ All our Energon supplies has been growing exponentially for the past few cycles!”

He spread his arms as he proclaims out loud “Our entire stock is filled to the brim with energon! I have already giving you a taste of what you could gain!! And all you have to do-”

Starscream stepped forward with a near feral smile as he yelled in enthusiasm “Is to let me leave!”

Megatron paused as he thought about the deal, it us true..and if what Starscream saying is true, which it most likely is (This fact made something in Megatron wither and snarl) proven by the very real increase of Energon supplies.

Megatron looked at the near hopeful and confident look in Starscreams eyes, as if he already knew that Megatron would accept. (Hah, what a disgusting look, you have never looked this hopeful, not since the day you joined my cause-)

The Decepticon leader looked at the Seekers confident face-

“No”

- before gleefully watching his second in commands face fall in shock.

“…Excuse me…?”

“You are not deaf Starscream. You heard what I said” Megatron cooed and walked away, chuckling in amusement as Starscream, splutters and speed walked in an attempt to keep up with his leaders strides.

“Why-?! I don’t understand-!!”

“Yes. You don’t understand” Megatron turned around, almost getting hit by Starscream as the seeker nearly tripped at the sudden stop.

Starscream stumbles back, his field leaking his surprise and fear (that delicious, familiar fear-). As Megatron calmly steps forward whilst speaking-

“Because, keeping you around now, especially with your foolishly revealed knowledge, will grant the Decepticons all the resources to assure our victory. You really didn’t think I would let you go after you showed how valuable you are now did you, My dear second?”

Megatron mocked and smiled wider as Starscreams eyes glowed in anger- (though there is something off in his optic’s- aren’t his optics supposed to be red…? I do not remember it being Maroon-)

Before he straightened up and bowed stiffly “Then I am sorry for waisting your time..my..lord” Starscream hissed out the title as if its an insult (and with how much venom he snarled out, it might as well be)

The seeker straightened up and petulantly grumbled out an “Please excuse me….” And Megatron watched Starscream scuttle away, not even bothering to hide his amusement at Starscreams obvious frustration and disbelief

(Foolish Seeker, did you really think he would let something of his go so easily? Especially one that has such knowledge?)

Megatron smiled and looked at the camera “Shockwave, make sure to keep an optic on Starscream, it would seem our Seeker has been..hiding some important secrets from us” the lens of the camera blinked at Megatron in agreement.

The leader smiled and walked back to his quarters, it would seem that some of his plans related to a certain seeker would need some…adjustment’s

Skipping Stones

Chapter 1: Seeing Ghosts

“Are there any spirits here with us?”

The rain fell, as always, pattering against the windows, droplets sliding down the panes. Lightning flashed in the ink black sky every so often, followed closely by the low rumbling of thunder.

Six hands placed firmly, determinedly, fearfully, with uncertainty on the planchette on the ouija board, surrounded the group of three. The flame of the slowly melting candles around them reflected their mixed emotions in which the darkness of the mansion would’ve hidden otherwise.

The trio tonight consisted of a small-looking, timid boy, whose thick brown hair curled in front of his eyes, quite literally covering them, though not covering his quivering hands. A girl with the sparkliest hairband, her eyes equally shiny with tears that were still kept at bay. Lastly, a girl with the boldest red hair with a shine of determination and adventure in her eyes. The three look to be about seventeen to eighteen years of age, with the bold red-haired seeming to be the oldest of the group. 

“Can we go back home please? I don’t like this!” The timid boy squeaked. The hairband girl said nothing but nodded quickly.

“Oh come on, y’all agreed to this! We’re not going till we have a sign, you said so yourself!” The bold red-haired scoffed, pressing her hands firmly on the planchette, looking up to the grand chandelier hanging in the middle of the ceiling, the patterns on the white alabaster shades long obscured by the layers of dust.

“Is there anyone here with us tonight? Please give us a sign.” The bold red-haired repeated, louder, her voice echoing slightly in the empty mansion. 

Of course there was someone, they just could never see. People come and go, hoping to see something, expecting to see something, only to leave disappointed. Their closed eyes never seeing, never noticing. Even when they set candles to light up the dimmest of nights.  

All focused on a board and a planchette. 

Oh well, I couldn’t care less anyway. So what if they couldn’t see, I’ll send them running. I always will. And this group was no exception. 

“Oh my god! The front door! It opened by itself!” The timid boy screeched and jumped up to his feet. The bold red-haired shouted a warning but the damage was done as the timid boy stumbled, knocking over a nearby candle. The candle rolled over to the sparkly hairband girl, frozen in the confusion, the flames flickered to her skirt and caught fire. The girl screeched, swatting at the growing flame singing her skirt. 

“Get it out! Get it out!” She kicked and screamed, knocking more of the surrounding candles to the ground. Scrambling to her feet, she rushed towards the open front door, under the falling rain into the thick fog, with timid boy following closely and hastily behind. 

“Hey! Come back! What the hell!” The bold red-haired girl called out after them in protest, her voice muffled by the rain. The two that ran could no longer be seen. 

The bold red haired girl sighed in dismay, holding her head in her hand. She got up and cleaned up the mess, putting out the fire of the fallen candles and gathering them with the ouija board and planchette. Then, finally sat back down, back against the railings of grand stairs, a hand running through her red hair that fell messily on her shoulders.

Silence fell again. The darkness returned. I blended out of the front door, which was still wide ajar. Rain was entering the mansion, splashing slightly onto the marble floors. I went up to the girl, approaching closer to her. 

I thought she looked small. Smaller than I thought. Smaller than she was before.

More rain seemed to have splashed in. She shivered slightly, bringing her knees to her chest. So, I made myself small. As small as her. Just for a bit. 

She mumbled something inaudible, resting her head on her knees, soft red hair spilling onto the floor.

“It’s warm here.” She said softly. “Maybe there aren’t any ghosts here.” She said, staring past me. Into the foggy rain. 

Chapter 1: Seeing Ghosts _end_

Nightmares

“Hey! Wake up!”

I felt a sharp poke on my arm. My eyes flew open and I instinctively scooted away.

“Whoops, sorry. Was that painful?”

My eyes met hers. Those glittering black eyes shone brightly in the sun’s rays from the windows. Middy smiled apologetically, a smile that could make anyone forgive her for anything. 

“Forgive me, Kate?” She pouted like a child. A 29 year-old child. 

I sighed, ruffled her silk auburn hair and cupped her face in my hands, rubbing the little butterfly shaped birthmark on her cheek. Middy was like a child in an adult’s body sometimes, or maybe more than sometimes. A ball constantly full of energy, an energy that I didn’t have. 

“All right, Middy. All right.” But it’s worth it. 

Middy giggled and kissed my hand. She bounced up to her feet, towering over me. 

I could already tell, without her having to say anything, that she was absolutely brimming with adventure. I couldn’t help but smile at her child-like excitement. Middy loved adventuring, exploring, and dragging me along with her. 

And I would follow. Willingly.

I got up and started tidying up the bed. 

“So? Where are we going this time?” 

Middy chuckled.

“Remember the cave we found yesterday?” 

I froze, and clenched the blankets in my hands. I looked up at Middy to see her smiling evilly.

“The dark and scary one?”

“Yep.”

“Oh no.

“Oh yes.”

--------------------

It was a good day. The kind of day where it wasn’t too bright or hot that it was scorching your skin, nor was it too dark or gloomy. The kind of day I would spend feeding the horses fresh carrots, dancing around the house, and falling asleep under a shady tree with Middy.

Oh hell no. Instead I stand at the entrance of a black hole. The entrance was huge, making it hard to miss during our previous exploration. We had shone our torch into the cave from the entrance, but the light showed nothing in the murky darkness. 

Yet, the cave seemed… alive. 

Well I’m just glad we didn’t decide to go at night. I shifted the quiver on my back and tapped a finger on my bow, assuring myself that I would be safe. 

Middy rummaged through her backpack and pulled out two lanterns. She placed one at the entrance and one further into the cave. She stood up, proudly putting her hands on her hips. 

Then I thought I saw her finger twitch slightly, or maybe her arm shaking a bit, or maybe her smile falter a little. I reached out a hand to see if she’s alright. But she whipped around and picked up her sword and backpack. “Alright, let’s go!” 

“Ah!” The only sound I could muster, and then I clamped my mouth shut when Middy turned to look at me. She seemed completely fine now. 

“You okay?” Middy asked. Should I ask? I took her hand, unsure of both questions. I smiled, and nodded.

“Let’s go then.”

--------------------

“It’s so… empty.”

We had left a trail of lanterns every 20 or so steps we took, but it was useless, since the cave’s darkness swallowed up more and more of the light. Without our handheld lanterns, or the glow worms scattered sparsely throughout the cave, we would have been in the suffocating darkness. 

“Yeah,” I responded. “The darkness isn’t exactly comforting either.”

Middy collapsed onto a huge rock, setting her lantern down on the ground. I joined her. 

“A big, dark, silent and empty cave.” Middy sighed, disappointedly looking at a glow worm crawling on her finger. “How depressing, I was expecting something more.” She flicked the glow worm away. She sighed again, leaning back with her hands on the rock.

While Middy moped around, I waved around my lantern, reaching out as far as I could. Besides the glow worms –even then there were very few of them in such a huge cave– there wasn’t a single living thing residing here. No insects, no creeping vines, nothing. This whole cave was not only dead silent, it felt dead in general. 

I lowered my lantern from the cave ceiling, down along the cave walls in front of us. 

Then suddenly, the cave wall disappeared into the darkness. I shifted my lantern to the left. The cave wall appeared again, only to disappear into darkness once more. What the heck?

I got up to take a closer look. Middy questioned, but followed closely behind me. 

Turns out it was actually two pathways, a wall separating them in the middle. There was an ‘X’ scratched out on the wall, with an arrow pointing to the right side. 

Middy traced it with her finger, “Someone’s already been here.”

Just as she said that, a high pitch screech came from the right pathway, vibrating off the cave walls. I winced as it rang in my ears, my hands halfway to my ears.

“Middy, you hear–” I paused when I saw the look on Middy’s face. She was frozen, almost like a statue, her hands in fists, gripping her sword tightly. Her eyes, wide and unblinking, fixed on the darkness leading down the right pathway, as if there was something there.

I’ve never seen her like this before. I gently rubbed her shoulder, and she blinked rapidly, as if I broke her out of a trance. 

“Don’t worry, I’m okay.” She smiled, but it was a different smile.

“We don’t have to do this, we can just go, and maybe do this another day…” 

“Kate.” Middy said firmly, “You worry too much! It's probably nothing, I just got a little shocked that’s all.” She ruffled my hair and turned towards the darkness, raising her hand and pointing to the darkness in a confident pose. “Let’s go!”

But I could tell she was still shaking.

--------------------

We ventured down the rocky path. This time, the cave seemed both alive and dead at the same time, and also somehow even darker than before. Or maybe it’s just me. We tread carefully, shining our lanterns around the walls. There was this uneasy feeling that there was something hidden in the darkness, just out of the light, just outside of our vision. It was unsettling.

“Woah!” Middy exclaimed. I whipped my head around just to see her catch her balance. “I think I kicked something?” She crouched down. It was a grey backpack. A worn out picture of a white crescent on a purple circle was printed on the front. Below it was a name badge.

“Martin Ward.” I read it out. “Is he still here? Why would it be just lying around here?”

Middy zipped open the backpack. A couple packets of bandaids, a water bottle, an empty lunchbox, an energy potion, and a book and pen with the title, ‘Martin’s Journal’. A dagger was in the side pocket of the backpack.

“This guy packed extremely light for a trip down a dark cave. Not even a single lantern.” 

We picked the backpack up and walked forward a few steps before finding a stray arrow abandoned on the ground, the shaft had another name engraved on it: Ekina Salters.

“Huh, is there another person here?”

Middy kept talking, but I started to tune out when I heard a quiet scuttling sound, like metal tapping on the ground. I placed my lantern on the ground as gently as possible. “Middy, do you hear that?”

She stopped talking and got to her feet immediately, her sword drawn and lantern raised, on guard immediately. The scuttling got louder and slower. We stepped back. I nocked an arrow, alert, scanning the ground.

It got closer.

And closer.

And then it stopped. Near my lantern, right outside the light. 

Suddenly, the same high pitch screech broke the silence, but it was so much louder. My ears rang, and my eyes started to water but I held my ground. A black figure launched towards us, the source of the scream. I raised my bow and immediately released the arrow. I heard a wet thunk and thud following quickly. The screech reduced to a gurgle and everything went silent. 

“Yins.” I recalled Middy saying to me one night, pointing to her drawings in her journals she had shown me as I was wrapped in her arms. The picture she pointed to looked like a beetle. It had black, slick and slimy oval body. The legs were shiny metal, the ends sharp. They have small, beady red eyes that could stare straight into your soul and instantly know all your darkest secrets. 

“They’re quite rare, but if you do encounter them they would always arrive in clusters. They would latch onto you, and dig into your skin.” Middy flipped to another page. A sketch of a Yin clinging onto an arm. Its metal legs dug into the skin, blood seeping out of it. “Many others will join and it’ll be hard to get rid of them, so you’ll either die of blood loss or sustain serious injuries.”

“Have you met any Yins?” I had asked, tracing circles around Middy’s arms. 

“No.” Short, curt answer. No “Nah I wish I did though.” or “Man I wish.” Just a cold “no”.

“No?” I echoed.

“No, I just heard these from a traveler during one of my travels.” 

“Anyway, you can get rid of them and just stab them, but there’s a catch.” Middy flipped to another page. A drawing of a dismembered Yin, an arrow pointed from it to a reconstructed Yin. 

“You can’t actually kill them, they’ll just keep coming back.”

“After all, you can’t kill what’s already dead.”

--------------------

“We have to run Middy!” I could barely hear my own voice over the screeches of the incoming Yins. There had to be hundreds of them, clustering around us, metal legs scratching against the rock floor, threatening to dig into our skin till we bleed.  

I tugged at Middy’s arm, but she was stiff. I looked back and saw the same expression on her face from earlier. 

Except she was absolutely petrified. Her hands were shaking, covering her ears, and she had dropped her sword.

Something clung onto my ankle and I kicked it away. The Yins were surrounding us at a rapid rate, I felt a sense of growing panic in my stomach. Middy wasn’t responding the way she usually did and we were going to get consumed at any moment. 

I slammed down my bow on a Yin creeping up to Middy’s feet. 

“Middy!” I screamed. And she came to life. I looked her directly in the eyes. It was the first time I had ever seen Middy’s eyes filled with so much fear. I grabbed her arms, squeezing tightly so that she stayed with me, “Snap out of it, please!”

Middy gulped, and nodded her head. 

“We have to run, understand? Grip my hand tightly and don’t stop running until I say so.” I grabbed her hand, and she grabbed her sword with a shaky hand. “Run!”

I kicked the grey backpack up and caught it with my hand which also held my bow. 

Middy and I ran as fast as we could, deeper into the cave. The light from Middy’s lantern swayed violently as she ran, our pounding footsteps combined with the neverending screeching from the Yins that chased us down echoing off the walls made my head pound along with our feet. It took my every will not to collapse right there and let the Yins consume me. Middy was with me, I had to make sure she was safe.

