Rita stuck her tongue out in concentration. She reached out and grabbed some pliers to her left and moved a wire out of her way in the small box in front of her. She grabbed a wire lower in the box and carefully connected it to another nearby. "Yes!" Rita flicked up the mask covering her face onto her head. "I did it, I did it, I did it!" Her softshell father or mentor aka Donnie leaned over her shoulder and examined her work. "An exceptional job for your first time." Rita purred at his praise. "What do I need to do now?" Donnie chuckled and stood straight. "Well, I was thinking we take a break then I'd let you try a simulated hacking mission. How does that sound?" Rita spun around with sparkling wide eyes. "Yes yes yes!" She rubbed her paws together. "I'll be ready..." "I know you will. Now let's go." Donnie backed into the table she was on. Rita climbed onto his back and sat on his shoulder with her legs dangling. He walked out of the lab and down the small tunnel to the kitchen. "Hey, Rita!" Anna squeaked behind them. Rita glanced over her shoulder at the rabbit peeking over Leo's head. "Teresa and Marg found a toy we can play with! Come join us!" Anna exclaimed. Rita instantly got up and gasped. "What kind of toy?!" Donnie flinched. "You're not getting any lighter it seems." he slipped into the kitchen. Leo followed after him. Rita scrambled carefully down Donnie's battleshell and landed on the floor. Anna bounced down from Leo's head and landed beside her. "And she sticks the landing! This way, Rita, to the living room!" "You taught her that didn't you?" Donnie groaned. "No..." Leo trailed off with a smirk. Anna and Rita ran out of the kitchen and toward the living room with the softshell and slider watching them carefully until they disappeared. Giggles echoed around the hall as the four young yokai started their game. "Over here Marg!" Anna shouted. Marg glanced down at the object in her hand and tossed it toward the rabbit. It flew through the air and Anna leaped up to catch it between her ears. "Still got it!" Anna exclaimed. "What are you four playing? Ohmigosh are you using the Jupiter Jim figure we got back from using it to plug a hole in Skully aka the last piece of the Dark Armor just a few months ago?" Raph gasped. "That was oddly specific..." Marg glanced around at her friends. Raph snatched the figure from between Anna's ears. "This is an important piece of history." he frowned at the girls. "Sorry, Raph." The four said in unison. Raph tucked the figure under his arm and headed for the kitchen. "What are we going to play with now? That was the only thing we had." Anna kicked the floor. "Oh, I know!" Teresa chirped. "I can roll up some of Mikey's spare art paper into a ball for us to throw around!" "That's a great idea!" Rita meowed excitedly. "Young ladies!" "Stop, Leo! I already told them!" All four female mutants froze. Leo poked his head into the living room. Raph, Donnie, and Mikey went in after him. "Raph might have told you about the figure, but I think you've all been living here long enough that you deserve to know how we beat the Shredder down." Leo waved his hand dramatically. "Are you sure they're ready?" Mikey fretted. "Story story story!" the girls exclaimed. "Okay, now you four take a seat. Your minds are about to be completely blown." Leo took a seat on the armchair in the center of the living room. Donnie dragged a hand down his face. Mikey and Raph sighed with exasperation. The four mutants scampered over and sat in a line in front of Leo. "It all started when Baron Draxum had captured us and Splinter was forced to give him the last piece of the Dark Armor to get us back..." It took an hour to tell the full story. Without all the interruptions of questions and Leo's crazy acting. "So there. That's how we defeated the Kr- I mean Shredder." Leo said confidently. "Oh Leo." Raph groaned. "Since the storys finished, Marg and I were going to train some more. Anyone else wanna come?" Donnie grabbed Rita and put her on his back. "Rita and I were actually about to have her simulate some hacking after this...predictably long break." "Oh Dee, always focused on practice that might as well be wasted. Anna, come on. We might as well train with Raph and Marg." Leo started out the living room. Anna followed him with a small glance back. Raph and Marg quickly left behind them. Mikey picked up Teresa but didn't move. "So um, Raph already left..." The box turtle rocked on his feet nervously. "Yeah he did. What are you and Teresa gonna do?" Donnie wondered. Mikey glanced down at her then back up at Donnie. "Could we watch Rita do the hacking thing? I was gonna take her back up to the surface or visit Draxum, but..." Donnie opened his mouth to speak, but Rita beat