Echo's sPicY January Writing ♡♡♡

Well, you all know me and my writing skills so most of this will be absolute garbage. But we'll all love it because it was typed by me, the fabulous Narrator who has no life. ♡♡♡

**Edit: I never finished this and I removed the more... cringy ones. Rip**

## Day One (Although I sort of missed this day) - Abstract Nonsense

(This one is based around Rin/Rogue!Echo and the song "Abstract Nonsense" by Neru, since I always think of Rin when listening to that song. So... it's sorta a songfic? -Shutters due to my cringiness and understanding of what a songfic is- Anyways, let's get a going on this now lol) (well, I mean, technically this is also Rin's backstory as well, so in a way it is a songfic but not? Idk)

***Ah, attach a price tag to me. Ah, even life itself is expectantly not moving foward. I'll round the numbers.***

Rin smiled at her older siblings, feeling happy and nervous as the camera was aimed at her. She was born with her own beauty, along with defying Glitchian traditions and being able to become a child, clothing-model due to being born with beautiful dove wings. She was lucky, and she was grateful, although at this moment it was someone who wanted to see if Rin was good enough to become one. They wanted a attach a price to her, to see what value she had in her prettiness. Rin didn't mind, though, that this photographer only held value in her appearance.

Rin knew it was her only chance to not be forced to join the military, and she was going to defy all traditions at any given chance. The little photoshoot Rin was going through was taking forever, though, like they usually did. North pulled a funny face and made Rin giggle, making her grin a bit wider and made her look happier.

Rin was happy, although her life was not usually so good. Of course, while Rin and her twin, North, was too young to remember it, thier parents died in a fire accident. All four children (Jay, Silence, North, and Rin) were sent to stay at an orphanage, which was rather old and somewhat crowded. Growing up, Rin thought that time moved too slow for her.

And then a certain day came. A day where her beauty was ripped away. A day where everything was too fast.

"You wings will get us hundreds on the black market!"

The man continued to throw Rin against the wall, attempting to make her still. Blood splattered against the bricks as Rin felt her nose become bloodied, along with harsh bruises and scrapes now forming.

The woman instructed him, "Just hold her down, idiot! I can get her wings!" Rin struggled against the man, although she could feel her energy be drained from her body as the man seemed to have an ability to drain it.

Rin screamed as she felt the blade cut into her back, and the man gagged Rin with a cloth to make her be quiet. Everything hurt, Rin couldn't quit crying, and it was pure torture as the woman carved out Rin's wings from her body. It felt like pure hell. Rin laid on her side as the man and woman left, blood, some feathers, and leftover remains of her wings covering her back in a horrific mess. Rin could barely breath or keep her eyes open as crimson covered the area around her, staining her clothes, body, and the concrete.

Everything was getting darker and colder around her, and Rin was able to get the gag out of her mouth. She coughed a few times, and closed her eyes, accepting that she was going to die from blood loss.

"RIN!"

Rin heard a voice, but couldn't make out who it belonged to. Everything just seemed to blur and muffle.

But Rin didn't die. It seemed like the world decided that it wasn't time for her to.

And Rin hated the world for letting her survive that.

***Ah, you should come over here too. Ah, how many people are you going to kill like that? Round the number.***

Rin watched in horror as North was dragged in front of the crowd by King Alder.

"Traitor!" Alder screamed. "You shall be punished for your crimes!"

North smirked up at the tyrant, "If that was a crime punishable by law, then you, sir, should as well be given capital punishment!" The king threw North to the ground.

No. NO. NO, NO, NO. Rin watched, frozen in fear, as North smiled to the crowd as he knew his end would come. Rin watched her only family member still alive grin as his life was about to be whisked away.

"By law, I think I get to give a speech," North hummed. "Since it will be my last words, of course."

King Alder narrowed his eyes.

"Fine. Only after I declare what you have done." He motioned a soldier to go behind North, and the soldier held a pistol to the back of North's neck, the barrel touching his skin. North didn't even flinch.

"This young man, a traitor to our kingdom, has helped Princess Lillian run away!" King Alder yelled. "He has as well stolen from the kingdom! He has helped destruction come to our future as now we have no one to lead after me! He has stolen from our future!"

North laughed, "Is that really what you're going with?"

King Alder ignored him, and continued, "Now we must punish this man with the only thing that can atone for his crime!"

North smiled, "If this is how I die, then so be it. If I die for one of the greatest causes for our people, so be it! You are just a tyrant with fancy words that only wants to use the people for your own selfishness! Your greed will be the end to our future!" He looked straight at Rin, dead in the eyes. "AND IF WHAT I DONE WAS PUNISHABLE BY DEATH, THEN MAY THIS TYRANT OF A MAN HAVE ONE THAT IS TEN TIMES WORST! MY DEATH IS ONLY SOMETHING THAT SHALL FUEL MY GENERA-"

**BANG!**

Crimson splattered upon the ground in front of him, his eyes loosing colour and his skin starting to tint gold. Even in death, North continued to smile.

And Rin wondered if she would go the same way her siblings and friends did, branded as a traitor to her kingdom, a bullet through her throat. Rin felt wetness upon her face as she watched his body fall to the ground, the redness spilling off the stage. Her dear twin that promised to always be by her side was now dead.

***Ah, if you keep crawling like a beggar. Ah, the proof will never be finished. Round the number.***

Rin had ran away from the orphanage, deciding that she was too old for the place anyways. No one wanted to adopt a teenager, and she sort of had a job anyways. She worked as a servant in the Middle Kingdom's castle, and it wasn't that bad. Although, Rin couldn't help but give her money to someone else. There was this kid, a small child, who was homeless as well.

And Rin couldn't help but give most of her money to that kid and his friends...

Rin knew that it wasn't going to benefit her. She knew that she was hungry... she knew she needed to save up to at least get a decent house... she knew that giving away her money like that was useless...

But she felt like the kid and his friends needed it more. She didn't know why she would do it, but Rin just did it. She just simply did it. There had to be a reason why, but Rin couldn't find one.

Rin hated herself. She leaned against the wooden walling, chewing on some bread she was able to trade for. She missed going to school, but she needed to run away from that awful orphanage. It was a toxic place, and Rin hated everyone there except for the other children... okay, some of the children. The staff was awful to Rin, and she just couldn't stand it anymore. And because Rin ran so far away, she couldn't go to the same school anymore. It wasn't like she had the money to do so, anyways.

Rin knew her choice was a pure sign that she was nothing but an idiot. A waste of time. A mere piece of trash. Her voice was to always be ridiculed.

How many lives have she destroyed with her presence? Rin couldn't round the number. Rin hated numbers.

Rin hated herself, and she never could seem to truly smile after all that.

## Day Two - Servant of Evil

(This is a little AU thing based off of the vocaloid song "Servant of Evil". Ya'll will get some quality North content we all need.) (-sigh-, yes it's another songfic haha.)

(Slight curse warning, but it's sort of used in a certain way so, like, in a way, yeah.)

***Oh, my lady, my queen, I will serve until I die. Fate had given us life, now the twins are damned with spite. Even so, I will guard you and block out all the pain. I will dirty my hands so your smile remains.***

North smiled over to his twin, Echo, as the young queen talked about a book she had read. When they were young, they were once separated from each other for the benefit of the people above them. For the benefit of the evil above them. But fate had brought them back together, and he was overjoyed! North promised to protect her no matter what, even if it cost him his life.