“There’s a hole there, big enough for us to crawl into, we should be able to hide from them!” I slid to a halt, Middy nearly bumping into me. I helped Middy into it, and crawled in after her.

Middy extinguished the flame in her lantern and we held our breaths. 

The screeches and skittering of metal against rock grew louder.

I shut my eyes tightly, a hand tightly over my mouth, another even tighter around Middy’s hand. Her head buried into my neck. I could feel her shaking slightly.

The screeching stopped, but they got closer.

My chest burned, aching for air. 

They were right in front of us. 

The Yins were slow, like dogs sniffing out its target. I pressed myself against the wall behind me, as if the distance between them and me changed. The sound of metal scratching, dragging, against the ground so near us was unnerving, like a train screeching to a halt on train tracks, like chalk on a blackboard, sounds that I wish didn’t exist. 

The Yins scuttled past, lingering in the same place just right outside of where we hid.

Middy was shaking even more, I squeezed her hand. It felt like a flame was lit in my chest, burning painfully.

Then, silence. LIke time had frozen. Then, time restarted again. The Yins started skittering again.

This time, however, they were all in sync, like soldiers marching in a line. And they were crawling away. They got quieter and further, until there was just silence. 

Middy and I let out our breaths, the silence broken by our ragged breathing. Middy clinged onto me, her breath hot against my neck. I’ve never seen her this terrified before. “It’s alright. They’re gone now.” My shaky hands found her lantern and turned it on. 

Two huge, green glowing eyes stared back at us. Middy muffled her yelp by clamping a hand over her mouth and I stiffened up. 

The three of us stared at each other for a good while. He had red, long and unruly hair that nearly covered his eyes. His eyes, now that I took a closer look, were like a cat’s eyes, his pupil a narrow slit, staring warily at us. He wore a black turtleneck and jeans, which were torn in a lot of places. His olive skin was filled with scratches and dried blood. 

Poor kid. “Are you, perhaps, Martin?” I spoke up first, gently as possible. 

Martin’s eyes widened for a second, surprised, then squinted cautiously at us again.  

“Hey, we got your backpack! Here.” I slid his backpack towards him. Martin snatched it and checked its contents. He took the dagger out and hugged his backpack like a teddy bear, the dagger ready in his hand.   

Martin looked a bit more relaxed, but I could tell his guard was still up, understandably. 

I put down my bow and surrendered my hands in the air, moving slower than a turtle. Middy put down her sword, showing her empty hands. 

“My name is Kate and this is Middy. We have plenty of food and medical supplies back at our house. It’s quite near this cave. It’s safe, and I promise that neither of us,” I pointed to Middy, who nodded, and then me, “Will hurt you.”

Martin’s expression stayed the same.

“I’m sure you’re a very brave kid, having made it this far. This girl’s been through worse and she’s shaking like a cowering little puppy.” I nudged Middy and laughed, who rolled her eyes and pushed me back playfully. Martin let out a breathy laugh.

“We also do need your help to guide us back out of this cave, since it’s, well, incredibly dark.” I nodded at him, at his night vision eyes. Those with green, cat-like eyes had night vision, which explained why Martin didn’t bring any sort of light source with him. “In exchange for your help, we will give you food and something more than those bandages.” Martin hugged his bag tighter, I smiled sheepishly, “Yeah, sorry, we were curious.”

I crossed my legs and extended a hand towards Martin, a sign of trust and peace. Martin looked at my hand and then up at me, at Middy at my hand and then at both of us again. Martin reached out a hand, a long scar that seemed to have been there for years already ingrained across his entire palm, and grabbed my hand. It was so small compared to mine, very firm too. 

“Alright, let’s go then.”

But he didn’t let go of my hand, he held on to it, and pulled a bit, as if he wanted to ask me something. 

“Yes?” Martin squinted his eyes, thinking for a moment. Then he rummaged through his backpack to produce his journal. He started to write, taking quick glances at us. He turned the book and showed us what he wrote: “I have a friend. They’re somewhere in this cave and I lost them and I need to find them, please help.”

Middy and I looked at each other in silent agreement, and I turned back to Martin, “We will help, where do you think they are?” 

Martin looked down at his book and wrote again, but he didn’t show us. After a few moments he shut his book and packed it quickly. He gestured us to come and crawled out of the hole, with Middy and I in tow. 

Middy and I followed closely behind with our lanterns. We didn’t run across a single Yin, as if they had all disappeared in thin air, like someone had snapped their fingers and made them all vanish in an instant. 

We ran till we reached the place before the paths diverged. Martin looked around frantically, but there was no one that we could see. 

I was suddenly pushed back by an invisible force. I stumbled back, Middy catching me from behind. The air in front of us rippled, and a person appeared in front of us, holding a bow, arrow pointed right in front of my eyes, Martin behind them. I noticed the arrow shaft had a familiar name on it: Ekina Salters.

“Hey… Are you supposedly Martin’s friend?” Ekina’s face scrunched up even more and stepped forward, the arrow’s tip ever so close to my eye. I felt like if I breathed my eyes would end up at the back of my head immediately.

Martin yanked Ekina’s sleeve, catching their attention. I felt Middy wanting to step in but I held her down. Not now. Martin signed something with his hands and Ekina paused for a moment, glaring back at us. Then Ekina sighed, putting the bow and arrow down. Middy and I sighed in relief. 

I extended my hand, and smiled as kindly and friendly as possible, “Hello, my name’s Kate and this is Middy. We’re sorry for startling you but we found Martin alone, and he wanted to find you.” Ekina looked at my hand and scanned me and Middy, then shook my hand briefly. 

Ekina looked at Martin again as he signed something. “What– why?, we can go back home now.” I was slightly taken aback by Ekina’s voice which contrasted with their dark-looking appearance. It was soft, gentle, and mature.

Martin looked at Ekina with puppy-dog eyes, pleading, the same way Middy would do if she really wanted something. Ekina sighed and said, “Fine, only because you trust them.” Ekina turned back to the two of us. Middy stepped beside me, squeezing my hands. 

“Martin here wants to follow y'all, and I will follow too. Y’all seem like nice folks but one wrong move and we are gone, understand?” Ekina’s face softened, just slightly. “My name’s Ekina Salters.”

I grinned. “Yeah we know.” Middy said, causing Ekina to raise an eyebrow. 

“The arrow.” I interjected quickly. We smiled. 

This is gonna be awkward. I readied myself.

--------------------

“You really like strawberries don’t you?” 

Martin nodded vigorously, his red hair bobbing up and down as he scarfed down a second plate of strawberries like no tomorrow, while Ekina nibbled on their second. 

The atmosphere in the house was odd, but the good kind of odd. There wasn’t any awkwardness I was expecting. Middy chatted away like she always did, and Martin took in every word she said silently but eagerly, like a plant taking in sunlight in the afternoon. I patched up Martin’s wounds, while feeling Ekina burn holes in my back, watching everything I do. While it was slightly uncomfortable, I understood that they were only being protective. After all, we were still strangers. 

“So…” I decided to strike up a conversation on my own for once, “How old are both of you?”

“19.” Ekina said bluntly. Martin showed one in his left hand and six in his right hand. 

“Wow, 16 and you’re in that cave. You’re so brave!” Middy exclaimed, and Martin shook his legs in excitement. I chuckled, asking him to keep still as I applied the last plaster. 

“I’m done patching you up. Let them heal for a few days and then you can take them off, okay Martin?” Martin nodded, licking his strawberry stained mouth. He seemed so much more alive now, a cheerful twinkle in his eye, completely different from the boy in the cave we met not long ago. 

Not only Martin, Middy too.

Ekina took a tissue from the table and wiped Martin’s mouth gently, as I put away the medkit. Martin stuck his tongue out at Ekina and let out a breathy giggle. Ekina smiled, the first time I’d seen Ekina smile. Small and sweet, loving, caring for Martin. Middy noticed it too.

“So… are you two siblings or something?” Middy asked casually. Martin nodded, but Ekina looked hesitant. Martin signed something to Ekina and Ekina looked back at me, and then at Middy, and then back to Martin. 

“Yes we are siblings, but not really at the same time. Do you want to explain, Martin?” Martin jumped off his chair and ran to his backpack, taking out his journal once again. He placed it on the table and flipped to a blank page. 

Middy huddled closer to look, Ekina’s eyes fixed on her, but less guarded, more… trusting. I took a seat next to Ekina as Martin started writing. 

“Ekina and I are siblings, not related by blood though, but I still consider them family.” Ekina smiled again, a bit wider this time. 

Martin continued writing, “We also have another sibling, his name is Fredrick, and he’s like, way older, 21 years old.”

“Wow he’s only like, 4 years younger than us!”

“Y’all are 25? You seem so much younger, except you Kate.” Ekina said suddenly. Middy burst out laughing and I raised an eyebrow jokingly, pretending to look offended. “I-I mean that you look more mature, so I thought you would be a bit older.” Ekina stumbled over their words. I laughed.

It was Middy’s turn to be offended, “Are you implying I’m not mature?” Then she burst in fits of laughter again. Martin was kicking his feet, smiling so hard we could barely see his eyes. 

Ekina, though flustered, looked much more relaxed, now sitting comfortably, hands no longer a fidgeting mess. 

In some way, Ekina reminded me about the time I met Middy. I was so much more closed-off, but somehow Middy’s charm drew me in. She may seem immature, but she was lovable, didn’t mind when I was too tired, or when I wanted to be alone. Middy always made me feel warm, made the rainy days feel better, taught me that you could also enjoy the rainy days even before the sun comes up. She opened my eyes to so many things, so many new experiences, so many new… feelings. 

That’s how I realised what love is. 

I snapped back to the conversation. “So do all of you have powers?” Middy asked, a question Ekina and Martin probably get asked a billion times. Humans with magical powers aren’t rare, but they aren’t the most accepted most of the time, despite the situation getting a bit better these past few years up till now. I never saw the reason why we hated or were scared of them in the beginning, they were just humans but a bit different, but I guess most people are scared of what they don’t know.

Martin tapped the sides of his cat-like eyes and wrote, “Nightvision!” Ekina looked reluctant to say anything. I gently tapped their hand. “You don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to.” Middy nodded in agreement. 

Ekina shifted their legs close to their chest, eyes wandering over to the side. “Yeah, Frederick, Martin and I all have powers. I don’t think it’s much of a surprise, but people don’t really like us. It’s not like they will beat us up or anything, but they act like we are the most dangerous beasts or something. Like they haven’t seen something more terrifying or disgusting than us.” Ekina’s voice reduced to a mumble at the last sentence. The room fell quiet. Martin shifted his eyes to his book. 

I wanted to say something to lighten up the mood, but didn’t know what. This was what I feared, the awkward silence, the moment when we step into a territory filled with landmines, every step will send us to our immediate death.  

Thankfully, Middy knew exactly where to step.

“Yours is camouflage, right Ekina? I met a person who had the same powers too. She kept messing around with me.” Middy laughed, a lighthouse on a stormy sea, “We would play tag and I would try to chase her, but she would disappear, and I wouldn’t be able to find her. Oh! And she would disappear sometimes and pour water on my head, and I would think it was raining!” Martin already had a smile on his face, letting out short breaths in amusement. Ekina chuckled softly too. “So in retaliation, I poured water on her head! Then our parents would scold us for playing with water.” 

Middy told them story after story, listening attentively, curiously, intrigued. Martin would chime in on his own stories, writing furiously in his journal. Middy and Martin threw stories back and forth, laughing and widening their eyes in awe. Ekina watched and listened, their head propped on their hands, smiling fondly. Middy showed her scars on her hand, telling how she got them one by one, describing each adventure in vivid detail, every creature she’d met, every person. 

I noticed Ekina kept eyeing a music disc on the table. A music disc with the picture of a cartoon girl lying comfortably on green grass, the reflection of clouds in her glasses. I picked it up. “Do you want me to play it?” 

Ekina nodded slowly, “If it’s alright?” 

I smiled. It was my favourite song, “Of course.” I put it on the player. Soft, comfy piano filled the air, as the familiar tune played out. Ekina closed their eyes, and their shoulders relaxed, as if a weight had been lifted off their shoulders. Even Middy stopped talking to listen, even though this was the umpteenth time I have played it. Martin bopped his head along to the beat and played an imaginary piano. 

The song played on loop as the sun started to shyly hide behind the tall trees, like a shy child hiding behind their mother. Soon it was time for Ekina and Martin to leave, unfortunately. Middy never stopped chatting with Martin, not that he minded. Those two had formed such a strong bond in just a few hours, which wasn’t surprising to me. They radiated such similar, chaotic, thirst-for-thrilling-adventures kind of energy I’m surprised they hadn’t met sooner.

Whereas Ekina and I, we were more of listeners than talkers like Middy and Martin, I think we shared that similarity. 

I handed Martin a container of fresh strawberries, and his eyes lit up in an instant. He snatched it out of my hand and waved it at Ekina as if Ekina wasn’t right next to me. Ekina smiled, this time bigger and brighter, “Yes, we will share them with Fredrick when we get home.” Ekina went and stood next to him.

“Speaking of home, do you know where to go? It might be dangerous.” Middy asked before I could, startling me. 

“Yeah, the woods look familiar, if not we can always contact Fredrick. Oh and speaking of contact.” Ekina nudged Martin. 

He rummaged through his bag and fished out his journal. He opened it, but this time to tear out a page. Martin and Ekina pressed their thumbs onto the corner of the page, creating the imprints on the page and wrote down their names below it. Martin took Middy’s hand and my hand and we did the same. Our thumb imprints appeared on the paper and he wrote both our names below them. Martin handed the paper to Middy.

“That paper,” Ekina explained, “Is a messaging paper, used to contact anyone whose thumbprints are on that paper. Write anything on that, and it’ll appear in Martin’s journal.”

“Wow, thank you.” I said, as Middy turned and flipped the piece of paper, examining every inch of it, as in awe as I was.  

Ekina suddenly hugged me, and I blinked in surprise, “Thank you for making me, us, feel normal.”  Ekina whispered. I patted their head, it was then I realised a small scar, on their forehead underneath their long bangs. 

“You don’t have to thank me, Ekina.” I said. Ekina looked up at me.

“Please,” Ekina looked at me and Middy, “Call me Eki. It’s what my friends call me.”

“Group hug!” Middy shouted and threw her arms around us, Martin followed suit, burying his head into Eki’s side. We laughed. 

Good things always felt like a dream. I relished the moment, just in case it was.

--------------------

The moon rose, a full moon, bright in the starry night sky. I took out the messaging paper Martin and Eki gave us, with Middy over my shoulder, tapping her foot in anticipation.

“Are you two back home?”

I sat back and waited, Middy’s hands fidgeting on my shoulders. 

Then, below our message, a word was written out, like an invisible hand holding a pen. “Yes!” Then both messages disappeared.

I felt Middy’s whole body relax, her forehead resting on my head as she muttered out a “Thank god”. 

“Aww were you worried about them?” I cooed at her. Carefree Middy was worried? Middy scoffed in response. 