him. "Of course you can watch! That simulation won't know what hit it." Donnie sighed and headed back to his lab with Mikey in tow. They stepped inside and the softshell quickly moved everything off of the table inside the entrance before setting Rita down on it facing him. "Take this special pair of goggles I made...and I will do the rest." Donnie handed her the goggles and slid over to the keyboard nearby. Mikey held Teresa a bit closer as Donnie hit a final button and a beep sounded. Rita tensed and started tapping on something invisible before her. She was clearly focused by the way her tongue slipped out the side of her mouth. Mikey closed one eye. Teresa squirmed nervously in his arms. "Why are you guys so nervous? She's got this." Donnie whispered. The cat mutant continued tapping on the invisible thing. Two minutes later, she moved the goggles to rest on her head. Her face scrunched up angrily. "I couldn't do it." she folded her arms and looked down and to the side. Donnie pinched the skin between his eyes with a sigh. Mikey felt Teresa stop squirming when she watched her friend carefully. "You'll get it next time, Rita. I know it." Teresa whispered. "How?" Rita cried. "If I can't do it the first time, how do you expect me to do it a second time?" Donnie made her face him and leaned down a bit. "Rita, listen. It was just a simulator. I'm sure after some food and a good nights sleep, you can do it tomorrow." Rita wiped her tears away and leaped from the table. Donnie stood straight and sighed again when she tossed her goggles off before disappearing. "Is she gonna be okay?" Teresa asked worriedly. "She'll be fine. She just needs a little space right now." Mikey soothed. Donnie reached down and took the goggles in his hand tightly. ----- Rita stumbled into the living room. A commercial played on the projector screen. She slowly stepped closer to the chair in front of it. Splinter's ear twitched and he swung his head around to the back of the chair. Rita froze. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with Donnie?" He asked slowly. Rita loosened and rubbed her arm. "I failed the hacking simulation he set up." Splinter grunted and turned back to his commercial. Rita glanced at the back of the chair then at the floor. Splinter looked back over his shoulder. "I've never been a fan of cats..." "Yeah I can tell." Rita said. "I'll go." she turned around. "But Purple and the others have already said you're staying, so I might as well get used to it. Get over here." Splinter finished. Rita slowly walked to the chair and scrambled up to the top. She dangled her feet and tail down the front so they brushed Splinter's head. The commercial continued to play until the rat grabbed the remote and switched channels. "What is this?" Rita asked as the movie played on. "Only the best movie you will ever see." Splinter laughed. "It's where I fight in a ladder factory." "You're in here? Which one are you? That one? Or that one?" Rita pointed at the screen as a bunch of guys flashed by. "I was the one with the black hair. Lou-Jitsu was my name. I used to be famous, until the great Baron Draxum turned me into...this, and what my boys are today." Splinter explained. "Woah that's actually pretty cool." Rita sighed. "Oh definitely. Those were the days." Splinter laughed. They continued watching the movie until Raph walked in. "Dad, we're having a uh meeting, and would like you to join in. Please?" Raph added. Splinter grunted and nodded, switching off the projector with his tail and getting off the chair. Rita jumped onto his head as he walked by. Raph led them into the main part of the Lair with everyone else. "Now that Splinters here, we can plan our family day out." Raph told them. Rita frowned. Family day out? Where? "But what about Draxum?" Mikey waved his phone. "He's coming too. We'll tell him when we get to the place." Raph said. "None of you have done anything like this before. What's so special now?" Rita questioned. Everyone suddenly looked nervous. "Uh you know...nothing in particular." Raph shrugged. Rita narrowed her eyes. "Okay, if it's really nothing, then I might as well leave." she jumped off Splinter's head. "The other three are in the arcade with Casey." Donnie called after her. "Make sure no one leaves. And April's on her way to watch you three too!" The voices faded into peaceful silence as Rita made her way up to the arcade. The three mutants greeted her excitedly. "You made it! Teresa and Anna's air hockey match is almost over. You and I could play next if you want?" Marg whispered. Rita smiled. "Why not. I'm up for a game or two." Casey watched them play from afar. Once Anna had won her match against Teresa, Marg and Rita played their turn with Rita coming out on