He never wanted to see her cry again, like Echo did on that wretched day where they are forced apart to live seperate lives. He wanted to continue to see her smile.

***Wandering the streets of town a maiden caught my eye; In the country of the green she turned with beautiful light. With a voice as gentle as the seraph's lullaby, I knew in my heart that it was love at first sight...***

North carried his journal in his hands, gazing about the wondrous street. He accidentally bumped into someone, dropping his book.

"I'm sorry, ma'am! I wasn't paying attention!" North apologized. The lady looked up at him with beautiful, purple-coloured eyes that shined like pearls. North felt heat rise to his face as he felt his heartbeat speed up.

"It's okay! Here, let me get that for you," the lady spoke in a voice that, to North, was like hearing the voice of an angel from above. The lady picked up North's journal and handed it him. "I'm Lillian."

"I-I'm North," the teen stammered back, awestruck by Lillian. "Oh! Thank you, ma'am."

"You're welcome. You're not from around here, are you? I can show you around!"

"Yes please!" As the two of them walked and spoke, North realized that he had fell in love at first sight with the Princess of Green.

...***But her beauty strays from the will of my lord; she had deemed it so that the girl be no more. I will heed my call for that's what I live for. But my queen, tell me why these tears burn at my core?!***

A few months passed, and North walked into his twin's room, in which he was called to do so. He found her crying, staring at a picture of the Prince of Blue.

"You had called me, my queen?" North asked, bowing.

"...North... I need you... to..." Echo stopped, wiping tears from her eyes and staring bitterly at the ground. "I... want you to kill the Princess of Green." North felt his heart nearly stop, and his breath caught in his throat.

"...Do you truly want me... to do that?" North stood up. "Will it bring you...happiness?"

Echo slowly looked up from the picture she was holding and nodded.

North slowly said, "...Then she will be no more, my queen."

"Bring me the officer for war," Echo spoke. "There is something else that needs to be done."

"...Yes, my queen," North spoke, turning.

"Thank you, North."

North held the pistol in his hands, the coolness of the weapon making his skin tingle. He felt the knot grow in his stomach, and a heavy weight was in his chest. North shook off his emotions, reminding himself that he had to do this. He had to make Echo smile again. He watched as the Princess of Green strolled out into her garden... her grave.

"I'm sorry..." North whispered, tears welling up in his eyes as he aimed the weapon at Lillian. "...But...I have to do this...I'm... so sorry..."

Eight crows surrounded Lillian's body, cawing in what sounded like sadness as the blood spilled from the wound on her head. North put the pistol away, feeling his body hurt. His whole chest and stomach hurt.

But... this would make Echo happy... right? Then... why was he crying?

***Soon now this kingdom will be torn across the wind; strangled by the people who were crushed in it's grip. If the masses call this retribution for your sins, I will challenge that God who could ask for my twin...***

"Echo, you need to run," North said. "The people are uprising! They are coming for you!"

Echo laughed, "They will only chase me, North. They won't give up until I'm dead."

North shook his head, and hugged his sister, tears forming in his eyes.

"Not on my watch will you die."

***..."Come and quickly change your clothing and go in my place..."***

North handed Echo an outfit of his. "Change into this! Quickly!" Echo did as she was told, not knowing what North was doing... until...

She saw him in one of her dresses, his hair fashioned like her's. North looked exactly like Echo.

"North...no... I-"

North cut her off, saying, "You will run away, okay? I'll stay here."

***..."I will stay behind and wait while you make your escape..."***

"North, I can't! They'll kill you!" Echo pleaded.

***..."It will be okay, I was born to live this day. Not a single soul will know that you got away!"***

"Echo, I love you. I want you to run, okay? Please, I was meant to do this," North smiled, hugging his sister tightly. "Just let me see you smile on last time, okay? Now go! Hurry!"

"...Thank you..."

***...And now I am the queen and you're living on the run. Heaven pity the twins who were hated and were shunned! If they say you're the devil, a demon in the flesh... By my blood I am the same and will bare the fate you left...***

North sat in the small jailcell, staring at the wall. He smiled as he remembered how he and Echo would play together when they were younger...

When the people didn't hate them...

When they were innocent...

Tears slipped from North's eyes as he smiled at his memories.

***Even if the world was to send you their vice, if they damn your name as they gather and cry...***

The mercenary pushed North's head into the guillotine roughly. The crowd chanted and screamed curses. They cursed his sister's name. North stared ahead, but then he saw her. He smiled at her.

***...I will never stray and will stay by your side! So just smile somewhere in a better life!***

Echo smiled back, tears streaming down her face. The blade came down with a swift *whoosh!* as the church bells chimed in the distance.

***...Oh my lady, my queen, I will serve until I die. Fate had granted us life and now the twins are damned with spite...***

***...If someday we're reborn and are pardoned from all our crimes...***

***...Let us walk hand in hand to a world filled with light...***

(Here is the link to the version of the song I used: https://youtu.be/qwL9aqOBpHI)

## Day Seven- Rin's Thinking

Where Rin came from, there were many beliefs of how their dimension was made. The most traditional and oldest belief, to Rin, was the prettiest yet most bittersweet.

There was a deity, so gentle and lonely in the void around her. She wanted life. She wanted to create life. She would give away anything to create life. The deity had to die, though. To create life, the deity had to die.

And so the deity did. The deity had taken her own life to create an infinity value of life. Her blood became the dark silver waters, and her breath became the air and winds Rin enjoyed. Her body became the land and life forms, filling the void of eternal darkness with life.

The deity loved the idea of life so much that she had gave her own life for it.

Rin frowned from the spot on the mattress she laid on, remembering how shrines and churches to the deity were abandoned so long ago that very few even remembered the deity's name. Rin squinted in the dark, trying to think.

The deity's name...

What was it? Rin lazily rolled over on her side, now staring at the bland wall. She had to think for a long moment.

Lulevetok. Yes... that was the deity's name. Some said that the deity's soul still remained, watching over her species of beings, Glitchians.

A corrupted species, without a doubt.

Rin chuckled monotonely to herself, reminding herself that she was horrifically corrupted as well. Was she not? She has stolen from people. She threatened people. She was...

Yes, corrupted. Rin found the negative word suitable for a idiotic life like her. Rin rolled back over on her back, sighing quietly. She *was* horrid.

Rin found herself listing all her negative traits, trying to explain to herself on why she was corrupt as a being. Trying to explain to herself on why she was what she hated the most.

Unreasonable, violent, irrational, snarky, brattish, rude, cold, stupid, distant, abstract, uncaring, rash, ugly, cynic, dishonest, petty, harsh... the list went on forever.

Rin laughed. It was a sharp and emotionless laugh. Rin couldn't care less of who she was.

It wasn't like it would matter once she was dead. What would happen after she died? What impact to the world would her death make?

Nothing. Rin's life held no value or beauty.

Rin was nothing Lulevetok wanted. Rin felt wetness run down her face; she realized her insides were in pain from a sudden, stupid sadness.