I got up and wrapped her hands around me, staring up into her eyes, black as the night sky, but brighter than the full moon. I could get lost in them. She grinned her silly, special little grin. 

“I’ve been meaning to ask you, are you alright?” Middy cocked her head to the side, as if she had never heard of the question before. 

“I mean, I have never seen you so… awfully terrified before, back in the cave. I was just.. You know… wondering if there was anything you wanna talk…” Middy pulled me closer, her head over my shoulders. I was on my toes, but I felt like I was floating, felt like the whole world fell away and it was only us. 

Middy’s soft breathing and heartbeat was all I could hear, not even the sounds of the night could reach us. 

“I’m fine, I really am.” She and I sat on our bed, but we never let go of each other. “It’s just a shock to the Yins again–”. She cut herself off, letting me go. “I mean, yeah those Yins look incredibly freaky haha.”

“Again?” I was confused. “I thought you said you’ve never met any before?”

Middy remained silent, not looking me in the eye. I felt an invisible wall between us. 

I took a deep breath, “Why would you lie about something like this?”

The silence grew thick, suffocating. 

“Middy…” I didn’t want to fight, I didn't want this silence to go on. Please talk to me.

“Do you promise not to laugh at me?” Middy finally said, in a small voice. 

“Of course I won’t!”

Middy clutched her legs close to her chest, and leaned against my shoulder. 

“It was a few years ago, before you and I even met. I had a few close buddies back then, and they would always compliment me for being brave.”

“One day, they dared me to go down this cave, and of course I did it. I went down, it was dark, extremely quiet. I only had one lantern with me, and my sword of course. I went deeper and deeper. And then I saw them. There was one at first, I thought there was only one, suddenly so many more came.” I thought back to our encounter in the cave.

“I fought and fought, but it got too much, I was getting exhausted, and they were relentless, they were so loud, I was reaching my breaking point. Then I dropped my lantern.” I suppressed a gasp. I could see she was shaking, hand clenched so hard it turned ghost white. I rubbed her hand, letting her continue.

“It… was… dark. So awfully dark. It felt claustrophobic, like it wrapped around my neck, squeezing it. Everything was loud but I couldn’t see anything. So I ran. Blindly. I didn’t know where I was, I didn’t know where to go. The screeching sounds from the Yins were gone but they echoed in my head. I was hurting all over, too.” Middy rubbed her neck.

“Eventually, I heard the sound of rain and followed it, and I got out. When I got out, I cried. More than I would like to admit. My friends had left but I figured it was because of the rain. I ran back home and told my parents about it, but they didn’t really believe me, they were more angry at the fact that I came home late and wet.” I shook my head. I never liked Middy’s parents, and the hate was mutual. 

“I told my buddies the next day. I thought they would comfort me, because I was still very shaken. Instead, well… they laughed at me and called me a coward. Worst thing was, I believed them.”

A few drops of rain fell, reflected by the moon. Then more, and soon the rain was beating against the windows, like they were trying to get in.

“Do you still talk to them?” I asked.

“Oh, no. Never again. I tried not to let their words in my head, but it’s kinda hard sometimes.” Middy traced the scars on her hands.

“I’ve met and fought things and creatures, many creatures, none scared me as much as Yins. I’ve thought about going back to the cave I went into a few years ago, but everytime I think about the darkness and what I felt.” Middy shuddered and shook her head. “Didn’t know they’ll appear here though.” She chuckled dryly.

The wind sighed in the branches of trees. The silence was no longer suffocating. But I didn’t know what to say, even though I wanted to say something. It was the first time Middy opened up to me like this, so vulnerable.

“Well, I bet if they were dared to do the same thing they wouldn’t even follow through.” I don’t know who Middy’s ‘buddies’ were but thinking about them made me fume, “You know, I bet the moment they even step into the cave, they’ll come running out, wetting themselves!” Middy laughed, a genuine one. I missed it.

“They don’t know who you are, they don’t know the Middy today. Yes, you froze up today, but tomorrow, you will rise up and fight, I know it. You’re braver and stronger than you think you are.” I tapped her forehead. “They don’t know what they’re talking about.” 

Middy leaned back to look at me. She leaned back in and kissed me. I kissed her back, tasting strawberry. Then, she rested her head on my shoulder, her face warm on my neck.

“Kate?”

“Yeah?”

“I love you.” Middy tilted her head up and smiled. Warm, full of love.

I kissed her forehead. “I love you too.”

--------------------

We went back to the cave, to the two pathways that we found. We had asked Martin and Eki if they wanted to come with us, but they already had some other plans. 

Middy placed a lantern at the entrance of the left pathway, and lit another lantern of her own. I stood by her side, gripping my trusted bow, the familiar weight of my arrows in my quiver, slung over my shoulder. Yet it could not calm the uneasiness that grew like a seedling inside of my stomach. The right pathway was scary in a way that something might jump out and attack. But the pathway we were about to go down, it had an eerie vibe, like something was crawling in there staring at us. They can see us, but we can’t see them. 

Which somehow felt much, much worse, I shivered, though it wasn’t cold. 

“Hey.” I felt a warmth spread around my body, like the warm morning sun shining through our bedroom windows when I wake up. Middy had her hands around my stomach, her chin over my shoulder. “You okay?”

I let out a held breath, and put my hand over hers, “Yeah I’m fine. This place just gives me bad vibes.”

“Breaking news!” Middy joked, and we both laughed, which faded into silence once more. I felt that Middy was more silent than usual ever since we left. 

“Did you pack the mana potions we got? Just in case.” Her voice barely over a whisper. 

“Yeah, you told me multiple times to pack it.” I took out the glowy liquid encased in the glass flask, secured to my waistband. It was only to be used during emergencies when we were extremely weak. “What’s with you huh?” Her face was warm in my hand as she nuzzled it in the palm of my hand. 

Middy grabbed my shoulders and twisted me around to face her. The yellow glow of the lantern made her eyes look like there was a flame ignited in there. Being a little over half a head taller than me, her stance felt intimidating yet comforting and safe at the same time.

Her face softened, “Nothing, nothing at all. I just wanna say…” She hugged me again. “I love you, and I would never be able to do this without you by my side, not in a million years.”

I cupped my hand on her face, “Let’s do this then. You and me.”

--------------------

There were thousands of Yins. On the walls, on the ceiling, on the floor next to our feet. Middy and I stayed close together, our backs literally stuck together, our guards up and weapons drawn.

What was strange was that none of them were attacking. All of the Yins travelled in the same direction, organised in single lines close together. They weren’t tripping or climbing over each other trying to get us. We couldn't even hear the tapping of their metal feet against the rocky surface. 

In fact, it seemed like they weren’t even acknowledging our presence. 

They were everywhere, trapping us in a tiny space in the middle of the pathway, shuffling us forward with the fear of accidentally stepping on a Yin and having all of them attacking at once, from every direction. 

Just thinking about that made my knees weak.

“What the hell is this?” I nearly tripped when Middy whispered, her voice like an explosion in the pin drop silence, she even stiffened up a little. 

The Yins did not react in the slightest. 

“I don’t know. Do you think this is a trap?” I winced at my own voice, a mere whisper vibrating off the walls. 

Middy didn’t answer, which I’m glad. I don’t think either of us wanted to know the answer. 

Middy tried to lift her foot over the Yins crawling just centimetres away from her feet. They didn’t budge, or even bothered to look up. Just kept on crawling. 

Middy and I had no choice but to keep shuffling forward, anticipation level high up. The thick silence was suffocating, only broken by my heartbeat thumping in my ears, so loud I thought Middy might be able to hear it.

Thump Thump.

Thump Thump.

Thump Thump.

Thump- 

Thud. 

My foot connected with a wall in front of me. I was so focused on the Yins around me that I didn’t notice that we had reached the end of the path. The Yins skittered away, behind us. 

“Kate?” I touched the wall as the Yins began to disperse, trailing my lantern up along the wall. Walls in front of us, to the left and right. 

“Kate, they’re all gathering in one place.” Spider-web cracks spreaded across the rocky walls. I felt something light drop onto my head, like the first drops of rain at the start of a thunderstorm. 

But it wasn’t water, instead tiny pieces of rock fell from above. I looked up. 

“Middy, what’s going on?” Thick green vines slowly snaked out of the cracks of the ceiling, towards the ground around us. The ground started to shake like an earthquake. I bumped into Middy and finally turned around. 

All the Yins were starting to merge. Their slimy bodies stuck together, metal legs digging into the black void of their body to form something bigger. Middy swept her arm in front of me and both of us stepped back, my hand subconsciously on an arrow behind me. 

The Yins grew and grew, and suddenly light from our lanterns went out, and we were plunged into darkness. Middy gasped, and a loud clang reverberated around in the dark.

--------------------

I couldn’t speak, I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t see anything. Not a sliver of light, no silhouette, nothing. It was darker than the darkness when you closed your eyes. A lump formed in my throat as I blindly fumbled in my pocket for my matchbox. The darkness was incredibly claustrophobic. 

“Kate!”

Come on. Come on. I rubbed my thumb along the edge of the box for the rough patch and struck the match.

“Oh god!” Middy was pinned against the wall, holding off a black metal crab-like claw that was as big as Middy herself. The claw was just centimetres away from her face, the only thing between them was Middy’s sword, but the distance was closing more and more. I quickly lit up my lantern on the floor.

“Shoot it!” I shot, the arrow landed into the goopy black arm with a wet squelch and ended with a loud ‘clang!’, like it connected with more metal. The claw retracted, and another appeared out from the darkness to yank the arrow out. It threw the arrow to the side.

I shot another arrow into the darkness, but all I heard was a loud snap as it fell down into two pieces. Middy roared as she ran forward and connected her sword with one of the metal claws. It barely made a dent, and it sent her flying back against the wall. 

“Middy!” I lunged out for her to cushion the fall. Middy recovered surprisingly quickly and was on her feet, sword raised.

“Stay away!” Her voice wavered slightly, but her stance didn’t. She stood in front of me, her empty hand swept to the side as if to cover me. My heart pounded in my ears, adrenaline and admiration pumping through me. I grabbed her hand, and stood by her side. 

“Well… well…” The voice boomed, or rather, voices. It was as if dozens of different people all spoke in unison, bouncing off the walls. I could feel a headache starting to form behind my eyes. 

Then, it stepped into the light. 

A monster stepped into the light, though it seemed as if the light was consumed by it. It was like a Yin, only it was the size of the entire cave. The slimy body was a black void, which looked like it could consume and trap anyone in eternal darkness. Four, large metal claws attached to appendages protruding out of its body, like some weird hybrid of an insect and crab. 

I would have laughed at how ridiculous it looks if it weren’t for the fact that it can slice my head clean off with one swing of its claw if it wanted to. 

And it certainly wanted to. 

“How does it feel to be so tiny and insignificant faced with something so vast and great?” Deep voices, high pitched voices, taunting whispers, banshee shrieks and hateful cries were all I heard say back. I never wanted to rip my ears out so bad until now. 

“Even the mightiest of elephants cower at the sight of mice!” Middy’s voice was like an angel sent from the heavens, the dove among a murder of screeching crows. She gripped my hand tighter, and I mentally gave her all my support. 

Six, red beady eyes similar to that of six lava pits in its void of a body met ours, burning holes into our faces. 

“Such bravery and ferocity.” A claw crashed into the wall right beside Middy and she sunk her sword into the slimy flesh, hitting the metal skeleton underneath. 

“Down!” Middy pushed my head down as the claw dragged along the wall right above our heads, bringing Middy’s sword along with it. Bits of rock rained down on us. I pulled out another arrow and shot it directly in one of the eyes. The arrow sank into the eye and the monster roared, louder than the thunder. 

Middy took this opportunity to grab her sword and ran it against the metal hidden under the flesh of the arm, making a horrible screeching noise, searing through my head. Sparks flew and Middy yanked out her sword and rolled away.

The monster made a sound similar to thousands of dying horses. Then I saw why. The sparks had made the flesh on the arm melt, exposing the metal skeleton underneath, which was slightly melting as well. A long scratch etched into the metal from Middy’s sword. The black goopy flesh dropped to the floor and disappeared into smoke, and the arm did not repair itself. 

Middy’s eyes met mine, reflecting my surprise. I nodded. I knew she was thinking the same thing.

We’re not letting it take our lives away!

I threw her my matchbox and grabbed my lantern. “Hey you!” I called out to the monster. I swung my lantern and let it fly into the air towards it, though short lived as the lantern was immediately smashed onto the ground with an unsatisfying crunch by the monster’s claws. The same asphyxiating darkness fell again, but not for long. The light in Middy’s lantern came to life and sank into the monster’s flesh, exploding into flames. 

Earsplitting demonic screeches echoed throughout the cave, so deafening it could bring the whole cave down to a rubble. My bow slipped out of fingers as I clamped both hands on my ears tighter than ever, my eyes grew hot, my ears rang. I opened my mouth but whether I screamed or not didn’t matter. 

I felt myself hit the ground, and the last thing I saw was Middy thrown to the ground like a ragged doll.

--------------------

I couldn’t tell if I was alive or not. My limbs were stiff as glue, my mouth dry as sandpaper. My eyes were open, staring up at the cave ceiling. Like my body was a corpse but my conscience was still there. My ears no longer rang, leaving a dull throb. 

Silence. Then a muffled sound of distant shuffling, as the ground below me shifted ever so slightly. A soft crackling noise above me. My hearing slowly came back to me, and I realised the warmth I was lying on wasn’t the ground. 

“Hey. You’re awake.” Middy’s exhausted eyes met mine, but her voice filled with relief. Multiple scratches littered her entire face, some reaching down to her neck. An especially large gash reached down her cheek like a tear streak. The gash red as the monster’s lava-like eyes. Her clothes ripped in some areas. She held a match in one hand, holding mine in the other. 

“I know right? My red hair compliments my face very well.” Middy joked when I stared for too long. Playing fun, even in such a dire situation. I sought to scan our surroundings with no energy or voice to tell her off.  

From the looks of it, it was the same cave we fought the monster in. Except thick green vines encircled around us like a cage, firmly planted to the ground from the ceiling. Thorns littered around each vine, making escaping infinitely more impossible if we didn’t want to poke our eyes out. 

“It knocked my sword out of my hand,” I squinted into the darkness of the cave and saw a glint of metal. “I don’t think your arrows are sharp enough to cut through.” My arrows lay scattered across the cavern floors, some in the cage with us and others outside the cage. The ones outside the cage were all broken into pieces. 

“Don’t worry, your bow is right here.” That’s the last thing I’m worried about right now. 

My lips felt like they were stuck together with dried glue as I pried them open to see if I had lost my voice. It was as if all the fluids from my body had evaporated, leaving me like a dried raisin, a wilted plant deprived of water. Middy raised her water bottle to my lips and I gratefully relinquished it. 

“Fire…” I tilted my head to the matchstick Middy held. 

“I tried, but it’s gonna take a lot more than just matchsticks to burn our way out” I got myself to sitting position, my limbs stiff and sore. But I’m sure Middy was feeling worse.