top. "Nice match!" Rita purred. Marg leaped down from the stool they had set up. Anna quickly took her place. "Now it's winner against winner. Whoever wins this one will get a personal self portrait with their father done by myself." Teresa informed them. "Good luck you two!" Rita narrowed her eyes. Anna did the same. Rita struck the puck with her paddle hard and Anna managed to send it back before it went in the goal. Rita stopped it and tried again, this time making it in. "Yes! One point closer to winning..." Anna put the puck back on the table and sent it flying toward Rita. Rita bumped it back and got it in the goal again. "That's two for Rita. One more point to win." Teresa held up her fingers. Anna slowly sent the puck back. Rita stuck her tongue out in concentration and sent it to Anna again. Anna twitched her ear and hit the puck hard. It hurtled right into the goal. "Haha! Point one let's go!" Rita set the puck back and stared at it, carefully scanning the board. "Come on!" Anna shouted impatiently. Rita moved her paddle back and brought it forward quickly. The puck slid forward in a blur. Anna quickly glanced down, but it was too late. The puck easily slipped into the goal, giving Rita the win. "That's three points!" Teresa exclaimed. "Rita wins the air hockey championship! Your picture will be drawn soon." "You four are adorable. I can see why the brothers enjoy having you around." April smiled. "Auntie April!" The mutants exclaimed, rushing to hug her legs. April laughed and glanced at Casey. "Did the guys tell you to stay or...?" "Just to watch them until you got here. I can stay though if you want." Casey replied. April stared down at the four mutants still clinging to her legs. "Whatever you decide." she whispered. ----- "This way guys, come on! We have to get back before the little ones notice we've been gone for too long!" Raph shouted. "We worry too much, Raph. April and Casey got them." Leo said dismissively. "I know, but... never mind, just come on." Raph leaped onto another building. Splinter and his brothers followed quickly behind. Eventually they reached their sewer's entrance and went down to it. Raph reached down to move the cover over when a loud beeping sound started and the street disappeared from around them. "Oh no..." Donnie covered his tympanum. "What's the oh no about Dee?" Mikey asked over the noise. "I think we may have just been tricked into..." he trailed off as a familiar laugh echoed around the room they were now in. A pair of shoes followed by two more pairs stepped around the corner. Donnie held his techbo defensively and blocked his brothers and dad from the trios view. The alarm stopped. "Oh Donnie." The middle one with pink hair laughed. "How nice to see you again. Just kidding." "Purple Dragons." Donnie growled. "Let us go." "I don't think so. We've been trying to get you back again for ages. Now that we finally have you, don't expect to be getting away so easily unlike last time." Kendra smirked. Donnie gripped his techbo tighter. "You mean when I managed to save my brothers even with that stupid chair?" "That was just unlucky. This time won't be the same." Kendra glanced at the black-haired boy Jason on her left. He pressed a button on the controller in his hand and mechanical arms leeched out from all over the walls. Some dragon drones flew around the corners. Donnie narrowed his eyes and looked at everything. He faced his brothers and dad. "I need you guys to get out of here. Now." "What are you talking about?! We're not just leaving without you!" Mikey shouted. He glanced over Donnie's shoulder at the approaching metal arm and pointed. "Look out!" Donnie spun around and hit the arm away with his bo. Behind him, his family broke some arms down too. The arms continued to reach out for Donnie and the drones firing lasers at him wasn't helping either. "Guys please, just go! They're not even after you!" Donnie shouted over his shoulder. A drone fired a laser down and it hit Donnie's leg. He sucked in a breath and collapsed. His techbo skidded across the floor. More metal arms replaced the broken ones and Donnie tried to back away from them. Raph noticed and rushed at them, smashing the new arms into the floor. "Raph, no! They're just gonna keep coming!" Donnie held his leg closer to his plastron. "Then I'll keep smashing!" Raph told him back. "N- ah!" Another laser hurtled down and hit Donnie's arm. Raph glanced back at him. "Donnie! Guys get him out of here! Through those windows!" he pointed to the purple-stained windows to the left. "On it." Mikey spun around and rushed for his softshell brother, but an arm caught around his and launched him put the window. "Mikey!" Donnie cried. "Stop, please!" He begged Kendra. "But seeing you