"Idiotic child," Rin spoke to herself aloud. "You're right. You're nothing. You're ugly and stupid. It's would be a shock if such a wonderous being watched over your soul. Stupid child. You're a weed among a bunch of bloomed roses."

Rin rolled over on her side, giving a long sigh. She wondered in what made the stars, moon, and sun of the dimension she was in. She wondered upon what beliefs the people here had.

Her mind wondered more and more, racing with thoughts and worthless emotions that meant nothing to the teen.

Was Lulevetok watching such a horrible brat like Rin? If so, why would she? Rin grinned widely, fake amusement filling her mind. Artificial emotions, Rin would put it as.

Rin must of been entertaining if Lulevetok wanted to watch someone like her. Rin must of been the laughingstock of Glitchians.

Suddenly, saddness filled Rin's mind and heart once again. Rin growled at herself, hating the feeling of such a pathetic emotion. It was a worthless emotion... right? It would do nothing but hurt Rin.

*Why do you not love yourself?*

 Rin slapped at her face, scrunching up her face at such a thought of her being loved. Platonic-wise or romantic-wise, Rin didn't deserve love. She didn't deserve the relief of even self-love. It would be foolish. Rin hated love, so she avoided the feeling. In the end, either the person who Rin loved would die or leave.

They always would. Rin remembered Lillian and sat up, looking over at the teen. Did she hear anything Rin said to herself? No... Lillian was in deep sleep.

Rin hated herself for loving Lillian. Lillian was like a sister to Rin, in a way. Rin hated her friendship with Lillian.

Rin knew Lillian would die at some point. Wasn't that what friends were made for?

To break your heart when their own heart stopped? To leave you alone in the world, leaving you to your own hysteria?

Rin laid back down on her back, her shoulders and back starting to ache with old pain.

Rin smiled.

Pain. Pain was something Rin could handle if the emotions weren't attached.

*You're so beautiful, even without your wings.*

 Rin's face distorted into a scowl. No she wasn't. She wasn't anything near beautiful. She was a displeasing disgrace to the eyes of others, unattractive in both appearance and personality. Her wings gave her beauty, but since they were stripped away, her charming looks were gone. That's what Rin learned from Glitchian culture.

Rin glanced at Lillian, jealous envy creeping into her mind. Lillian was able to pull off not having wings. Rin wanted that. She wanted to look beautiful like Lillian.

Why couldn't she have any luck with that?

*Your smile-*

 Rin punched herself, tired of the sudden melancholy voice in her head speaking such invaluable opinions.

Rin was nothing.

Rin was trash.

Rin would one day die and no one would care.

And Rin was fine with that...

Was she?

## Day Ten- If The SAMB!Plot of Echo's Was A Movie Series (Part One)

(I got the inspiration for this from some BNHA fanart depicting the anime as if it was a filmed series/movie played by actors. Lol, time for ya'll to read cringe)

The camrea man set up his equipment, aiming the lenses at the three actors sitting in the chairs, waiting patiently to be interviewed.

"Uh, Mr.Amor, sir, how exactly is the interview gonna work?" The teen female asked, tucking her cyan-dyed hair behind her ear nervously. "I mean, what are the questions gonna be about?"

"No need to be so formal! Call me Alma," the camrea man replied. "These will be questions about what it was like to work together on set and how acting in different scenes felt like."

"Oh! Okay!" The teen smiled.

Her twin, a young boy who looked very similar to her face-wise was fidgeting with the collar of his jacket, having trouble with straightening it out. The youngest of all three actors, a ten year old, raven-haired kid, stood up and walked over to the struggling teen, fixing the collar for him. He quickly walked back to his chair.

All three child-actors were nervous for the interview, all three finding that talking to a camrea was strange compared to acting in front of one.

It was very strange. All three children were unusually quiet as they waited for Alma to finish.

"Okay, all set! How about we start with introducing you all?" Alma smiled.

"Oh, wait, the camera is going?" The teen boy asked.

Alma chuckled, "Yep!"

The teen boy's face tinted pink, and he waved to the camrea, "Hello! I am Noel Archer, the actor for North!"

Next, the youngest child waved rapidly, "Hewwo! My name is Zhang Ruohan! I am the actor for Galaxian!"

The female teen did a peace sign and smiled, "Hola! The name is D'Lisa Archer, and I act as the character Echo!"

Alma nodded from behind the camera, "Okay, so the first question I have is: *How do you all know each other*?"

"Oh! Well, Noel and I are actually twins," D'Lisa spoke. "So, uh, we have no choice."

Noel laughed, "Hey! You make it sound like a bad thing!"

Ruohan said, "I didn't know them until we were introduced. Actually, the directors put all three of us in a room together and were like, 'Get to know each other!' and then shut the door." He smiled. "We also heard them lock the door! They locked three children in room thinking that it would help us get along! It was really awkward."

Noel said, "We all sort of stared at each other, and D'Lisa leaned over to me at one point and whispered, 'He looks... very young...' And I was like, 'Yeah, he does!'."

Ruohan laughed, "Wait, how old did you both think I was?"

The twins both answered, "We thought you were seven."

"That was last year! I was nine last year!" All three children seemed to be getting more comfortable in front of the camera. "I did not look that young!"

"I mean, you do fit the age appearance of Galaxian, so we were like, really confused on how young you were," D'Lisa grinned.

Alma spoke, "What did you all think of each other when you first met? Zhang Ruohan, you go first."

Ruohan sort of gave a nervous laugh, "Well, they both sort of scared me. I knew they were a lot older than me, and none of us said anything for half an hour or so. We all sort of stared at each other, and they both were very emotionless and didn't really even looked like they were moving. I swear that they both didn't even blink!" Ruohan chucked and continued, "After a while Noel stood up and introduced himself and D'Lisa and asked me what my-" Rouhan burst out laughing quietly. "-He stared me straight in the eyes and asked me what my favourite colour was with the most intense look on his face like it was a life or death situation."

Noel spoke, "I was like, 'Welp, gotta say something!' and I panicked and said the first thing that came to my mind. I think I almost died of cringing at myself when I asked Ruohan that question."

D'Lisa said, "Oh! I remember that! And after a few minutes I was like, 'Huh. This child being is very smart.'"

"Child being?" Ruohan questioned. D'Lisa shrugged.

"Okay, Noel Archer, what did you think of Zhang Ruohan?"

"I thought he was really, really, really short," Noel grinned.

"Hey!"

"Well, to be honest a lot of people are shorter than me! I am literally 5'9!" Noel defended himself. "You're, like, really small! Both you and D'Lisa are really small!"

"I object," D'Lisa interjected. "I am 5'4 and this is discrimination against short people."

Noel groaned, "Nooooooo! I just mean that both of you are really short compared to meeeeee!"

"Uh-huh! Keep tryin' to cover up your sins!"

Alma laughed, "Okay, D'Lisa Archer. What did you think of Zhang Ruohan when you first met him, other than that he was really young?"

"Uuuhhhhh... I was sort of like, 'What is such a small child like him doing on the set of a PG-13 type of movie area?' But then we talked more and I was like, 'Holy crap! I need a dictionary or something! This child be spittin' out words that I can't comprehend!' Actually, later on when we were doing the movie and stuff, I started to write down what he said off-set and then looked it up later. I was really surprised by how smart he is."