“Hey, don’t get up so fast, you’ll get a headache.” Indeed my head spun and purple dots floated in my vision, but I didn’t care. I collapsed at the slightest loud sound and Middy would fight till she was dead. 

I was disappointed, mad. Mad at myself. I didn’t do enough. Maybe if I fought longer we wouldn’t be trapped in the first place, maybe  Middy wouldn’t have gotten hurt.

I didn't realise I had been crying until Middy touched my cheek and I realised how warm it was. “Hey now, why’re you crying? I’m fine, I swear!” Middy patted my face, a weak attempt in calming me down. “It’s just a little cut, nothing major, I have had lots before!”

I didn’t know what to do, so I just babbled out my mind, “I’m sorry, I should’ve done more- You got hurt because of me, I didn’t do anything-” I choked between sobs. 

Weak.

Middy threw her arms around me, careful of the match in her hand. Her body was warmer than the tears rolling down my face. I’ve never cried this hard in front of anyone, not even Middy. My whole body rocked, and I could barely breathe.

Pathetic.

Middy pressed her lips to the side of my head, and breathed out next to my ear. I breathed out along with her. When she took a breath, I breathed in.

She breathed out. I breathed out.

She breathed in. I breathed in.

Breathe in. 

Breath out.

Middy’s entire sleeve was drenched with my tears by the time my sobs were reduced to quiet sniffles. It was also then I realised how tight I was clinging into Middy. I tentatively leaned away and wiped my face with the palm of my hands.

“Sorry.” I mumbled, unable to look at Middy, my face hot. I heard her laugh, a pleasant, honey giggle that made my heart flutter. 

“This,” I flinched when she touched the long red gash, even though I didn’t experience it. “This might heal into a scar.” Will heal into a scar. 

“But you know what?” Middy grinned. The goofy grin. The grin that made my heart throb when I first met her. The grin that told me that everything was alright. That everything was going to be okay. 

That you can also enjoy the rain before the sun comes up. 

“I think that this will be my favourite scar. My favourite story to tell.” Middy took my wrists into her hand and held them against the sides of her face. My fingers tentatively brush the skin beside the cut, feeling the warmth of her skin on my wrists. 

“I’m not touching it, I might infect it.” I placed my hands on her neck and bumped my forehead against hers. Middy chuckled.

We stayed like that for a while, and I wish we could stay like that forever. Ignoring the dark, dangerous cave encasing our fate and demise. 

Just the two of us, together, a pleasant silent air between us. 

“We’re definitely getting out of this place, alright?” I nodded back, wiping away the last of my tears. Middy got up, helping me up to my feet. 

I heard a rustle, and caught a glimpse of something falling out of my pocket. A paper lay at my feet.

Not just any paper though. It was the messaging paper Eki and Martin gave to us.

“You had it in your pocket?” Middy asked.

“I must’ve put it in unknowingly.” 

Then it was like something clicked simultaneously in both our heads. 

“We don’t have a pen though.” Middy said, looking around as if a pen might drop down from the cave ceiling. I glanced at the thorns on the vines, small but sharp, and pondered for a bit.

“Maybe we don’t need a pen.” I hovered my finger over one of the many thorns, thinking aloud. 

Middy immediately grabbed my wrist away from the thorn. “Woah now, let’s think this through. Both Martin and Eki are incredibly strong and resilient, don't get me wrong, but we have seen them before in this cave. You really want to call them here again? They might not agree to come back. They’ve also only met us once.”

I blinked, surprised yet again by how much Middy thought this through. Past Middy probably would’ve just jumped on into it immediately. I smiled, proud.

“Well, I was thinking that they could bring their brother Fredrick? He’s only a few years younger, and he has fire powers, which is the monster’s only weakness. And,” I stepped forward, closer to Middy. “Martin and Eki won’t be alone this time.”

“Do we have any other choice?” 

I shrugged. Middy sighed, “At least let me do it then.” She said softly. I let out a short breath of amusement, and pressed her palm on my cheek. 

“You have already done so much, it’s time I also do something.” I released her, “Besides, I think it’s also time I get my own scars.” 

Middy laughed, “I don’t think that alone will leave anything.”

“Well, next time I guess.”

I pressed my thumb down onto the tip of the thorn, wincing as the blood flowed out. I pressed my bloody thumb against the paper. “Let’s hope they don’t get too freaked out.”

I wrote, Danger, help, trapped, in the cave. Not at all ominous.

As I wrote, my thumb the quill and my blood the ink, I thought I heard a voice. A tiny squeak somewhere around the cave. Footsteps too. 

“Did you hear that?” I tore a bit of my sleeve off and wrapped around the cut on my thumb. Middy was already peering out into the darkness of the cave, but that was all there was. Cold darkness. 

“Actually wait. Look.” Middy pointed to the darkness. I squinted, then realised it wasn’t just darkness.

 A spark of light, then two, then three, bobbing in the darkness. Then voices, but I couldn’t hear what they were saying.

I see something move on the messaging paper. Words formed on the paper.

“WE ARE COMING!”

And then they appeared in the light.

Eki and Martin ran towards us. “Over here!” Eki shouted out. 

“Careful, there’s thorns.” Middy said as they reached the vine cage. I couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across my face. 

“How did you know we were here?” I barely sent the message before they found us.

“We heard an incredibly loud sound coming from here.” Eki explained, as Martin ran back to another person who came out of the darkness. “We remembered y’all said y’all were going back into the cave and got worried. We brought Fredrick along too.”

Fredrick, the new person Martin came back with, was tall, maybe taller than Middy even. He had dark hair and fiery eyes and walked up to us in a casual manner. 

“Stand back.” His voice was deeper than I thought. He cautiously slipped his hands between the thorns and gripped one of the vines tightly. His eyes glowed brighter than the sun, and though I wasn’t him, I could feel the heat surge through his arms, to his hands, to the tip of his fingers. A spark, and then fire, eating hungrily at the vines, turning the bright green to mere ash in seconds. The greedy fire spread further to other vines, eventually leaving a whole large enough to let us through. The fire, having satiated its hunger, dissipated into smoke. 

The boy with fiery eyes extended a hand, an amicable grin greeting us. “Name’s Fredrick, but I think you two know.” I shook his hand, followed by Middy, an excited and shocked twinkle in her eye.

“Thank you, I’m Kate and this is Middy, but I think you know that too.” I shot a knowing look at Eki, and they smirked. 

I saw Martin hand Middy her sword, and Fredrick burning more of the vines, weakening it and pulling the still green bits to the ground from the ceiling. Seeing more people, despite only being only a few more, filled me with a sense of comfort, security, and hope. 

The cave seemed so much livelier and brighter. Gone was the dreaded, suffocating darkness. 

It didn’t seem so scary anymore.

I felt a sudden poke on my shoulder, startling me. I whipped around but saw no one. But I knew who it was and I rolled my eyes. The air rippled and Eki appeared, smirking at me. “Cheeky.” Eki laughed in response.

Eki handed me my arrows, but I noticed that there was an extra arrow that stood out from the rest. It’s arrowhead was red as fire. “Here, use the red one wisely by the way.” I nodded, only half understanding.

Martin kicked some stones on the ground. One of the stones skidded and hit the wall beside us. Then I saw it.

“Hey there’s a hole here.” A hole that looked slightly similar to the one we had hid in the first time we went into the cave. Middy crouched in front of it. 

“I think this is where the monster went.” As soon as she said that, she immediately jumped back and swung her sword, cutting off a screech. We ran forward to see a small Yin, body sliced clean in half, but was slowly putting itself back together.

“Bleh. I’ve heard about these creatures but never seen them up close, I’m disappointed, safe to say.” Fredrick said. 

I turned to Fredrick. “Could you maybe set this on fire Fredrick?”

“Can do.” He knelt down and placed his hands just above the dismembered Yin. A small fire came to life, and the Yin let out a fading squelch. It melted and disappeared into the air. Everyone except Middy and I widened their eyes in awe, a few ‘woah’s whispered.

I carefully picked up the thick green vines that were left, the wheels in my head turning. 

“Are you able to control your fire, as in which direction it goes and what it burns?” I asked.

“Yep. Trained for a long time.” Fredrick said proudly.

Middy had a knowing look in her eyes, and I could tell she was thinking exactly what I was thinking about. We turned to the three of them, looking at us attentively in anticipation. Middy’s hand in mine, gripping firmly, by my side.

“We have a plan. Listen carefully.”

--------------------

The monster was expecting us.

But we were expecting it too. 

“Well, well, well…” Its million voices boomed. “About time you escaped. I’m rather disappointed it didn’t take longer.”

“So sorry, you were just so unimportant we almost forgot about you.” I said sarcastically. 

The monster stood tall, the height of the cave. Two of its claws dug the ground, the other two dragged against the walls, producing a horrible screeching noise. 

The noise seared through my head, grating against my ears. 

I held my ground, and felt Middy’s shoulders brush against mine, a comforting touch. A sense that I will be safe, there’s help and support on my side in a face of such monstrosity. 

“You think you can defeat us that easily?” I surprised myself, speaking up at it. I felt the seed of bravery growing, sprouting and blossoming inside of me. Middy raised her sword, the blade brandishing in the monster’s red eyes. Its evil gaze did not waver us.

Suddenly, an arrow flew from beside us, and struck one of the monster’s eyes. Then another arrow struck another eye. My bow stayed by my side. 

The monster plucked the arrows out, confused. Just what we wanted.

“Now!” I shouted, only then shooting an arrow of my own. 

Martin and Fredrick ran out from behind us with the vines, quickly wrapping it around the claws that planted it on the ground in the midst of the monster’s confusion. Eki appeared from thin air beside us, releasing one last arrow before running after Martin and Fredrick, nearly getting hit from the monster’s claw as it descended onto the ground like an asteroid.  

Middy seared her sword against the claw, and the monster let out a shrill screech that shook the cave ceiling, threatening to collapse on us.

Fredrick slammed his hands on the floor. Cracks formed on the floor, inching its way to the monster, sending the heat towards the monster. Flames burned bright, melting off the inky flesh, the metal skeleton was no longer hidden. The monster howled, sounds that came from the deepest depths of hell. Adrenaline pumped throughout my entire body, my thumping heartbeat overpowering the screams as I shot more arrows into the monster’s eyes, trying to distract it from the others.

The monster couldn’t move forward, as Martin and Eki were holding it back, but I knew they could only hold it down for so long, we had to act quickly. 

Frederick melted the rest of the flesh of the monster’s head. The shiny metal skull exposed the six eyes, which now looked like six fragile red tinted glass instead of lava pools. He finished the job and quickly ran back to Martin and Eki to help them.

I leaped back to aim better, and shot an arrow into one of its eyes. The arrow flew through the air, shattering the first eye with a satisfying crunch, and the light went out of it. 

The monster let out a shrill screech. 

“Kate watch out!” Middy screamed out as a claw hurled towards me. I couldn’t avoid it fast enough and the next thing I knew, the wind was knocked out of my lungs and my arm scraped against the floor, burning. My hands covered my head to protect it. 

I quickly got up, trying to catch my breath. I checked my arm. The gash, like a long, ugly and bloody red river reaching from my shoulder and flowing down to near my elbows. It stung so much, like a thousand thorns poking at it. 

But I didn’t have time to dwell on it. I grabbed my bow off the ground and shot directly into another eye. The monster screeched and swung its claw again. This time however, Middy jumped in front of me and blocked it with her sword. 

“Quick, destroy the rest of the eyes!” I nodded and ran, preparing three arrows. 

Middy dodged the thrashing claws of the monster so well it was almost graceful, like a dance of some kind. She grabbed the last vine and wrapped it around one of the two remaining claws, took out a dagger and pinned it to the ground. The monster only had one remaining claw left. 

“Your efforts are useless, you might as well stop trying.” It snarled, tugging at the restraints that once trapped us. 

“As if!” Middy shouted, creating another scratch on the monster’s metal skeleton. 

Two eyes left, lit up, the rest like broken spotlights, the light blinked weakly before fading away completely.

I shot another arrow. Missed. 

The monster was growing weaker, the one free claw it had was nowhere accurate to hitting Middy, but it still fought hard. The more scratches and dents Middy put on the monster’s thrashing claw, the more difficult it was to hit the remaining eyes without killing Middy, and I could tell it was getting harder to hold the monster down for the three of them. The monster was sliding forward ever so slightly, threatening to crush me against the wall that was behind me.  

I could hear the vines slowly starting to rip apart. 

My last arrow flew through the air. 

It hit. Stray pieces of glass clinked onto the ground. The light in the fifth eye flickered and died off. 

“One more Kate! One more!” I fumbled for another arrow in my quiver, my arm shaking. My hand only felt cloth instead of the wooden shaft of my arrows. I panicked, a lump starting to form in my throat.

My quiver was empty.

“Kate! Over here!” Middy had stopped fighting to pick up a stray arrow from the ground. The arrow with the head as red as fire that Ekina had given me. It must’ve fallen out of my quiver when I got hit earlier. 

“Catch!” She threw the arrow at me, but I saw a black blur heading towards her. 

“Duck!” I grabbed the arrow and lunged for Middy, knocking her to the ground. I could feel the claw miss my head by a hair.

I pushed myself off Middy and scanned for the claw, the red arrow in my hand. 

 I ran towards it, possibly the same speed as it rushing back towards me. 

Closer. The claw gnashed open and close. Threatening to squish my head like a stuffed toy. 

Closer. My feet and my heart seemed to pound at the same time, the air whistled through my ears. 

Closer. I could see my reflection in the monster’s claws. 

Jump. I jumped onto the monster’s claw, running across it. I could feel the monster pause for a moment, as if surprised by the sudden bold action, but immediately lifted its claw up, lifting me up at the same time.

I leaped into the air, and suddenly it was as if time had slowed. I felt light in the air, above the monster, above everything. The red arrow was nocked into my bow, the head aimed directly at the last eye, which burned holes into my soul.

I stared back at it, daring it. 

“Good-bye.”

I released the arrow.

And everything burst into flames.

--------------------

“Hey! Wake up!”

I feel a hand gently slipping through my hair, playing with it. My eyes blinked open to see Middy’s face bathed in the sun rays. Her deep black eyes reflected the morning sun, but her smile was warmer and brighter than the sun.

“Morning kiss?” Middy puckered her lips, and I scoffed and rolled my eyes, lightheartedly. I pressed my lips against hers, which tasted very strongly of strawberries. 

“Were you eating strawberries? Without me?” 

Middy laughed, “It’s not only me that’s eating them.”

Middy and I went out into the dining area, where Martin, Eki and Fredrick were eating strawberries and strawberry jam sandwiches, chatting between mouthfuls. They waved at us.

“Good morning!” Middy ran up to Martin and lifted him into the air, giggling, as Martin kicked his feet in the air, a half eaten sandwich in his hands. He ate the rest and signed at Middy. 

“You want to go play in the cave? Sure, wash your hands and let’s go!” She put Martin down and he ran to the bathroom, and soon was out the front door. 

Eki got up and gave me a cup of tea, “Strawberry tea, wakes you right up.” And ran out with Martin.