suffer is fun to watch after what you did to us." Kendra laughed. Donnie growled and tried standing up, but his leg wouldn't allow it. He fell back down and tried reaching for his techbo instead. "Uh uh uh." Kendra whispered. An arm extended and snatched the techbo away. Donnie groaned and his eyelids fluttered. Raph punched another arm away before turning and scooping Donnie up. He started running at the windows when an arm close by reached out and grabbed Donnie's ankle. "Get his brothers too and that rat guy." Kendra commanded Jason. The arm yanked back and ripped Donnie away from his red brother's grasp. Three more arms grabbed the softshell's wrists and ankles and lifted him off the ground. Raph had barely registered what had happened when arms grabbed him too. Mikey, Leo and Splinter were moved near Raph. The four had to watch as the arms moved Donnie toward the trio at the front of the room. "You won't...get away with this..." Donnie grunted. "I'm sure we won't. Jason, put him where we planned. And as for the brothers and rat... you can put them in the other room that Jeremy made." Kendra smiled slightly at Donnie. "Good luck surviving without your brothers in there." Jason clicked a different button on the controller. The wall shifted and Donnie widened his eyes. Out of the wall came a small box with legs sticking out. He tried to free himself from the arms as they forced him around the corner and down the hallway. "Let me go you junky pieces of-" he stopped himself when a new wall opened. The arms tossed Donnie into the room beyond. He rolled over the floor before reaching for his back. He didn't feel the normal hardness of the battleshell. He reached up and felt around his head. No goggles either. Donnie glanced down at his wrist in a panic. There was nothing there anymore either. The door closed and the room was engulfed in darkness. ----- Rita stared proudly at her new drawing. It was drawn slightly sloppily with her standing on Donnie's back like she always does. Rita hugged it close to her chest. "I'm so glad you like it!" Teresa had said. Rita tucked it under Donnie's pillow for him to find later and left the room. "Rita, Teresa, Marg, Anna, Casey!" April suddenly shouted. "Come here quick!" Rita didn't waste a second. She sprinted down and reached where April's voice had come from. The others arrived right behind her. "Splinter just sent a message, Casey. I think the boys might be in trouble." April whispered to him in a hushed tone. "What are we going to do with them though?" Casey discretely pointed at the girls. "I can't track where the message came in from, but I think I know someone here who can." April glanced down at Rita. "That's right. Donnie _has_ been teaching her, hasn't he?" Casey glanced down at her too. "W-what? What happened? Why are you both staring at me?" Rita asked worriedly. April crouched in front of her. "We need you to track something to see where exactly it came from. Do you think you could do that for us?" Rita widened her eyes and glanced at the floor. "Donnie hasn't really taught me anything like that yet..." she stared into April's eyes. "But I can try." "Great. Everyone to Donnie's lab." April straightened and ushered them out the living room and up to the lab. Rita scrambled onto the cold metal table and held her hand out at April. April handed her the small device. "It came from that. I could barely hear anything, except for a few words. I think Donnie made it so that the device only keeps the newest message before another comes in but I'm not sure." April explained. Rita had already opened the tiny thing up and was examining the inside. She pointed to Donnie's computer. "Could one of you turn that on for me?" April hit a button at random and the screen lit up, asking for a password. "Does anyone know his password?" Rita gently placed the device down and went over to the computer. She tapped on the keys and it pulled up the home screen. She dragged the device closer and grabbed a small cord nearby used for tasks just like this. Rita plugged one end into the device and the other into the computer. A new screen popped up and Rita turned her attention to the larger version of it. "Okay, so this is easier then I thought. Just hit this, then this, and finally this." Rita stepped back from the computer a step and turned to look at April, who had narrowed her eyes at the flashing dot on the screen. "Great, do you think you could put that map onto my phone now?" April handed her the phone. Rita took it and flipped it over. "Oo, love the case. And I can. Give me three secs." She carefully unplugged the smaller device and switched it out for the phone. The phone's screen brightened and showed the map with the dot. "Now we can go find them." April