"I don't know if I should feel complimented or not," Ruohan laughed.

"Uhhh..." Echo blinked. "Both?"

Alma asked, "Did all of you read the story series of *Fantasy Dreamers* before auditioning for the movie parts?"

All three children nodded their heads, all three starting to ramble.

"Oh! Slow down please! One at a time! D'Lisa, how about you first?"

(Haha, I had no idea of what to call the collection of the Arcs beforehand so I quickly came up with *Fantasy Dreamers* and that is what we are going with)

(@GalaxE- IDK how to write you or what your reactions would be, so please give me your opinion of how I am doing)

## Day Twelve- A Game (Inspired by Little Misfortune) Part One

*"Let's play a game! I will narrate today, okay?"*

*"No way! You'll screw up my characters!"*

*"No I won't! You need a break, anyways."*

"*Fine... only for a day! Deal?"*

"*Deal."*

Silence walked down the streets, eating a churro while texting on her phone.

Silence looked up, and monotoned, "First off, whoever is narrating is *not* our Narrator. Where did they go?"

Wait, you can hear me?! How did you know it wasn't your Narrator?!

Silence rolled her eyes, "Well, the power of magic let's me hear Narrators. Also, our Narrator sounds at least like a teenage female, not an adult male."

Fair point. Okay... would you like to play a game with me?

"...No," Silence refused the offer, taking a bite of churro and continuing to walk. "No offense, but I don't trust you."

That's fair, but it will be fun!

"Still a no from me "

Silence continued to walk on, wondering where she left Saga and Kanon at. Somewhere... somewhere...

And suddenly, a streetlight exploded beside Silence, breaking her thoughts away. She jumped back, shielding her face from glass.

We. Are. Going. To. Play. A. Game.

"Sheeeeesh, you jerk!" Silence yelled. "This is why I can't trust you! Our usual Narrator doesn't do this kind of crap!"

Cool. Okay, so I want you to go around the SAMB and collect stickers I put up on random objects.

"Ugh! That sounds boring and a waste of time."

Part of the wall ahead of Silence crumbled and fell, making Silence realize that the Narrator was violent and went by thier own rules.

"Fine, whatever! Saga and Kanon can probably take care of themselves long enough for me to finish this game; they're teens. Where do I go first," Silence commanded the last part.

The train station! Yay!

Silence groaned, and turned, now heading to the train station. Currently it was late afternoon, a cool wind coming in from the west. Silence pulled back her hair into a ponytail as she walked, seeing that the train station was rather... empty, other than a few people here and there.

"A sticker, huh? What does it look like?" Silence asked, looking around.

Look for a round sticker with red symbols on it!

Silence did just that, and saw the sticker in the tracks of the train station.

"You want me to go get that *now,* don't you?"

Yep! What a smart lady! Be careful!

Silence jumped down into the tracks, and went over to the sticker, starting to peel it off. She heard a train.

Silence cursed as she continued peeling the sticker off, and she could hear a few people making a commotion behind her. Ah, they were telling Silence to move. They sounded panicked.

Silence obtained the pesky sticker, and flew up out of the tracks, seconds before the train could hit her thin body.

The young lady breathed a sigh of relief, and stood up, brushing her body off and walking quickly out of the train station, ignoring the people questioning if she was okay.

"I hate you," Silence saltily said. "And this game. Where is our actual Narrator?"

Taking a break! Hey, don't have negative feelings about me or this game! We just started!

"I'll feel as I please, you-" Silence said some... inappropriate words.

Hey, hey, calm down! Our next stop is at the park!

## Day Thirteen- (Angst Warning haha) Torture; Part Uno

"And I said, 'Whaaa? Nooo!' And he was like, 'Yeah, the fish-" North was interrupted from his conversation with Lillian by a soldier.

"I will assume you are North Archer, the royal guard of Princess Lillian?" The soldier asked.

"Yes sir! That is me!" North smiled cheerfully.

"Creator has requested for you to come to his throne room."

North kept his smile, which had now became fake. His heart sped up, and North wondered if he did something wrong... He had no idea if he did anything wrong...

"I will go right away after I escort Princess Lillian to her room. Thank you," North nodded. The soldier walked away, heading back to his work.

North led Lillian down the elegant hallways, and Lillian could tell North was nervous. He always chewed at his lip when nervous, Lillian had noticed.

"Is something the matter?" Lillian asked softly.

"Everything is made of matter," North joked with the dorky grin of his, looking over at her. "No, I'm good."

"...I understand that you are scared," Lillian said, fiddling with the frilly sleeve of her expensive dress. "...Just remember to never look him in the eyes. It only makes your emotions worse."

"...Noted..."

The two teens were stuck in quietness the rest of the walk, eventually reaching the steely door of Lillian's room. North hesitated before talking again, stopping Lillian before she could enter her room.

"Be safe," North smiled, feeling his face heat up slightly. "And be careful."

Lillian smile back, making North feel the strange, fuzzy feeling that seemed to pop up at random times when he was around her return as butterflies in his stomach, "The same goes for you. I'll see you later." Lillian entered her room, and North heard the lock quietly *click!*

The teen put his hand to his chest, and could swear he felt his heartbeat through his metal armor. What was that weird feeling?! He didn't know if he was suppose to hate the feeling or to love the feeling. The butterflies increased the more he thought of it, so North decided to not think about it at all.

His footsteps *clanked! clanked! clanked!* as he walked through the palace, and North admired the silvery designs decorating the walls. The soft-looking furniture was lined with glittering white gold, North focused upon the details. Everything looked royal and elegant in some way.

The teenager opened the golden door of the throne room quietly. Although the room was dimmed, silky curtains pulled closed and candles sparkling light, North could make out the designs of the furniture and the patterns upon the tall walls and hard flooring. The air was strangely cold compared to the rest of the grand palace; the scent of something bitter stung North's nose. The flooring creaked under the teen's weight. North's eyes focused upon the tall figure of his king. Although quite a bit far off, he could see the design of Creator's clothing and armor. He could see the swirl of greyish steel adorn the throne. What bothered North was the eerie, violet eyes examining him, strangely giving North a sense of dread, as if an enemy was near.

North swiftly knelt down, his armor clinking softly due to the action, and said, "His Majesty, the King, Creator."

Creator chuckled, "You may stand now." North did so, standing straight and stiffly. Creator stared at the teen for a bit, causing North to become more nervous.

"North, I am sorry to say, but your sisters have become traitors to our kingdom. To our people. I assume you know what this means if we capture them."

North felt his heart nearly stop. North stared at Creator, the words sinking in even deeper like poison.

"I see... yes... thank you for telling me," emotion was detached from North's voice. His eyes had gone blank.

Creator nodded, a slight smirk pulling at the corners of his lips, "That is all, you are free to leave now."

North bowed, turned on the heel of his metallic-covered foot, and exited the dim throne room. The rush of warm air and light snapped North back to his emotions. North covered his mouth, biting down on the exposed part of his arm to force himself to hold in the sorrowful scream filling his chest. The blood started to fill his taste, and North pulled his arm away quickly, seeing that he had left some marks and two cuts on the limb. Blood was flowing slowly from the injury, and North casted a healing spell on himself as he walked down the hall. His mind filled with screaming and pain.