Fredrick started gathering the plates and cups left on the table. 

“Go join the others Fredrick, I’ll clear up.” Middy said, and Fredrick immediately ran off, leaving Middy and I the only ones in the dining room.

We went to the kitchen to wash the dishes. A comfortable silence between us, broken only by the sounds of water and the clinks of plates and cups. Middy hummed a tune of no particular song. 

It was a good day. A perfect day even. It was a beautiful day. The kind of day where it wasn’t too bright or hot that it was scorching your skin, nor was it too dark or gloomy.

We put away the clean utensils and walk towards the front door. Middy’s hand sneaked into mine, kissing my cheek over and over again. I couldn’t help but giggle. “Come on, let's go meet them.”

Middy stuck out her tongue playfully, and raised her hand which was intertwined with mine. The rose quartz stone on our rings glinted in the sunlight, sparkling like the shiny pebbles in rivers. My sleeve rucked down and exposed my scar, from when we fought the monster. My first scar.

Middy and I walked towards the cave. The slight breeze whispering through our hair, in our ears. Though it happened a year ago, I still remember when both of us walked the same path, a time before Martin, Eki and Fredrick knew us, a time that seemed like a dream and a nightmare combined.

We arrived at the entrance of the cave. It wasn’t dark and ominous anymore, like when we first came. Flowers of many different colours adorned the sides of the cave, lanterns rested amongst the vines, giving a soft and welcoming glow.

We ventured down the left pathway and they were there, frolicking around in the soft grass. Frederick and Eki danced around in the grass that grew through the cracks on the cave floors. It was no longer barren and dead. Grass, flowers, planted and grew on the walls and floors. Fireflies flew around in the air. Middy joined them while I went to Martin, who sat in a corner writing.

“You know it’s not good for your eyes to be writing in such dim lighting.” I sat down next to him. 

“Nightvision dummy.” I chuckled.

Martin looked around the cave, taking the atmosphere in. It was peaceful, lively. We could read books, tell stories together and sleep under the fireflies. 

“Funny how this place used to be where the monster lived, where we fought and defeated it.”

“I know right.” I ran my hand across soft grass, tickling my fingers. “It’s only been about a year, but it was crazy. I still remember how I felt when I shot it and it burst into flames.” I mimed shooting an arrow with a bow. 

“It seems so much like a dream.” Martin wrote, flicking his pen in his finger afterwards, deep in thought.

I closed my eyes, “More like a nightmare, but it’s worth it.” I gestured to our surroundings. I watch Middy try to pick up Fredrick while Eki laughed at her efforts. “Seems like a dream now.”

“Good things always seem like a dream.” Martin smiled, proud of himself. I raised my eyebrow, impressed.

“That’s why you need to enjoy it while it lasts.” I got up and pulled him to his feet. We ran up to Middy and the others. I jumped up onto Middy’s back and she spun me around, and I laughed like a schoolgirl.

Eki plucked a flower from the ground and gave it to Middy. She held the flower and brushed some hair out of my face, putting it in my hair.

“There.” Middy kissed me, her smile contagious as I felt my lips curl up.

Everything felt like a dream.

I cupped Middy’s face, warm in my hand, and touched her forehead against mine, closing my eyes.

But it was definitely a dream come true.

~End

Inspired by: https://youtu.be/DnGhWMKAur0

Please go check Static-P and Lilypichu’s music! They’re amazing :)

Deception

The blaring emergency alarm broke Praxis’s train of thought. It rang throughout the ship loudly, and Praxis covered their ears, panicked. They ran out of the sleeping chambers into the hallway. The once white walls were now painted red by the emergency lights, giving Praxis a headache. They suddenly felt a hand on their shoulder.

It was Rosaline, coming out of the changing room. Her red hair seemed to blend in with the red lights, her necklace which was a heart with a heart-shaped hole in the middle sparkled blood red as well. Rosaline’s face was more confused than scared, which made Praxis feel a bit of relief.

“Relax, I think something got tampered with,” Rosaline’s voice soothed Praxis’s mind. “The crew knows how to deal with this. Come.” Praxis closed their eyes and grabbed Rosaline’s arm to balance themself

The duo went down to the main area, where five crew members were rushing towards the oxygen chambers. Suddenly, the alarm stopped, and Praxis’s headache slowly faded away, and they slowly opened their eyes, healed by the white walls of the ship. A tall man with black curly hair came out of the oxygen chambers, holding a wrench. He emitted a very intimidating aura, one that could make Praxis shiver in fear.

“Something just came loose, it’s all fixed now so everything’s alright.”

Praxis raised an eyebrow, surprised. His voice sounded much sweeter and softer than his looks.

“That’s Gregory Finn, don’t worry about him. He’s sweet.” Rosaline chuckled. “You can’t judge a book by its cover.”

“Let’s go find Elijah, then I can introduce you to Coraline, she’s nice too.”

“I asked Coraline to go check on the food in the pantry, so she should still be there.”

Elijah was the definition of fascinating. Praxis had never seen two different eye colours. Elijah’s left eye was black, while his right eye was a hazel brown, and his shoulder-length black hair suited him. Elijah caught Praxis staring and grinned. “Nice hair newbie.” Praxis patted her neon green hair shyly.

The trio walked into the huge cafeteria. It had a dozen long benches and tables spread out evenly throughout the cafeteria. The pantry door just on the opposite wall. Rosaline and Praxis stood beside the door while Elijah twisted the door handle and it creaked open. It was dark.

“Coraline?” The only response was the eerie silence. Praxis cowered a little behind Rosaline, sensing that something was amiss.

Elijah felt around for the light switch and flicked it.

“Oh my god-”

He suddenly stumbled back, a hand over his mouth. Rosaline lunged out and grabbed his arm to prevent him from falling. Elijah’s eyes were as wide as saucers, face as white as a blank paper. Rosaline looked into the pantry and fell to her knees, screaming.

Praxis peeked in from the side, and they wished they hadn’t.

Blood was everywhere. A headless girl sat at the far wall of the pantry. The girl’s clothes were completely drenched in blood, but that wasn’t the worst part. Just a few centimetres away from the body, her head lay on the ground in a puddle of blood. The blood was dark red, with black marks in it. Her long, dark auburn hair was stained with the unusual blood, plastered all over the floor. Her eyes were rolled back, crying the same peculiar blood, which streaked all over the poor girl’s abnormally sunken cheeks. Black veins snaked across her face, connected by the neck.

“Coraline…”

The silence hung in the air, tension so thick it could be sliced with a knife. The six crew members sat around the table in the main area, not one saying a thing. Elijah was comforting Rosaline, who was still crying silently, and Praxis sat next to them, still in shock and horror from earlier, looked down at her clenched hands. The other three crew mates, Elyza, Gregory and Bianca sat on the other side of the table.

Cameron came back and leaned against the wall.

“Body’s taken care of. Now what?”

Rosaline suddenly shot up, angry. Her cheeks were streaked with tears, and her eyes were red.

“You moved on like it was nothing!” She shouted at Cameron. “Do you not care that someone just died? Or maybe you really are just a cold, heartless jerk! You’re not even taking a single minute to grieve for Coraline.” Elijah grabbed Rosaline’s quivering hand and squeezed it, in an attempt to calm her down.

Cameron just ran a hand through his brown hair, Praxis peeked up and noticed his hair had a red streak in the middle. “Right now what matters is not that Coraline got killed, it’s what had killed her.”

“What do you mean?”

Cameron sighed, “The blood, and the black veins, isn’t it obvious by now?” He looked up and stared hard into Rosaline’s eyes, making her flinch.

“W-what do you mean-”

“The virus is on this ship.”

Rosaline stiffened, and so did everyone else, Praxis bit her tongue to prevent herself from crying. Rosaline sat back down quietly, a devastated look on her face.

Bianca stood up, “The virus could be controlling one of us now. We have to run tests to check.” She scanned the room with her cold black eyes, “Now.” Bianca marched off to stand next to Cameron. Praxis looked at Elijah and Rosaline, unsure of what to do.

“I don’t understand why any of us would kill someone.” Elyza’s blue eyes were devoid with emotion. “It’s against–”

“Oh shut up about that already.” Bianca scoffed. “The virus doesn’t care about whatever god you believe in, it’ll kill anyone it sees. Plus, the person it's controlling is nothing more than a puppet by now.”

Bianca marched out of the main area towards the laboratory, with Cameron in tow. Elijah got up.

“Come on, let’s get this over with, it’ll be fine.” He helped Rosaline up and gestured the rest to follow. They walked out and caught up with Bianca and Cameron.

It felt like years had passed when they finally reached the laboratory. Praxis felt uncomfortable, and chose to follow at the back of the group, behind Elijah. Bianca stopped in front of the keypad to the laboratory. As soon as she took out her card everything went dark. Rosaline squeaked out of surprise and everyone jumped. The emergency lights came on and gave a red glow similar when the oxygen chambers were tampered with, but this time Praxis was too nervous to have a headache.

“Ugh, that means we can’t get in.” Bianca huffed.

“You all stay here, I’m going to go fix it.” Cameron said, and without waiting for a response he set off towards the electrical room.

Bianca folded her arms and leaned against the laboratory doors, looking at the wall. Gregory and Elyza talked to each other in hushed whispers. Rosaline and Elijah sat on the ground, back against the wall. Praxis joined them on the ground.

“Do you really think the virus is on the ship Praxis?” Rosaline whispered.

Praxis looked down, “Black veins and unusual blood are usually the main symptoms of when the virus attacks someone. So unfortunately, it’s highly possible it’s on this ship.”

Rosaline rested her head on Elijah’s shoulder and he ruffled her hair. She chuckled sadly, “I was hoping you said no just to make me feel better.”

“Oh, sorry.”

“I’m just kidding.”

Elijah held out his pinky and said, “No matter what happens, we will always stick together. Promise?”

Rosaline took his pinky with her own. “Promise.”

Praxis held up her pink and connected it with his, smiling.

“I promise.”

“What’s taking him so long!”

Even though Praxis hated to admit, they had to agree with Bianca. Cameron was taking way too long to fix the electrical, it’s been at least 45 minutes. Maybe it’s just very complicated wiring.

“I’m going to go check on him.”

Elyza stood up, “I’ll go with you.”

“No!” Bianca snapped. Elyza was taken aback by her sudden hostility, and so was everyone else. “You all are staying here, I’m handling this myself.” Then she stormed off.

“Wow, rude.” Elijah said.

“She has always been like that, Bianca would rather be working alone. It’s like she literally hates everyone.” Rosaline said.

“Maybe she just likes being independent?” Praxis spoke up.

Rosaline shook her head, “Been working with her for a few years, not the kindest person.”

“I hope nothing happens between Cameron and Bianca.”

“You’re doing it all wrong!”

The electrical room was quite small, probably could fit a maximum of three people in it. Some of the wire box’s doors were open by Cameron, as he tried to fix the wires.

“None of these are labelled clearly on what they do. Oh, you can probably access the laboratory now, but you can use any of the equipment. Power still out, I’ve connected everything together so I don’t really know what’s wrong, maybe this is the wrong-”

“Shut up! Can’t you see?” Bianca shoved Cameron aside and pointed at the connected wires. “You did it all wrong! They’re not the same colour!”

“Oh, I’ll fix it then. Move aside.”

“No!” Bianca snatched the pliers from his hands. “You’ve messed up enough. I’m doing this myself you dimwit.” She angrily used the pliers to cut the wires, Cameron noticed her teeth clenched, hands white and she’s sweating.

“You’re oddly stressed right now. You’re usually quite calm in these kinds of situations.”

Bianca snatched the soldering iron and applied it on the wires, put it on the top of the box, and cut another wire using the pliers.

“And?” She said without looking at him or stopping.

“The virus changes people.”

Bianca stopped. “What are you implying, Cameron.”

“Are you really Bianca?”

Bianca slammed down the pliers and glared at him. If looks could kill Cameron would probably be dead by now. “Stop this nonsense.”

“Calm down, I’m just sayin’. You’ve never been nervous about anything, and now you’re all sweaty like you’re the one who killed Coraline-”

“I didn’t kill her!” Out of blind rage, Bianca shoved Cameron hard. He couldn’t catch his balance fast enough and fell backward, hitting the back of his head against a sharp corner of a wire box door. Bianca gasped, dropping the pliers.

“Cameron?”

He didn't respond.

No, no, no. Bianca fumbled for the pliers and cut the remaining wire. She threw the pliers on the ground and grabbed the soldering iron with her quivering hands. As soon as the wire connected completely, the lights immediately switched back on.

Bianca didn’t want to turn around, she didn’t want to see what she had done. Yet, an invisible hand forced her to turn her head to the right.

She fell to her knees.

White fluorescent lights flooded the halls, yet Bianca and Cameron still haven’t returned. The five crew mates decided to go to the electrical room to find them.

“I have a very bad feeling about this.” Rosaline whispered to Elijah.

“I’ll admit, me too.” Elijah whispered back.

Praxis, once again, hung around at the back of the group. This time where Elyza and Gregory were. Praxis walked with their head down, dragging her fingers along the white walls lightly. The whispers of exchanged conversations sounded so far away.

Praxis tried to think about the different planets that they would be, the amazing and otherworldly beauty that was out there. But their mind kept going back to the things they wished they could shut out of their mind. Coraline’s death only made it worse. Praxis thought they could hear the gravel crunch under their feet, which each step they took, taking them back to when their parents died. Praxis miraculously managed to survive that day, but they could never forget the horrified faces of their parents. Praxis could almost smell the blood.

Praxis stopped. They sniffed the air.

“Y’all, do you smell that?”

Everyone stopped, and Gregory spoke up, “Smells like…” he widened his eyes before he could finish his sentence. The group looked at each other before sprinting towards the electrical room. The smell getting stronger the closer they got to the room.

But nothing could prepare them for what they saw.

“Oh god…”

Cameron’s head rested on a sharp corner like a pillow, his blood trickling on the sides of the wire box’s door, dripping on the grey floor. Just in front of Cameron was Bianca, kneeling like she was praying, eyes fixed on Cameron.

Bianca suddenly snapped out of her stupor and raised her head. She got up to her feet and everyone outside flinched, Elijah made everyone stand behind him. He has a fierce look on his face, glaring at Bianca.

“No, wait. Please, hear me out.”

“Listen to a virus? Hilarious.” Elijah sneered

Bianca took a step forward, and everyone else stepped back.

“It was an accident, I accidentally pushed him. I swear. I swear!”

Elijah took a step forward and punched Bianca’s face. She fell, unmoving.

“We need to send her out the airlock, she’s clearly sick.”

Elyza knelt in front of Cameron’s body, “I want to clean this up first, I can’t stand the blood staining the door and floor.”

“We found it.” Elyza looked out of the telescope in the flight deck. Gregory nodded.

“It’s Drion MX, the planet and I and a few others discovered back in 3108. Let’s go land and check it out right away.” Elyza announced.

“Wow, that’s great!” Rosaline exclaimed, clapping her hands excitedly.

“Can’t wait to land.” Elijah smiled. Praxis nodded in agreement.

“Now hold on.” Gregory said. “We will land, but we should get some shut eye before roaming around. It’s been a long day, I’m sure.”

Elijah, Rosaline and Praxis all mumbled in agreement, but Elyza disagreed.

“We need to get this done fast, we have no time to rest. There are people dying on earth every second, and we’re here taking ou-”

“Three people just died, Elyza.” Gregory sighed. “We’re all tired here. Give us a break.”

Elyza looked conflicted, glaring at Gregory. She huffed and left, towards the flight deck. “Whatever.”

Elijah got up and lightly punched his shoulder, “Thanks man, now let’s go land.”

Praxis woke up, standing up. Dressed in a thick green jacket that’s soft on the inside, like being surrounded by dozens of cats, a pair of blue jeans, white boots with sparkly green laces, and a rainbow coloured, wooly hat that covered their red ears. It wasn’t snowing, but it sure was cold. Praxis looked up and realised where they were.

They were back home. Lush evergreens surrounded the wooden house that Praxis’s father so lovingly built. Mist floated into the air as they breathe out, reminiscing the beautiful memories of when Praxis would play hide and seek among the trees with their parents. Which brings Praxis back to the house in front of her. They walked forward towards the front door, the gravel crunching under their feet with each step.

Praxis turned the doorknob, and the door creaked open. It was even colder inside the house, and they couldn’t see anything in front of them.

“Mum? Dad?”

Praxis remembered that there was a fireplace at the very end of the room. Just as they took a step forward the fire started all by itself and illuminated the room with its orange glow, showing the horror around Praxis.

Praxis’s mother and father were nailed on the left and right wall respectively. Nails were pinned through their ankles and wrists. Their head was split open in the middle, dark red blood with black spots in it were trickling down all sides of their head.

Praxis fell to their knees, painful crying, their tears staining the wooden floor. When Praxis looked back up, their parents had disappeared, replaced by human-shaped black mists. Praxis stumbled to their feet and twisted the doorknob.

But the door wouldn’t open. Praxis screamed and banged on the door, “Let me out! Help!” The black mists surrounded Praxis and squeezed their neck. Praxis clawed at it, coughing and choking, their vision getting darker and darker.

“Praxis… come join us…” Praxis parents’ whispers echoed in the darkness.

“Praxis… come…”

“Praxis…”

“Praxis!”

Praxis’s eyes snapped open, face dripping with cold sweat, their eyes meeting with Rosaline’s, Elijah’s and Elyza’s.

They were back in the spaceship, in their sleeping pod. Claustrophobia set in and Praxis couldn’t breathe. They quickly pressed the button and the pod opened, letting them fall forward onto the ground, gasping for air.

“Are you okay? You were sweating, mumbling and choking yourself.” Rosaline helped Praxis up.

“Yeah, I’m fine, just a nightmare, that’s all. Everything’s fine.” Elyza had left the room. Elijah and Rosaline looked at each other, they didn’t say anything, but their faces said everything.

“Did something happen?” Praxis asked.

“Gregory’s missing.” Rosaline said.

“Maybe he just woke up early to explore the planet?” Praxis didn’t see anything wrong with it.

“That would be impossible.” The three of them walked out of the sleeping chambers into the changing room. Rosaline pointed at one of the space suits lined up on the wall, specifically Gregory’s. Praxis then realised what was wrong.

“If he were to be exploring, he would be wearing his spacesuit.” Praxis said.

“That’s right.” Elijah sighed, “We checked the whole ship while you were sleeping, he’s nowhere to be found.”

“Well that can’t be. Let’s go search again.” Praxis ran off to the first place they thought of, the oxygen chambers.

Gregory wasn’t there.

Praxis ran and searched every nook and cranny of the cafeteria, and reluctantly the pantry. Gregory wasn’t there.

On the way back to the sleeping chambers Praxis passed by the entrance of the spaceship. They looked out the window, there wasn’t any grass, but the ground was green, and so were the rocks. Everything was green, with a mixture of shiny white pebbles scattered here and there. Praxis turned away from the window and left. Her hand was dragging against the wall, so it accidentally hit a button that opened the door.

Praxis panicked and tried to close it but it still kept opening. They then realised that nothing was happening to them, so they released the button.

Gregory lay only a metre away from the ship, back against the ground. Someone had stabbed his heart, and dragged whatever weapon they used straight down to his stomach. His grey t-shirt was stained dark red with black blotches, and so was the ground around him, but there was less blood than Praxis expected there to be. A jagged and sharp green rock and a clean pair of gloves lay next to Gregory.

Praxis couldn’t move, they weren’t terrified, but Praxis wished that all this could end. They closed their eyes, and wished for it to be a dream. But there was no time for wishing, so Praxis screamed the first word that came to mind.

“Rosaline!”

The silence was much more deafening this time, and longer too. Praxis knew what everyone was thinking though.

They were all wrong about Bianca, and the virus is still here.

Everyone sat at least a foot away from each other. Elijah had his face in his hands, his hair disheveled. Rosaline’s eyes were red from crying, now she sat with her head limp to the side. Elyza sat straight, she and a cup in her hand, taking sips every now and then. Praxis watched her legs swing under the table.

“What now.” Rosaline said it more as a statement than a question. “There’s only four of us now.”

Elyza took a long sip from her cup, her face showing not much emotion, but her eyes had an authority look in it. It was as if they were saying, “It’s no time to grieve, get up and deal with it.”

Elyza got up and set her cup aside, “We need to continue forward. Get your suits, we have important work to do.”

Rosaline grabbed Elyza’s arm when she passed her. “Wait,” She sounded desperate. “The cameras. There’s a camera right at the door, it should’ve seen something. You’re the only one who knows how to operate the cameras.”

Elyza shook her hand off with a serious look. “We have no time. The longer we wait the more people will suffer and die.”

“Yeah but the virus here is gonna kill us all before we even completed the mission.” Elijah spoke up. “You see how smart it is at hiding itself. If we don’t do anything about it, it’ll bring more danger to us and the people we are about to bring here.”

Elyza pondered about it for a moment, then turned around and walked to the direction of the cameras. “Let’s go.”

All the monitors showed only a black screen. Elyza switched back on while the rest waited outside the room. Elyza tried to rewind back to yesterday, but no matter how hard she tried to search for the footage, it was all gone. Deleted, Elyza reasoned. But who? No one knew how to operate the cameras except herself.

“What’s taking so long there?” Elijah called out from outside.

“The footage is deleted.”

All three of them instantly came in. “What!” Elijah stared at the monitor, as if the footage would suddenly appear by glaring at it.

“Someone must’ve switched off the cameras yesterday, can’t find it.”

“B-but you’re the only one who knows how to–”

“Operate the cameras I know!” Elyza snapped at Rosaline, suddenly irritated. “I’m the only one who knows things around here.”

“Hey back off.” Elijah said. “Why so angry all of a sudden, huh? If anything we should be suspicious of you.” Praxis wished Elijah would stop talking, but they didn’t say anything.

“What in the world are you talking about.” Elyza was hunched over the computer, clicking the mouse in hopes of finding the footage.

“Just saying that you could’ve just deleted it and pretended like–” A black blur that headed for Elijah’s head interrupted him, and he dodged it fast enough that it didn’t hit him. Rosaline jumped. It was the mouse, and it landed at Praxis’s feet. The three look at Elyza who just realised what she had done.

“Oh god, I’m so sorry, I wasn’t thinking.”

Elijah gave Elyza the death stare, his suspicions deepening.

“We’re discussing this is the main area.”

Rosaline and Praxis sat side by side. Elijah and Elyza positioned on opposite sides of the table, like they were about to debate

“Do you think it’s actually Elyza?” Praxis whispered the Rosaline.

Rosaline thought for a while, “I do believe that this kill happened yesterday night when we were all sleeping. I trust you and Elijah a lot, since you two probably had more than one chance to kill me, hypothetically.” She added. “So, yeah I’m not entirely sure it’s Elyza but I’m heavily suspicious of her.”

Rosaline said it so wisely that Praxis couldn’t help but admire her.

“First of all.” Elijah started, bringing Rosaline’s and Praxis’s attention to him. “When I saw what had happened to Cameron, I noticed that the sharp rock and gloved were very clean, and placed very neatly next to his body. That’s a very big red flag to me, because I know that you are very particular about things being neat and tidy. To the point that it was very peculiar.”

Praxis couldn’t deny that. Elyza was obsessed with things being in order, and even the slightest bit of mess could drive her crazy. But Praxis didn’t want to judge her too badly for that.

“Secondly, you are the only one with access to the camera room, and know how to use the cameras. Literally no one here would’ve tampered with the footage, no possible way. You must’ve turned off the cameras yourself.”

Elyza didn’t try to defend herself as Elijah talked on and on. She instead looked deep in thought, not paying much attention at all.

“What do you have to say for yourself?”

Elyza looked up and stared at Elijah, so much so that it made Elijah slightly uncomfortable.

“Mind you, the camera itself has a button that when pressed, the cameras will switch off, so it’s not my fault that the cameras are not on.” Elyza folded her arms. “As for the placement of the gloves and rock, you have no right to accuse me of that.” Elijah scoffed in response.

“And why are you so sure it’s me? Why aren’t you accusing these two?” She pointed to Rosaline and Praxis.

Elijah looked at them and smiled. “I trust them both. They never show any signs of hostility and have been nothing but nice to me.” He then glared at Elyza. “Whereas you always seem so cold towards us, and you literally tried to hurt me.”

“That was an accide–”

“Nevertheless you are clearly a threat here. But I want to hear you two’s response.” Elijah and Elyza looked at Rosaline and Praxis.

The three finally stepped outside, onto the grounds of Drion MX. The atmosphere of Drion MX was similar to Earth’s atmosphere, so they didn’t need their space suits.

Praxis took a deep breath and exhaled. Felt just like home.

“It’s quite interesting isn’t it?” Rosaline said.

Elijah bent down and picked up a white pebble. It was like any white pebble you would find on Earth. Shiny, glistening, standing out against the green ground.

Praxis didn’t seem to see any signs of plantation around. So they went to hunt for a flat ground that didn’t have many rocks around.

Praxis suddenly heard a soft crack, not far behind them. Praxis turned around and ran back to their friends.

Just a few feet away from the ship, Elijah was lying on the ground, head resting on big green rock, with Rosaline kneeling over him. Praxis caught some blood, nearly blending in with the green rock.

“Oh god! Are you okay Elijah!”

Rosaline didn’t seem to move to help, or to respond to Praxis. It was the first time that Praxis realised that Rosaline had what seemed like a gash on the back of her head. Rosaline shifted her long red hair to hide it.

“Rosaline?”

Elijah stirred, and then got up to his feet, like nothing happened. He looked dazed, his eyes seemed to stare into nothing. Rosaline turned to face Praxis, a smile on her face. Praxis had an uneasy feeling in their stomach, sensing something amiss. There was so much blood on the green rock it might as well be red.

“Are y’all okay?”

Rosaline rested her arm on Elijah’s shoulder, who didn’t budge at all. “Of course, why’d you ask?” She kept grinning.

In the corner of their eye, Praxis caught some black smoke, seeping out of the cracks in the ground, into the air.

Coraline twisted the blue pen in her hand absentmindedly, scanning her clipboard held in her other hand. She frowned, and looked up at the shelves of food in the ship’s pantry again.

“Something’s missing…” she said to herself.

“Is it this?” Coraline jumped and twisted around to find Rosaline, standing at the door of the pantry, holding a piece of bread.

“Ah yes! Please give it to me if you don’t need it.”

Coraline stepped forward to take it for Rosaline’s hand. In a flash Rosaline lunged forward and sunk her teeth into Coraline’s neck.

Coraline had no time to scream and only managed to gurgle, the life already draining out of her. Black smoke started to feed onto the blood of Coraline, black spots marking the red stream of blood.

Rosaline, no longer a human, used her sharp teeth to tear Coraline’s head off, making a wet crack, the head dropping onto the cold floor. Coraline’s body went limp, and slumped over Rosaline. Rosaline pushed her off and wiped her mouth. The black smoke seeped back into the gash on the back of Rosaline’s head. She shifted her red hair to hide it.

Rosaline spotted an air vent, hidden behind the shelves at the back of the pantry. She opened it with ease, climbed down and headed for the changing room to clean up.

ARA | PART 1: LOVE AT FIRST BITE [18+]

(hoping the link works) - Read Ara and Shigarakis story here hehe. MINORS DO NOT INTERACT!

“Kiss,kill,marry”

Billy Hargrove x reader

You cry lightly into his shirt and grip his Jean jacket, he rests his chin onto of your head and arms tightly around you, you mumble though sobs “ I hate you” he rubs your back feeling guilt comes over him “ I know….I know” he’s put you through nothing but hell. The Whole relationship was hell, from the start each kiss and touch was purely to not feel alone both didn’t want commitment but both didn’t want the other in someone else’s arms so this whole thing was running off of the fear of being alone. Both you fighting like cats and dogs, so many bruises or cuts from passed fights. You couldn’t count it on your fingers how many times you fought with him, morning till night you both fought only having genuine moments when one was hurt or in pain by an emotional situation. When billy father would rage, you broke down the door next to killing the man for being inches from billy. if billy didn’t grab you, you be in prison rn. Him the same when your mother spoke down on you or got loud. He was right there with open arms, he knew how to soothe you and he had all the right words but when the moment passed and a rumor or comments were made, even the slightest change in a mood and you both saw red. But god forbid a man or woman looked either way. Tonight wasn’t the case, billy finally crossed a line. He went to a party, when you arrived you caught him kissing some blond. When he noticed you. You saw his eyes go almost blank, deer in headlights. You stormed off. He ran after you only to meet you in the front yard, you didn’t know you could get this angry but you turn punching him in the jaw, he fell back shocked holding his soon to be bruised jaw, you yelled and called him every name in the book. Out of it all what broke him was how emotionless your eyes were when you said “ I hate you william Hargrove” you meant it, other arguments you say it but he knew ya didn’t mean it this one hit him hard. When he finally got home, he broke down crying. Max was so scared she came to him, asking if he was dying. She’s seen her brother broken but to cry this hard broke even her. After a month of the argument, billy was not the same, he went quite even snapping at his friends and slowly starting to distance himself from everyone. You noticed and thought that he finally found a girl and was keeping her secret. You being a master over thinker, the thought drove you crazy so much so you went to him in rage. But when he saw you, he never moved so quickly to hold you, as you yelled and beat at his chest. He felt a calm come over him and he held you tighter, you kinda calmed down not expecting this from him. “ billy” the way he looked up broke you. you pushed back, backing away “ no,no” he reached out gently around your face, kissed you deeply, you felt the tension and anger, rage, sadness in this kiss and like every single “break up” you kissed back returning it, you ran your fingers through his hair as he brought you closer. You pulled back as you both breathed heavy. Looking into each other’s eyes. You felt your body just become tired and angry, heavy tears ran down your face. He pulled you closer into his chest. You sobbed “ I hate you” he only held you tighter “ forgive me y/n, forgive me please” you never heard him beg even when he’s father held broke bottles to his throat he didn’t beg but this was a beg to live and not be alone “ y/n please, stay with me” you felt his chest rumble and shoulders shake “ I’ll be better y/n please “ you look up seeing the blue eyes you loved ooo so much pooled with tears and filled pain “ y/n pl-“ you cut his off, being inches from his face cupping his cheeks and crying too.” Ooo shut up” you sighed “ why do we do this “ he felt his chest become tight and his skin go cold, he knew the real reason but never said it out loud. You look at him “ why billy, why” he moves your hands with his having you lean on his chest. “ we fear being alone” you felt you heart ache, he was right. He was always right. You lean ur head kissing his jaw moving your arm over his shoulder. “But do you love me “ without hesitation he spoke

“ yes, I adore you “ you turn looking into his eyes searching for a lie but found nothing. He looks up “ do you love me “ you smile lightly “ yes”. Let’s just say the next morning you woke up in his bed, both naked intertwined with each other and in love.