Why couldn't his family stay...?

Why did everyone leave him...?

North gritted his teeth, and told himself to just find something positive about this situation. A flow of emptiness rushed into North's mind, and North clenched his jaw harder. He continued to walk, not caring to focus in on the decorating of the palace.

He couldn't.

North sighed and leaned against the wall. What should he do... ?

Find his sisters and help them. That's what North wanted to do. And he set his heart on it.

He would help his remaining family, the only family he had left.

## Fourteen- Torture; Part Two (More angst, and a gore warning)

North stared down at the ground, his eyes watching his own two feet hit said ground as he walked swiftly, heading home quickly. He wanted to sleep badly, his body tired and sore from working too long. Today was a rather harsh training and workout day, so North was worn out.

North ran his hand down the grainy brick walls as he went, his eyes still staring at the cobble and cement road with his feet still swiftly and softly tapping against it. The air was crisp and chilling so that North knew that the roads would freeze over the next day, and possibly the day after. North sensed the wind blowing back his thick hair, ticking the back of his neck. The teen started to make plans for a new haircut when his thoughts were interrupted by the very faint sound of something behind him. North ignored the sound, figuring he kicked a pebble to the side without noticing his action.

The teen continued and felt the wind pick up even more. North smiled and wondered how his sisters would of felt about the temperature dropping. The thought of Silence complaining and Echo celebrating amused North, his lips forming a small, nice smile. He missed them; he would help them. Another sound broke North's train of thought, causing North to turn and look over behind him in curiosity.

Without any warning, the world spun and a sharp pain crashed into North, his jaw hitting the wall. North yelled out but was stopped by some kind of gag, and before North could react, a needle pricked sharply in his arm.

"Shh, quiet down... it's all okay," a figure spoke deeply. Whatever was in the syringe was fast working. North knew it because his body was getting heavier with each second while his vision was giving up too quickly. Although these factors were taking effect, North struggled, squirming against the person trying to tie his wrists together. The figure shook their head, pitying the teen in some kind of bittersweet way. North kicked at the figure and jerked his body until darkness swirled his vision, taking everything away from North's senses.

North felt like he was floating in air, nothingness surrounding all around him. The only thing North could sense was fear. It blocked his own thoughts and overflowed from his head like a waterfall of strange corruption. Fear was strangling North under it's weight, and North wanted to scream. It was warm, though, despite it's cold actions. Strangely warm and inviting, almost tricking North to reach out to attempt to grasp the warmth. In a sudden moment, light shone throughout North's vision, chasing the deadness of his vision away.

The light was even worst. It brought a sickening chill that shattered North's mind into awareness of his surroundings, leaving his emotional state hollowed. The lights were brilliant, but the colours were dull and plain. North shook his head, his memory rushing into his skull. The teen jumped up, possessing free movement of his body, and looked around.

The room, as stated beforehand, was dull. It held a monotonous grey and deadened black. North realized that most of his clothing was stripped away, including his armor chain. The teen searched his trouser pockets, finding nothing but lint. North rubbed his arm where the needle once was, a dull pain seeped into his senses. He attempted to open the iron door, which didn't open, then tried to cast a spell. Nothing happened other than a faint shock course through himself. North sighed, realizing that there was a magic barrier stopping him from using his magic. There was nothing in the bleak room for North to sit on, so he sat on the ground far from the door. His steely eyes stared and stared, time slowly moving foward like a tired snail.

North wasn't sure how much time passed by, all he knew was that he sat there for too long.

Slowly, very slowly, the door creaked open on rusted, but strong, hinges. A person, North couldn't tell their gender, nor did he care enough to ask, entered in. North coldly stared at the figure as more figures made their own entry into the barren room.

North opened his mouth, about to command why he was there, but suddenly people were surrounding him, pinning him down, which made North's fear reaction go off. North struggled, yelling to be let go. He screamed at the people to leave him alone when he saw some of the figures come closer with syringes. They came closer with weapons as well.

North finally realized where he was at, adrenalin rushing into his veins. This was enough for North to throw the people off him and for him to nearly make it out the door...

But one figure was too swift. Too experienced. They slammed the door and caught North by his wavy hair, swinging their arm violently and throwing North to the wall with such ease that it was like they done it before on very many occasions.

North's head hit the cement with a sickening sound, causing the world to darken and lighten in his vision. It was getting hard to move; it was getting hard to fight back against the figures as they once more came closer.

But North did fight. He struggled, he kicked, he bit, he yelled, he screamed, he cried, he hit, he jerked, he scratched. He did everything he could to make the figures' jobs harder.

Continuously for months North did that. Day after day was a new hell, a new demonic torture made just for him.

Sometimes it was needles, the inside of his arms where the joint bent bruised and inflamed in painful irritation. Scars of where the figures would stick needles filled with who-knows-what into would remain forever, North knew.

Sometimes it was holding his head down into a bucket of iced water until he passed out. Sometimes they would hold him down a bit longer after he went unconscious, filling his lungs with icy liquid. It was a wonder of how he didn't drown.

Sometimes it was silver blades against his chest and torso. They left incurable scars all across his stomach and ribcage, dried crimson and swelling appearing. His skin became discolored and infected, and often North would pass out while they dug into his flesh. Sometimes North would pass out from the lack of air due to crying and screaming in agony. Not to add that they would break a bone in one of his wings after. North ended up with shattered bones sticking up in the skin, leaving him struggling to move.

Sometimes it was a beating, leaving his whole body aching and swollen. For a good while, North had left the figures with similar marks, but even the strongest of all beings bend and break at some point.

Sometimes it was pure isolation. They left him in complete pitch black darkness. They left him to himself, to his now becoming warped mind. They left North to lay on the icy ground, and North completely lost his sense of time and direction. North would curl up, although his skin burned from the inflictions, and pray. He prayed to every god and goddess he could think of.

He prayed for some deity to make the torment and anguish stop. To do anything before he completely lost his self identity and sanity. To just end his pain. To just stop his heart beat.

Anything... he would take anything but this...

Light flooded the room, chilling North's body with dread of the next torture. North scrambled to a corner as quick as he could possibly go, clenching his jaw to hold back the scream trying to escape when his own movements activated pain in his inflictions. North's body began to shake from the stress and fear starting to produce in his head. The figures didn't enter... but someone did.

A young girl. A very young girl with dark skin and, from what North could tell, greenish hair, entered instead.

Really, the girl didn't quite enter... No, she was thrown in harshly, her body scraping against the ground. The girl hissed and whimpered in pain; North could hear the *thud!* her tiny body and ground made in the moment of connection. The lights flickered on, but only dimly. North squinted, his body still shaking terribly. The girl looked like she was severely beaten, her youthful face bloodied and North could tell one of her arms and her wings were broken like his.

North, despite his own painful wounds, slowly inched closer to the best of his ability. His voice was hoarse and raspy from the lack of water and all the agonized screaming he created.

"Are you okay?" He did his best to help the girl sit up, his arms almost failing him. She looked to physically be around seven, maybe eight. The girl was sobbing, her small body trembling like North's was.

North felt his chest hurt in sorrow for the girl; it hurt more than his battered and destroyed body. North used what energy he had to pull the girl close to him like he remembered his mother and older brother would do when he had nightmares or got hurt. He rocked back and forth, careful to try to not hurt the kid. North didn't care that his actions brought more pain to his flesh...

He wanted to comfort this girl; he wanted her to stop crying. He wanted her to feel safe, although North knew the environment surrounding them was cruel and unforgiving.

North's cracked and dry lips opened and rasped out a hushed song that he could very faintly, oh so faintly. remember his mother singing to him.

*Riiiing, riiiing, riiiing, a new bell chimes*

*Riiiing, riiiing, riiiing, now's the time*

*Riiiing, riiiing, riiiing, rest you head*

*Riiiing, riiiing, riiiing, let's all dream instead*

*Riiiing, riiiing, riiiing, dry your tears*

*Riiiing, riiiing, riiiing, I am here.*

North noticed the girl had stopped crying and shaking, and after a few minutes, he relaxed as well. He continued to sing and to rock back and forth, stroking the girl's head in a soothing way. North felt comfort suddenly drift into his own consciousness, tricking him to believe that maybe everything would turn out okay. It was a silly thought, and North knew it was, but the sweetness of the thought was addicting and it was easy to get hooked onto fake positivity.

"What's your name?" North spoke after a long while of singing. "Mine is North."

The girl was quiet for a bit before answering, "Jubilant."

"That's a pretty name..."

"Thank you."

They didn't talk much after that; Jubilant was scared that over doing the talking would break North's scratchy voice. She was scared that if he stopped singing then he would disappear. North reminded Jubliant of her older brother...

How long had they kept her in a dark room by herself...?

Eventually, North carefully helped her sit up against the wall. The girl noticed the dark stains of blood over North' body, greasy looking and somewhat... terrifyingly horrific. Jubliant wondered how long the teenager had left before he died. How much longer he had until his body would shut down due to disease.

North clawed his way up into a standing position, sharp pains shooting into his whole body as he moved. North carefully walked around Jubliant, leaning himself against the wall with one arm while limping over to the door.

Again... he needed to find a way out again...

This time he had a reason to escape, a purpose to fulfill. North knew he was going to die. He was fine with that. But Jubliant... she looked too young for all this.

Escape...

Escape...

Escape...

North clawed and dug at the door and walls, searching for some weakness. Some kind of opening. His olive hands that had paled from the months without the cleansing rays of artificial light grew sore. The skin was becoming irritated and peeling away, his skin burning. North slammed his fist against the door as hard as he could, the only sound answering was a little *thump*.

Weak... he felt so weak...

North limped back over to Jubliant, who was watching North with large, innocent eyes the entire time. North slid to the ground, a shock of pain scattering over his raw back when the cement ground against his flesh, retribution for failing.

The door opened, light flew in, temporarily blinding both captives. North's first instinct was to partly cover Jubliant with his body, gritting his teeth in pain as he glared at the figure coming in. North needed to protect the child. The figure stepped closer, and the only noise that North could make was a feral growling deep from his chest. North narrowed his eyes, trying to block Jubliant more.

The figure didn't seem to care, grabbing North by his hair and throwing him to the side. North's body rolled, the broken bones in his wings shifted and cut through some of his skin. North cried out, hitting the wall on the opposite side of the room. North forced himself up, making choked cries, pleading for the figure to leave Jubilant alone.

Jubliant was crying as well, terrified. She weakly struggled against the figure as said figure shoved needles into her skin. Jubliant screamed.

And that was enough for North.

North dragged his body up, not caring about the pain carving into his bones. He slowly teetered across the room, and he grabbed the figure by the back of their uniform. North attempted to throw the figure, but ended up falling underneath the figure, causing the pain he forgotten momentarily to resurface.

North knew the door was still slightly open.

"RUN! RUN, JUBLIANT," North shrieked, blood beginning to overload his sense of taste. "RUN."

North closed his eyes for a moment, hearing a scream and a gunshot. His dimming eyes flicked open, seeing the frail body of a young child fall to the ground. Bright red blood washed over the ground from the hole in the girl's throat. North could hear the gurgling and sucking noise form as Jubliant failed to breath, her eyes connecting with his.

Another gunshot, more blood splatter. Straight through her head; light deadened from her eyes.

Jubliant was dead.

With the diminishing strength North had left, he screamed, forcing air out of his lungs. The world was getting colder and darker, the images around North blurred. He continued to rasp out a shaky scream, agony and rage splitting his heart into fragments. The pain in his body numbed, but North continued his furious cry. North's voice slowed into quietness as his body went cold and limp, the remaining reflections of light in his eyes dulled into nothing.

The world went blacker than midnight, unwelcoming and selfish. It was bitterly cold, freezing the teen still. He wanted to breath, but something was blocking the air flow. He seemed to be dragged down further, no sound escaping his lips as he opened and closed them. He felt numb and cold, he felt nothing.

Sudden warmth rushed in, bringing air and welcome in its presence. It brought light and great awareness. He still felt nothing but a strange, unwavering anger.

The Glitchian teen sat up, looking around, his dark eyes scanning the room. It was clean and white, curtains swishing back and forth in a small, funny dance due to the air vent above.

The teen's eyes trailed over to a wooden door. He waited.

The Glitchian didn't know how long he waited, but he was fine with it.

A figure walked in swiftly and carefully, examining the teenager with their mindless eyes. The teen Glitchian decided to mess with the IV in his arm, stopping when the figure tsked at him in a warning manner.

"Once you are healed, you'll be sent back on missions, sir," the figure said.

"Missions?" the teen asked, monotoned. His face was blank, void of curiosity that would usually be there. "Who am I."

"You are North Alistair Archer, a Miles Volantes assassin. Your jobs include killing traitors to our kingdom. You got severely hurt in battle. Your next mission is to take out two very bad traitors after you heal and relearn our ways," the figure spoke to the teen like he was a small, pathetic child, which only boiled his blood a bit more. "Do you think you could do that? Kill a few people?"

"If it's my job, why should I care who dies." It was said with a straightforward manner, the Glitchian teen's eyes narrowed with an unwavering emotionlessness.

"Good. Creator will be pleased to hear of your progress."

"Who is Creator?"

"The man who will save us all."

## Fifteen- Walmart

(We need some fluff after the last one lol)

"Just stay here with the cart while I go ask for some help," she had said.

"I won't be long," she had said.

"Don't do anything stupid," she had said.

The words replayed in Silence's mind as a blur of blue and black hair flashed past her, the sound of childish screaming coming and going as fast as the blur did. Silence blinked a few times, standing there with macaroni and cheese boxes in her arms as what happened begun to register in her brain.

A thin hiss of air went through her teeth as Silence realized that she had made a huge mistake of leaving both Galaxian and Milo alone, not to add that she left the two children alone *together*. Silence blinked slowly, turning her head slightly, narrowing her eyes at the sound of a disaster waiting to happen.

Silence realized she needed to get out of the store *quickly* and *alone.* The lady didn't care that Hitan would lecture her about being a more responsible adult; Silence did *not* want to be associated with two idiots running around in a shopping cart.