Hope for the hopeless

Billy Hargrove x reader

“WILLIAM” you growled, you glared at him so hard your upper lip twitched as you came through the door slamming it behind you. He laid his weights down looking over his shoulder putting his cigarette out. Meeting your glare just to return it “ y/n” he turned fully then the fighting ensued. “ you really think I’m that dumb “ you stick ur finger in his face “ whatever she said was a lie, you really have no faith y/n” you didn’t know why but you pushed him back yelling at him. Growled as you both were in each other’s face yelling. “ ya know what billy, ya know what “ in his cocky tone he mocked you “ know what y/n , know what” he had his hand on his hip still fuming. You look him dead in the eye “ we are done, and I mean it. All we do is fight and all I ever hear is how you miss your whores. Thinking your comments are funny. Then on top of it you just let two of the schools biggest idiots run me Into the ground. You know they start all the rumors along with your little whores” you were fuming at this point finger in his face “ then I hear about how your talking to mrs.wheeler, ya think that’s funny. She’s in her thirties” he rolled his eyes, “ it was harmless” he glared, you glared back only seeing red. When you threw the phone book by the door At him, took the brut of it to his arms and you just kinda started to back up and smile in a way to seem annoying. “ ya know what have. A good life” you ripped the necklace off throwing it to his feet, before he could get a word out” you slammed the door. Billy looked towards the door in a frozen state trying to even process what had happened, it all hit him when the necklace laid on the ground, in his heart he felt the realization that it was over, there wasn’t gonna be a next time by the time he reached the door you were already gone. He gripped the necklace “ y/n “. For the next couple days, he held this hope like he always did, knowing you come back and kiss him and hold him. You come to the pool or pop up at his. Window, he would stay up an extra hour at night waiting for your little tap but it never came. He thought he was okay, he thought you just needed space and you be back in no time but no, a week turned into two then two to three. He sat on the post at the pool, a part of him waiting for you to come in but ya never did. He felt his heart start to really sink, he messed up and he needed you. He signed running his fingers through this hair, he sat on his bed staring into space, it all hit him hard. A tear fell down his cheek. After that night he didn’t care what he did or needed to say, he needed you. It was late like midnight when he broke and came to your window he looked in seeing your back to the window, he felt a smile forming on his lips seeing you in his tshirt. He tapped lightly causing you to jump, which honestly happened even when he called you to tell you. Your face shifted through many emotions, you over close opening it “ bill-“ he cut you, placing his hand behind you head and kissed you deeply, you didn’t understand why you always fell again and again but the way he moved his lips made your heart skip a beat, you gripped his shirt pulling him further in lips still connected as he wrapped his arms around your waist, you jumped wrapping your legs around him, you both Fell onto your bed, both desperate and frustrated, angry but ooo so stupid for one another. You pull away feeling tears fall from your face and you finally just let it all out. The pain of the fight and days apart broke you, when you would out of habit reach for the necklace, it broke you to find your neck empty. He rested his forehead on yours wiping your tears away, the shirt you wore slightly up. He kissed you cheek and neck “ I’m sorry billy” he ran his fingers through your hair and hummed “ no y/n” he looked you in the eyes and sighs “ I’m sorry, I’m supposed to be a good boyfriend and I haven’t been, this month has been hell” you hummed “ I forgive you billy, I missed you so much “ you felt the. Tears but he just smiled kissing you more, he removed his jacket and shoes.

He move his right arm to cup your thighs and then to go under your arm, lifting you up towards your pillows, he spooned you kissing the back of your neck holding you tightly. He was so close, he felt himself becoming whole again, the only women to really learn him was back in his arms. He intertwined his fingers with yours, you giggled lightly smelling his strong Cologne and hint of cigarettes, you turn cupping his cheek kissing him deeply closing your eyes, you put all your love into that kiss. As the street lights came on. The whole world continue to spend you slept better that night. “ I love you billy”, “ I love you more y/n”

Two Years Deep into Depression

I have become A half-empty fishtank What remains within me is gasping for breath.

The stagnant water Circles my hands In the corner the filter struggles to work.

You can hardly See inside me anymore I haven’t bothered to clean the surface.

You will find me Outside on the curb Unwanted and free.

A poem inspired by a lack of motivation to maintain daily hygiene. Depression is so hard sometimes.

Photo credit to Shopify.

I have an AU in which Kiribaku students study in the same group as art teachers like me. There is a lot of fanfiction on ficbook by my authorship (this is for Russian-speaking dudes)

Sometimes I illustrate it. That's it

I can't write more than 200 words without needing to close wattpad entirely and leaving it to simmer for 4 hours 😭

𝗆𝗒 𝗆𝗁𝖺 𝗈𝖼 ⋆˙⟡ ◞ ! 𝖽𝗇𝗂 𝗂𝖿 𝗎 𝗋 𝗀𝗈𝗇𝗇𝖺 𝗁𝖺𝗍𝖾！ദി(˵ ̶̤́ ᴗ ̶̤̀ ˵ ) ✧

𝗇𝖺𝗆𝖾：𝗒𝗎𝗆𝗂𝗆𝗈𝖾 𝗇𝗂𝖼𝗄𝗇𝖺𝗆𝖾：𝗒𝗎𝗆𝗂 𝖺𝗀𝖾：𝟤𝟪 ，𝗀𝖾𝗇𝖽𝖾𝗋：𝗇𝗈𝗇𝖻𝗂𝗇𝖺𝗋𝗒 𝖿𝖾𝗆 （𝖽𝖾𝗆𝗂𝗀𝗂𝗋𝗅），𝗌𝗍𝖺𝗍𝗎𝗌：𝗏𝗂𝗅𝗅𝖺𝗂𝗇 ，𝖼𝖺𝗇 𝗌𝗉𝖾𝖺𝗄 𝟥 𝗅𝖺𝗇𝗀𝗎𝖺𝗀𝖾𝗌，𝖺𝗌𝗍𝗁𝗆𝖺𝗍𝗂𝖼！（𝗉𝗌．𝗂𝗋𝗅 𝗂 𝖺𝗆 𝖺𝗌𝗍𝗁𝗆𝖺𝗍𝗂𝖼，𝗇𝗈𝗍 𝗃𝗎𝗌𝗍 𝗆𝗒 𝗈𝖼！🫰）

𝖿𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗇𝖽𝗌 𝖿𝗋𝗈𝗆 𝖼𝗅𝗈𝗌𝖾𝗌𝗍 𝗍𝗈 𝗇𝗈𝗍：𝗍𝗈𝗀𝖺 𝗁𝗂𝗆𝗂𝗄𝗈，𝗄𝖾𝗇𝗃𝗂 𝗁𝗂𝗄𝗂𝗂𝗌𝗁𝗂 （𝗆𝖺𝗀𝗇𝖾），𝖼𝗁𝗂𝗍𝗈𝗌𝖾 𝗄𝗂𝗓𝗎𝗄𝗂 （𝖼𝗎𝗋𝗂𝗈𝗎𝗌），𝗅𝖺 𝖻𝗋𝖺𝗏𝖺，𝗍𝗈𝗆𝗎𝗋𝖺 𝗌𝗁𝗂𝗀𝖺𝗋𝖺𝗄𝗂，𝖽𝖺𝖻𝗂，𝖺𝗍𝗌𝗎𝗁𝗂𝗋𝗈 𝗌𝖺𝗄𝗈（𝗆𝗋．𝖼𝗈𝗆𝗉𝗋𝖾𝗌𝗌），𝗃𝗂𝗇 （𝗍𝗐𝗂𝖼𝖾）𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗌𝗉𝗂𝗇𝗇𝖾𝗋！ 𝖿𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗇𝖽𝗌 𝗈𝗎𝗍𝗌𝗂𝖽𝖾 𝗈𝖿 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗅𝖾𝖺𝗀𝗎𝖾：𝗈𝖼𝗁𝖺𝖼𝗈 𝗎𝗋𝖺𝗋𝖺𝗄𝖺 （𝗍𝗈𝗀𝖺’𝗌 𝗀𝖿！） 𝖼𝗅𝗈𝗌𝖾 𝗋𝖾𝗅𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗏𝖾𝗌：𝖾𝗆𝗂 （𝗌𝗂𝗌𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝗐𝗁𝗈 𝗂𝗌 𝖺 𝗁𝖾𝗋𝗈）

𝗊𝗎𝗂𝗋𝗄：𝗀𝗁𝗈𝗌𝗍𝗅𝗒，𝗍𝗎𝗋𝗇𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗂𝗇𝗍𝗈 𝖺 𝗀𝗁𝗈𝗌𝗍𝗅𝗒 𝖿𝗂𝗀𝗎𝗋𝖾 （𝗇𝗈𝗍 𝖿𝗎𝗅𝗅𝗒 𝗈𝗉𝖺𝗊𝗎𝖾）𝗐𝗁𝗈 𝖼𝖺𝗇 𝗁𝖺𝗎𝗇𝗍 𝗉𝖾𝗈𝗉𝗅𝖾，𝖽𝗂𝗌𝗍𝗋𝖺𝖼𝗍 𝗉𝖾𝗈𝗉𝗅𝖾 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖼𝖺𝗇𝗇𝗈𝗍 𝖽𝗂𝖾 𝗐𝗁𝖾𝗇 𝗂𝗇 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖿𝗈𝗋𝗆． 𝖺𝖽𝗏𝖺𝗇𝗍𝖺𝗀𝖾𝗌：𝖼𝖺𝗇𝗇𝗈𝗍 𝖽𝗂𝖾，𝖼𝖺𝗇 𝖾𝖺𝗌𝗂𝗅𝗒 𝖽𝗂𝗌𝗍𝗋𝖺𝖼𝗍 𝗈𝗉𝗉𝗈𝗌𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗍𝖾𝖺𝗆， 𝖼𝖺𝗇 𝖾𝖺𝗌𝗂𝗅𝗒 𝗁𝗂𝖽𝖾 （𝗂𝗇 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖽𝖺𝗋𝗄），𝖼𝖺𝗇 𝗁𝖺𝗎𝗇𝗍 𝗉𝖾𝗈𝗉𝗅𝖾 𝖺𝗌 𝖺 𝖿𝖾𝖺𝗋 𝗆𝖾𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗇𝗂𝖼 （𝗌𝖼𝖺𝗋𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗈𝗉𝗉𝗈𝗌𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗍𝖾𝖺𝗆 𝖺𝗐𝖺𝗒），𝖻𝗒 𝖺 𝗌𝗂𝗀𝗇𝖺𝗍𝗎𝗋𝖾 𝗆𝗈𝗏𝖾；𝗌𝗁𝖾／𝗂 𝖼𝖺𝗇 𝗌𝗇𝖾𝖺𝗄 𝗈𝗇 𝗌𝗈𝗆𝖾𝗈𝗇𝖾 𝖿𝗋𝗈𝗆 𝖻𝖾𝗁𝗂𝗇𝖽 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖼𝗁𝗈𝗄𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗆 𝖻𝗎𝗍 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗒 𝖼𝖺𝗇𝗇𝗈𝗍 𝗍𝗈𝗎𝖼𝗁 𝗆𝖾 𝖻𝖾𝖼𝗎𝖺𝗌𝖾 － 𝗀𝗁𝗈𝗌𝗍 𝖿𝗈𝗋𝗆，𝖼𝖺𝗇 𝖿𝗅𝗈𝖺𝗍／𝖿𝗅𝗒！ 𝖽𝗂𝗌𝖺𝖽𝗏𝖺𝗇𝗍𝖺𝗀𝖾𝗌： 𝖼𝖺𝗇𝗇𝗈𝗍 𝗌𝗍𝖺𝗒 𝗂𝗇 𝖿𝗈𝗋𝗆 𝖿𝗈𝗋𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗋，𝖼𝖺𝗇𝗇𝗈𝗍 𝗁𝖺𝗏𝖾 𝗌𝖺𝗆𝖾 𝖼𝗈𝗈𝗅 𝖺𝖽𝗏𝖺𝗇𝗍𝖺𝗀𝖾𝗌 𝗂𝗇 𝗁𝗎𝗆𝖺𝗇 𝖿𝗈𝗋𝗆，𝖼𝖺𝗇𝗇𝗈𝗍 𝖿𝗅𝗒 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗅𝗈𝗇𝗀，𝗎𝗇𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗋𝗈𝗅𝗅𝖺𝖻𝗅𝖾 𝗀𝗅𝗂𝖽𝗂𝗇𝗀 （𝖽𝗂𝗌𝖺𝖽𝗏𝖺𝗇𝗍𝖺𝗀𝖾 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗁𝗂𝖽𝗂𝗇𝗀），𝗆𝖺𝗄𝖾𝗌 𝖾𝖾𝗋𝗂𝖾 𝗇𝗈𝗂𝗌𝖾𝗌 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖼𝖺𝗇𝗇𝗈𝗍 𝗌𝗉𝖾𝖺𝗄 𝗐𝖾𝗅𝗅．

08.01

Confession ♱

“You’re a furious person.”

That’s not wrong, not really. I am not kind; I was not taught to be kind. Even if kindness had been there to guide me through my youth, I doubt it would’ve taken root. Anger has dwelt in me for too long. Resentment festers within me like a plague, making me bitter—too bitter.

Yet, it’s never enough. This anger floats inside me, scarring my soul so deeply that it aches, but I can never act on it. I am not vengeful; my resentments merely turn into abandonment of those presumed closest to me. But I’m learning now as I mature—you cannot abandon love. Physically, you cannot.

When I was younger, care-free and proud of my independence, it was so easy to leave. I had never experienced longing for another person; I had never formed trust with anyone. I built myself up from nothing, and if there was even the slightest chance of being torn down, I cut it off. Quicker than these relationships could even form, I would leave them without a trace of sympathy.

I can no longer say the same. Caution has seeped into me, and I am wary of my future. I can fearfully admit, I am at a point where I have come to rely on someone. People dream of finding their soulmate, but I fear it is to my detriment. I wanted to be alone, but you won’t let me. And because you won’t let me I am angry.

Once again, I feel as I did in childhood. During puberty, I was consumed by a fury that came with the tumult of a growing female body. My emotionless self was suddenly overwhelmed with a flood of feelings that had to be drowned out. But now, as I edge into adulthood, they return, and just like then, I don’t know why. Perhaps when I am older, when my smile lines deepen, and the skin on my knuckles loosens, I’ll understand. But for now, it feels like there is nothing I can do.