Silence quickly went to the next aisle, grabbing a few colourful cans of fruit, listening for any sounds of Galaxian and Milo nearby. Nothing... Silence noted that thier screaming was on the other side of the store.

Good for Silence because all the stuff she needed was on the side of the store she was in...

Okay, most of the groceries were on the side of the store she was in.

Silence yanked over a different cart, the items falling from her pale arms into the cart with *clunking* sounds. She power walked across the floor, heading to the breads. Silence always loved the bread aisle, finding the smell of bread pleasant and sweet enough to make Silence usually linger in the aisle, but today she briskly placed a loaf of wheat bread into the cart and quickly sped away on her toes. She could hear Milo's laughter from the distance.

*"Faster! Faster!"*

 Followed by Galaxian's joyful yell.

*"Wheeeeee!"*

Silence mumbled a few profanities under her breath, already embarrassed by the two children. She didn't need to be in their presence to know their current expressions. Silence already knew.

Very quickly, Silence went from next aisle to next aisle, collecting the items on the grocery list and rapidly, but carefully, throwing them into the cart.

A drop of sweat ran down the side of Silence's forehead when she heard a loud scream and an even louder *BANG!* while she paid for the items. Speedily on a fast pace, Silence headed to the exit of Walmart, the cart she pushed squeaking and wobbling as if wanting her to slow down.

Silence felt a small shock prick her skin when she heard the words, "Ma'am? Ma'am!" Silence slowed down into a reluctant stop, turning her body slightly to look at the exasperated Walmart employee. Behind him was two children, undeniably Galaxian and Milo. Both of their hair was a mess, the pure look of mischievous bliss spread on their faces. Silence internally groaned.

"Ma'am, are these your children?"

Both said children bursted out laughing at the disgusted look appearing on Silence's face, a clear irritation etched into her expression.

"No!" Silence wrinkled her nose, her eyes narrowing at the employee. "I don't even look that old!"

Through suppressed laughter, Milo snickered, "Hi mom!"

Both he and Galaxian cracked back into laughter, both hyped up from pushing each other in a cart at extreme speeds for so long.

Silence blankly stared at the two of them, her ice-cold eyes making the two of them stop. Both figured that they were going to receive a lecture of some sorts from the lady. Silence's eyes flicked up at the employee, who seemed to get unnerved by her icy stare very quickly and scooted back slightly.

"...We'll be going now," Silence said, turning on her heel and pushing the cart out.

Silence sounded tired, her voice low and quick-like. Milo and Galaxian glanced at each other, both mentally preparing for a large rant.

Suprisingly, the whole car ride home was dead quiet as Silence stared blankly at the road ahead. It was... tense. Very tense.

After taking the groceries in and putting the items away, Galaxian said very quietly, "Um, er, sorry..."

Milo nodded, hesitating due to the strangeness of Silence's behaviour, "S...sorry..."

Silence only gave both a glance, saying sternly, although almost nonchalantly, "Never. Do. That. Again."

Both Galaxian's and Milo's eyes flicked over at each other once more, then watched Silence leave the kitchen.

"They had one job," Silence muttered to herself, staring at the hallway wall. "And they both *somehow* got into trouble. What am I supposed to do with those two?! They both are too young to leave by themselves... what to do with those two tricksters...?!"

"Someone sounds like a stressed parental figure," Hitan hummed, conveniently passing by. "Is Miss.Ice-Eyes going soft on us?"

Silence sent a telepathic scream, most of the message very... not family friendly.

Hitan only chuckled, unfazed by the message, "I see. So you're stressing about them?"

"I didn't even say anything about caring for them!" Silence growled.

"Neither did I," Hitan's lips formed a half smile.

Silence blinked at the angel, realizing what happened.

A very loud internal scream dragged out, followed by Galaxian and Milo's laugher as they overheard the conversation.

## Sixteen- Glass

The monotonous grey blade of grass twirled between Silence's fingertips as the lady swung her legs over the edge of the bleak coloured platform of the ground. Her eyes scanned the view of other platform-like pieces of earth, which were grey as well. There were a few platforms with dark grey trees while other platforms had a spring of never ending white water running off of them. Her eyes watched the water run into the ombre void below that seemed to never end, similar to the water.

She stared at herself, holding up her arm, which was at that moment glassy and clear like the rest of her body, and stared at the reflections bouncing off. Silence slowly turned her arm, watching as the light from above, which came from an unknown and unseen source, twinkle off her crystal-like flesh. Very slowly, Silence put her arm down and laid onto her back, Silence's legs still dangling off the ledge.

"What do you think of this place, Missy?" Silence spoke softly. The tiny kitten, her usual black fur now as well being a glossy glass-like texture and appearance, mewed quietly and rubbed her head on Silence's chin, deciding to curl up between Silence's shoulder and neck. Missy purred as Silence rubbed it's ears gently.

"We're the only beings able to enter this place," Silence said. "I wonder why..."

Another meow came from Missy.

"Between you and me, because I know you can't talk or tell anyone else," Silence chuckled. "Your name is short for Miscellaneous, not Missle Launcher. How about that, eh?"

The kitten purred louder, and Silence took it as a positive response.

"It's... strange being alone here. I... have no idea how to act. How to speak. You're here... but... that's different. I once tried to bring Echo here so she could paint this place, but it seems like this place only allows me... and you. I've tried bringing other people like Galaxian, Milo, Shura, and I once tried to bring Hitan here. They all claimed that I just stood in the same place for a while with my eyes closed..."

The kitten meowed again.

"Yeah, I think it has something to do with astral projecting too. Except astral projection is... different than this."

There was a long pause before the kitten decided to move again and paw at Silence's face, meowing while doing so. Silence sat up and stretched, extending her long, crystalized-feathered wings out. She scooted away from the ledge her legs were dangling off of and stood up. The kitten followed her under a blank tree. Very carefully, Silence scooped the kitten up with her boney hand and closed her eyes.

Silence could feel a quick rush of heat and chill; she felt the world shift under her feet. Sudden noise and sound filled her ears, and Silence recognized the voices of Echo, North, and Celery, all three of her younger siblings singing the Wii theme by making random noises in tune. Silence could smell Jay's cooking, and she could hear his voice talking to himself about needing more cheese.

A small smile tugged on the edges of Silence's mouth.

And she was home.

## Seventeen- Coca Cola

"Echo, don't you *dare*!" Silence hissed, her eyes narrowing at the young teen. Icy eyes met with soft but spiteful silver-blue eyes as Echo took a good step closer to the table. There was a small, very smug look on Echo's face.

"Echo, I will throw you to an alternate universe! Get away from *my* Coca Cola!" Silence threatened. She couldn't stand Echo's expression as the other held no fear.

"Will you? I doubt it," Echo grinned, chaos radiating from her words.

"ECHO NO!" Silence screamed as Echo lunged forward and snatched the can of soda. There were loud crashing sounds as Silence chased Echo around the house, Echo jumping on top of furniture in an attempt to get away.

"ECHO, I WILL SKIN YOU ALIVE!"

"BET! YOU WON'T!"

Finally, Echo was perched on the frame of a window, the can of Coca Cola near her lips which were pulled into a cheeky grin.

Silence hissed, stalking foward slowly as if Echo was a wild animal, "Give that back. *Now*."

"Mmmm... what will you pay for it?" Echo smirked, moving the can back and forth slightly, the soda swishing inside.

"Like I would pay you for MY soda!"

Echo tilted the can slightly, as if she was about to take a sip.

"*Fiiiiiiine!* I'll give you a dollar! Wait, you have reality manipulation! Why don't you summon your own money?!" Silence questioned. "Or your own soda?!"

Echo giggled, "To torture you!"

"YOU ARE THE WORST!"

"Yep!" Echo chirped, taking a sip of soda and jumping out the window, soaring high into the air. She laughed when she heard Silence's profanities directed at her, but Echo knew she wasn't safe for long.

## Eighteen- Her Games

(It is two am, and love is nonexistent in this body I possess)

"Who are you?" Echo tilted her head, her bangs covering her eyes. She nervously switched weight on her feet, unsure of what she was doing. Echo had saw the girl across the playground by herself, and decided to come over and talk. That was a mistake as Echo had no social skills or confidence.

The other girl shyly answered, fiddling with the hem of her sleeve, "O...Octave..."

Echo wasn't used to talking to other kids her age, so she tried to remember what North would do...

Compliment! North would compliment to make friends!

"Y-your eyes are pretty," Echo smiled. She had taken notice of the other's eyes: black eye whites that seemed to easily reflect light and silvery irises like two shiny coins.

They were indeed pretty.

"O-oh? Thank you," Octave smiled slightly back, looking up with slow movement.

"Yep! My name is Echo," Echo politely nodded, thinking more now. "Would you like to play with me?"

"...That would be nice!" Octave accepted. "What will we play?"

"Dunno! How about... hide and seek?"

"Okay!"

"Don't you want to play, Echo?" Octave giggled.

"LEAVE ME ALONE!" Echo slammed her back against the hard wall, sharp pain overwhelming her senses. She used her nails to tear into the sleeves of her hoodie, pieces of cloth balling up with her fists.

Octave laughed louder, "But Echo! I wanna play! Let's have fun!"

Echo sobbed, shaking her head, "Liar! Liar! Liar!"

"Echo, you need to calm down, ya know-"

"BE QUIET!" Echo screamed, a new sharp pain split in her throat that was caused by all the screaming. How long had she been screaming? Who knew. How long had Echo been in confinement? Who knew.

Echo knew being in that... prison? Was it prison? Anyway, being there was for her and other's wellbeing.

"Echo, are you still mad?" Octave asked. "I wanted to help! Your friends are causing you pain!"

"Shut. Your. Face," Echo growled, more pain stabbing her senses from speaking. For good measure, Echo decided to stand up and face the wall, resting her forehead on the cool texture. Echo jerked her head back.

Octave tried to reason, "Echo, hurt yourself and you'll have to stay even longer!"

"As if *you* care," Echo whispered coldly. "You love pain, don't you?" Her voice grew louder with each word, eventually leading to Echo screaming at Octave. "You love pain, right?! You are sure gonna love this, Octave!"

Echo threw her head foward, beating her head once off the wall. Red, hot pain seared and seeped into Echo's sense now, stars flashing into her vision. Echo felt her body hit the ground as the world swirled around.

Echo smirked, hearing nothing, "You love this game, right Octave? You annoy me, and I completely loose it? You know I'm winning. You're desperate. So am I. Just shut up, okay? We know..."

Echo felt drowsey, and she felt... liquid. Warm liquid slowly dripping down her head. Gingerly, Echo brought a few fingers up and swiped gently across her forehead, a thick liquid coating the tips of her fingers.

Closely Echo inspected the liquid, rust-tinted redness causing slight alarm to prick Echo's spine.

"We know... I will win...just like I did... when I was... younger..."

"Echo?" Octave called, looking around.

Echo giggled in her hiding spot, leaves getting caught in her wavy hair.

"You win! Where are you at?" Octave turned in circles.

Echo jumped out of the bush, causing Octave to jump back in suprise.

"Hehehe! I win!" Echo beamed.

"Let's play again!" Octave suggested.

"Okay! You hide this time!"

"...North..." Echo muttered.

"Huh?" Octave asked.

Echo flinched at Octave's voice, but replied, "I... need... to see him... and... Silence... and...Jay...and... Lillian..."

"Oh." Echo took note of Octave's disappointed tone.

"What? You don't...like my...family?"

"They cause you pain."

"Like you care."

"You are not denying it."

"They don't cause me pain."

"They will leave you. You know they will."

"Shut up... I'm tired... we'll play your games later..."

## Nineteen- One Day She'll See

W*hy does she hate me...?*

*Does she not understand...?*

*Am I... a monster...?*

*No one understands...*

*I... no... I... why...*

*No one... will ever understand...*

*I am protecting her...*

*I am the only being who can save her... her innocent youth...*

Octave blinked at the... sky? Well, when you are part of one's mind, it's hard to really describe the place.

Echo's mind was more like a room with no roof, stars shining over everything. But it changed a lot depending on Echo's mood, Octave had figured out.

Sometimes it was a flower field...

Sometimes it was a forest...

And sometimes it was a pitch black room with no escape, consisting of a roof to block any light. Usually there was chains everywhere, which sometimes wrapped around Octave in a choking hold.

The last one only seemed to appear when Echo was having a breakdown or panic attack...

The room appeared a lot. Octave could hear Echo's thoughts; no matter what Octave knew what Echo was thinking.

**Everyone hates me...**

**Why did I say that...**

**I'm an idiot...**

**Why am I still here...**

**I'm so tired...**

**Stop pitying yourself, Echo. Stop being selfish...**

**Why would they want to talk to you...**

**Why aren't you doing more for them, you idiot...**

Octave's chest hurt, wishing to stop those thoughts. Those thoughts...

Octave remembered them the easiest.

Octave hated them the most.

And Octave hated the root of what the thoughts circled around.

Echo's family. Echo's friends.

Octave hated them. They didn't deserve Echo.

They didn't understand Echo.

They were actors and actresses, Octave believed. One day they would break Echo.

One day they would hurt Echo.

Octave was going to stop that before it happened.

"Why don't you separate from them? They cause your anxiety to raise," Octave suggested.

"Shut up, they don't," Echo growled, already annoyed. "*You* do."

"Echo, they're gonna hurt you!"

"No they won't! How many times do I have to tell you this?!"

Octave was silent for a bit, thinking, before she spoke again.

"Echo, at least consider this: what will you do when they die?"

"Huh?"

"If you get attached to them, like you did with Gutters, Ashes, and Meadow, and they die like those friends did-"

"Shut up!"

"-Echo! You need to distance yourself now while you can-"

"N-no!"

"-Because if they die or hurt you-"

Echo started to cry.

Octave sighed, "Look, just listen-"

Echo screamed, "No! Leave me alone!"

Octave could feel a tight coldness around her body, and her vision started to blur and fade into black.

Octave muttered, "Calm down..."

That only made Echo cry harder, and the chains around Octave tightened.

Octave was not good at comforting.

"...Just think about it."

Echo's reply to the flipside was a shaky sob.

"I hate you."

*I know... you hate me...*

*One day you'll see what I'm doing is right...*

*And we'll play again...*

*You'll thank me...*

*And we'll be happy...*

*One day...*