I often find myself looking back at those restless teenage years, remembering when I confused innocence with bravery and charged headlong into any situation. My soulmate knows nothing of it—I was a different person then. My past is ugly, my anger is ugly, and I cannot be ugly to my love.

I can be ugly here.

07.29

Introduction ♱

This is a last resort.

I do not enjoy writing about myself; I may even hate it. My livelihood revolves around documenting the latest advancements in medicine and synthetic biology. Passions and aspirations were left behind long ago for a career and the promise of stability. As I set aside my desire to write my truths and quench my thirst, I defy the odds laid out by those before me.

It’s fucking exhausting.

Even in days past, I never wrote about myself. Instead, I immersed myself in the characters I read about or watched in the countless pieces of media I had the time to consume. I fell in love with their struggles, perhaps projecting myself onto them. I clung to these characters so tightly, devoting myself to these fictional beings, only to be disappointed by the reality beyond the page.

Sometimes I feel I am not meant for the real world.

Now, I am grown. Independence found me early, carrying me far and gifting me with early successes that impressed those who still had others to rely on. They don't understand the circumstances; I would be the same as them if given the opportunity. Desperately, I would cling to what they consider normal, let it nurture me, and bask in a newfound dependence. In an attempt to taste reliance, I took a lover—one who grew up properly loved and appreciated. This didn't do much for me; it only exposed the gaps left in my development from a lack of care. Strangely enough, it was humiliating.

Love is humiliating.

And though it is humiliating, it is stable. My relationship screams stability. Perhaps I am the most unstable piece in the puzzle of my love; I am the root of most of our quarrels. This is not my intent. This petulance and rage are not something to be proud of. Memories of the past fade into sunken emotions that surface at the slightest hint of criticism. Though unprovoked, these bursts of emotion are so powerful that even I am surprised. So, I suppose this is an attempt to confront these feelings, to reflect enough to quiet the nagging thoughts and let the past rest.

To those reading, I offer a warm welcome. May you find solidarity in these stupid and meaningless ramblings that I promise you I will never act on.

Will shocking Hannibal by showing up at his office unannounced, covered in sweat, apologizing for the intrusion and telling Hannibal that he doesn’t know how he got there.

Hannibal doesn’t care, he thinks Will’s most beautiful when his emotions are raw. Grabs Will by the back of the neck as he watches him nod feverishly when Hannibal asks if it was: “a bad dream..?”.

Hannibal smiling as he rubs his hands down the sides of Will’s head and neck, whispering that he was okay and that he’s there. Feeling ELATED when Will leans his head onto his shoulder as he makes his way through another mild seizure.

Hannibal trying not to sound happy as he talks to Will knowing he will remember his voice and nothing else. Always happy to know a plan is working.

“I’m here. See? No one else. Just me and you.” Grabbing Will’s face in one hand and using the other to cup the back of his neck again and acting as if he’s never even thought of doing such a thing when Will gains consciousness an hour later.

“All better now?” His voice hazy as he watches from his chair as Will’s eyes scanter around the room before leaning forward and brushing his hand against his neck in the pretense of checking his fever.

“You had an episode. Nothing too bad but…nothing is going to hurt you.” He leaned back to rest comfortably in his chair and watched as Will fought to either give in or ignore his blatant manipulation. He knows Will would question why he heard him but doesn’t remember ever leaving his bed. Knows that Will is apprehensive of the situation because he was just feeding his dogs. Know that Will is breaking and needs a constant thing for balance.

“Not with me here…”

Hannibal’s willing to become that constant.

Kurosawa’s humiliation kink needs to be studied.

The way it perfectly aligns with Adachi’s praise kink is literally too much to bear. For both of them.

Imagine a little while into their relationship Kurosawa is feeling just a little more...overprotective, of Adachi one day.

He’s worked up from who knows what and as soon as he gets Adachi into that bed he’s merciless because he LOVES to hear Adachi whimper in overstimulation.

Laughing oh-so sadistically when Adachi grabs his wrist and close his legs to keep him out when he places his hand back on his “special parts” after multiple rounds.

“Oh, sweetheart..” in the fondest voice full of mirth when he responds with “Let me help you..” knowing that Adachi would take one look at him and give in again.

Feeling absolutely ELATED when he sees the tears of pleasure that spring to Adachi’s eyes after he came and telling him “You’re doing so well, princess..” while pressing kisses to his cheeks to make him relax enough to shove back in for the fourth time.

Throwing heartfelt praises here and there and asking “Do you like it?” And “Aww, I know. It feels so good doesn’t it?” and feeling himself twitch when Adachi struggles to give him an answer through incoherent babbles from the mind numbing pleasure.

Actually stopping when he fails to receive an answer and gently forcing Adachi to say what he needs him through all his hiccups and aborted gasp so he can be at an all time high when he pounds back into him.

Giving Adachi’s aftercare and still making him humiliate himself. Wiping him until he stirs and prompting him to tell him so. “Kurosawa..” he starts as blush overtake his face when Kurosawa’s eyes snap to his. “Feels too good…” and taking pleasure in seeing Adachi hiding his face in his neck as he relents and properly cleans him to let him sleep.

And there NEEDS to be more fics on it.

I can honestly see this with Takara-kun and Amagi-kun too. And Nozue-San and Togawa.

And so I rest my case.

Kurosawa accidentally finding out that Adachi has a praise kink and using it to his advantage.

Constantly complimenting him when he finished something at work by petting his head. Sliding his hand down to gently grip his nape as he lets Adachi know “How good” he’s beings for him.

Feeling pure exhilaration as he leaves Adachi a stuttering mess to go help a coworker.

Getting home late to find Adachi cleaning and calling him a “good boy” before giving his the deepest kiss he can before going to shower.

Sitting on the couch with his legs crossed and calling Adachi random names until he reacts in a certain way.

“Baby? Love? …Princess?”

Feeling like he won the lottery as he chases a visibly affected Adachi back into their room to use the new term in bed to make Adachi as embarrassed as he can because let’s be honest.

The man had a thing for humiliation.

Where Character A would prefer not to have kids and Character B would really prefer if they have 3 so they could grow up with a support system

Where later down the line when it’s getting serious, Character A still doesn’t want kids and stresses themself out about giving their lover what they want; and Character B hits them with:

“I want kids but not at the expense of not having you. I’m willing to wait until you're ready and if you truly don't want any, then we'll spend our lives with only each other.”

AND I FUCKING SOB BC B IS SUCH A GOOD PERSON AND THEYRE WILLING TO GIVE UP ONE OF THEIR MAJOR GOALS BC THEY LOVE A MORE THAN THEY WANT TO ACHIEVE IT

When a character pouts in retaliation of being told no and the other just goes,

“Stop that, you know what your doing. HEY, Fuck. Fine, take it.”

Sharp jawlines and all that are fine and dandy but I want to see more of the less active characters.

Like describe to me in the best and biggest words possible why a larger frame with softened edges is one of the hottest things in the world.

A lover absolutely enthralled with the need to kiss their chubby cheeks that look like mochi and the way their round eyes sparkle at everything: literally OBSESSED with the way their soft middle and plush thighs looks in a skirt/suit/pjs (literally everything)

Can’t get enough of resting their head on their chest bc instead of hard muscles it’s soft, warm, and inviting bc of their scent like-

PLEASE

As a writer, one of my favorite ship dynamics is when one partner is just jacked beyond reason and the other is busy drawing faces on their little tummy and laughing about it; completely content with their body and proud of their partner’s efforts to be happy in theirs too.

A fluff piece of them going to show their partner the face on their belly who stops their pushups to let them do the same and laughs at how deformed the face is bc of their abs.

Wolf & Bunny Pt. 3

Previous Part First Part Day 16

This might not have been a great idea. Between the crowd of strangers- bodies of skin, fur, and scales pressed together uncomfortably close (not to mention the smells)- and the thumping of the music in your ears you feel like your heart might explode. The only thing keeping you grounded is her warm, soft hand in your own and the cocky smirk on her face as she leads you up to the bar.

You and Bunny have been texting almost non-stop since your coffee date a few weeks ago, but the two of you have both been too swamped with work since then to have a second date. Until tonight, when she invited you out to your first Animal club. It's kind of funny, you've been working at a bar and grill but hadn't actually been out to a bar or club yourself (you blamed the lack of in-real-life friends). Hell, you hadn't even gone out when you turned twenty-one; you just awkwardly stumbled your way through buying some soda and Fireball at the corner store to make a drink for yourself at home.

Now, a gorgeous girl was taking you to a furry bar. Cool. You can be so cool about this. You've been desperate for this date, and you don't want to fuck it up and let her find out what a loser you actually are. So, you smile despite how much you hate the noise and crowd and you join her at the bar. She orders you a drink and introduces you to one of the bartenders, who she seems to know. Her name is Daria, and she is apparently some type of dog breed called Bor-something. She seems nice, if a little off putting. Her long, white fur was pulled back into little tufts by dozens of elastics and hair clips- presumably to keep hair from getting all over the place- and she had a bit of a staring problem.

Bunny orders drinks for the both of you without your input. Is it weird that you find that so attractive? She exudes confidence you've always wished you had. You catch her smirking at you with a knowing look. "Stick around with me long enough, and I might start rubbing off on you," she chuckles before downing her shot. She downs two more faster than you can finish sipping the rum and coke she'd ordered for you.

Before you even realize what's happening, the two of you are on the dance floor. She's practically draped herself over you, arms wrapped around your neck, as the two of you move in tandem. God, you want her so fucking bad. The alcohol swims through your brain and you suddenly feel that it would be an extremely good idea to kiss her. Maybe it wasn't, but your lips have already met hers before the rational thoughts catch back up to you.

Fuck, her lips are magical. They melt into your own, and Bunny- who so far had seemed so firm and rough, taking the lead in your relationship- seems to completely surrender to you. It feels really fucking good to be the one in control. You grip her waist, a bit harder than you might have meant to, and pull her against you. You growl against her mouth, and you feel her lips curl into a smile before returning to kissing you.

Things almost lead you back to her place for the night, but she manages to get things slowed down before you both do something you might regret. She at least lets you see her home safely before she gets you a cab back to your place. You both spend quite a while making out in front of her door before she sends you away with a playful spank- promising that your next date will be much more intimate.

You’re horny the whole ride home, and a small part of you- the animalistic voice that you’ve always pushed down to a quiet place in your mind- tells you you should punish her for getting you so worked up.

Wolf and Bunny, Pt. 2

Hi, this is a series now that I’m collaborating with @grumpybunny-edith on!

Part 1- Part 1 [Bunny POV] Next Part

Day 0

“One seventy-five, eighty-eight.”

You stare at the screen in disbelief. Your heart starts racing and your blood runs cold. Something has to be wrong, it shouldn’t be that expensive for a single month’s supply of a single one of your hormones.

“Wait,” you try to keep your voice steady and grip the counter to try and shake off the feeling that you’re going to pass out, “is that with my insurance?”

The pharmacy tech gives a sad smile, “I’m sorry, I checked it three times just to be sure.”

Shit. SHIT. What the fuck were you going to do now? There’s no way you could afford that with a full week until payday, and even then that would end up eating into a good chunk of your budget. You thank her, and let her know you’ll be right back.

You’re trying very hard to focus on your breathing as you pull your phone out. Your anxiety has been at an all time high ever since you started this process, and you second-guess yourself constantly. Maybe this is a sign that this was a bad idea after all? Everyone you care about kept trying to talk you out of starting hormone therapy, trying to convince you either that the feelings you had would pass or that lycomorphone would fuck your life up.

Now you were being priced out of it. You scroll through GoodRx to see if maybe you can get a better price through them than your shitty insurance while meandering through the aisles. In the background, you can hear another girl arguing with the pharmacist; she seems to be getting pretty heated.

There’s about ten bucks in crumpled ones in your pocket from a tip a customer gave you last night, which you use to buy a Monster before moving outside- the argument at the pharmacy is only making your anxiety worse. You lean against the cool concrete wall of the drug store as you continue desperately searching for your medication on the mobile site.

After a moment, another woman storms out of the building. She’s muttering angrily to herself as she takes out a cigarette and takes up a spot on the wall near you. Holy fucking shit, she’s so gorgeous. An absolute badass smoke-show is standing right fucking next to you and you’re too big of a disaster to even form a coherent thought even though you desperately want to say fucking anything to make yourself look cool in front of her.

She seems to notice your distress, “Sorry, I can stand further away if this is bothering you.”

“No, no I’m good,” you respond quickly. Say something, dumbass. Literally, say anything. For the love of all that is holy, do not fuck up a chance to talk to a pretty girl like this. “Tough day?” Fuck it, it will have to do.

She lets out an annoyed laugh, “I’ve been waiting two weeks for my prescriptions, and they’ve been no help at all. They say it’s my doctor’s fault, but my doctor insists they’ve sent the prescriptions right on their end. Which leaves me without my fucking hormones, but no one seems to care.”

You start to feel angry on her behalf- how fucking dare they make someone suffer like that? Before your brain even realizes what you’re doing, your morbid humor kicks in, “Wanna set the building on fire? It probably won’t help, but it might make you feel better.”

She laughs. Like the hopeless romantic you are, you’re already picturing both of you picking out wedding dresses together. Get it together for fuck’s sake. “You’re cute. Thank you, but I’ll have to decline, even though it’s very tempting.”

She drops and stomps out her cigarette. “Hey,” she pauses and you notice that she’s blushing a little bit, “you’re a wolf girl, right? Sorry, I couldn’t help but overhear you trying to get your meds.” She taps her ear, and you notice it twitch ever so gently, “Rabbit hearing. It’s one of the first changes you really notice.”

Did you just seriously start salivating? What the hell is wrong with you? You swallow and smile shyly, “Yeah, but I haven’t gotten my meds yet.”

“I noticed. Sorry.” She checks her phone then sighs, “Well, this is super annoying. I need a drink. Wanna hit up the coffee shop across the street? My treat,” she smiles.

“Absolutely,” the word tumbles out in practically a single syllable as you practically leap off the wall to join her.

She chuckles. “I’m Bunny,” she says while offering you her hand.

“That’s a little on the nose, don’t you think?” Why are you so fucking dense?

Rather than getting offended, she laughs, “I didn’t pick it, actually. It was just a happy coincidence.” You take her hand. After a moment she gives you a look, “And your name is…?”

“Shit, right. Sorry. I’m Lou. Louisa.”

“Sure it’s not short for lupine?”

“It’s not not short for that.”

Hey, that was over a year ago now. Congratulations, you’ve managed to not fuck up this relationship so far! Idiot.

I wanna continue my current original book, but it's kinda depressing how it's going.

Can anyone just check it out and give it a reviews? Criticism very much appreciated. I just need something that isn't silence.

It has two chapters for now.

Royal Road

The Yellow Coat - Storms and Sour Shades

"Boys and girls! Come now! Let me tell you a tale of... The STORMbringer." Huddled around a fire, a group of children sat on wood