took her phone back. "But Teresa, Anna, and Marg will have to stay here. S.H.E.L.L.D.O.N!" S.H.E.L.L.D.O.N opened it's eyes and flew off the charger to them. "What can I do for you?" "Casey and I are taking Rita to find the boys and Splinter. We need you to keep watch after these three for us." April signaled at them. It glanced down at them. "Of course. Good luck." The trio rushed out of the Lair. They made their way to where the message had come from and went inside. The main room was empty. "I don't trust this..." Casey trailed off. "You shouldn't. Welcome to the the lair of the Purple Dragons, April. And whoever they are." Kendra smirked at the trio. "What did you do to them? Where are they Kendra?" April demanded. "I don't know what you're talking about." Kendra said simply. "Where are the turtles?" April asked again. "Oh, them. I'm afraid you won't be getting them back. I can give you their weapons though." Kendra snapped. A metal arm extended out of the wall, dropped it's contents, and retracted back into the wall. April stared at the items. Leo's swords, Ralph's sais, Mikey's nunchucks, and a few of Splinter's ninja stars. Rita walked toward them slowly. She took a ninja star and threw it angrily at Kendra. "Where's my father's things? I know you have them too." Rita growled. "Since when did Othello von Ryan have a daughter?" Jeremy scratched the back of his head. Kendra just laughed. "So Donnies got a daughter now, hm? We might have to toss her in with him since I know he's had to have taught her something about tech." "Don't. You. Dare." Casey spoke for the first time. "You know what, take your precious dad's things. We don't need them. And we don't need the others we got so you can have them too." Kendra snapped again. The wall behind them opened slowly and Raph tumbled out of the room. Mikey, Leo and Splinter jumped over him. "April!" Mikey crashed into her. "Took you guys long enough. Ralph's constant banging was really starting to get on our nerves in there." Leo stated. Rita was still by their weapons. She heard a sound to her left and turned her head to watch Donnie's tech fall beside her. His goggles, techbo, wrist tech, and battleshell. She widened her eyes. He was somewhere in here without his battleshell. He was vulnerable. She furiously grabbed it and stood up. "How dare you?! You know how vulnerable he is without this!" she shouted at Kendra. Kendra turned to her. "Yeah, I do. That's why we took it. Along with everything else too." she turned back around. "Now we have better things to do." Rita watched her go before stuffing the techbo under her arm and the battleshell over her back. She started sneaking behind Kendra. "What are you doing?! You're going to get caught!" Leo whisper shouted. Rita glanced back and shook her head. "It's either leave him or save him, and I'm saving him, whether you are too or not." she mouthed. She held the techbo in front of her and continued after Kendra. Rita ducked behind a pile of random boxes when Kendra turned her head then continued on behind her. Eventually, Kendra and the two boys stopped at a random wall. It opened and Donnie was shoved out of the small room behind it with tight-looking purple see through cuffs on his wrists and ankles. "A few pests came looking for you. We gave them your brothers, the rat, your brother's weapons and your tech and they left without even trying to look for you. Pity." Kendra smirked. Donnie didn't try standing up. With the burns on his leg and arm, and bruises all over his body, Rita could see why. "They'll come back." Donnie grunted. "I know they will. If they left at all." Rita froze. He knew she was here, of course he knew she was here. She slipped behind another random pile of boxes, peeking out of a small hole. Kendra had lost her smirk and glanced at Jason. He tapped a button on the thing he was holding. Loud footsteps sounded down the hall as a large purple dragon-like mech approached. Rita glanced at Donnie, noticing the way he flinched, which meant this wasn't the first time they had brought it over. It stopped beside Jason and he had to hit the button again. Donnie scrambled with his feet at the floor, desperate to get away. The mech had grabbed him before he could move and tossed him into the wall across the hall, allowing him a half view of Rita. Rita backed up a step and poked the techbo's tip out of the small hole she had been staring out of. She hit the button and a ray of what looked to be laser-like exploded out and went straight for Kendra and the boys. "Ah! Hey!" Kendra shouted. Rita hit the button again. Kendra ducked out of the way. The ray hit the controller in Jason's hand and sent to the floor in pieces. Rita tossed the techbo down and rushed the battleshell to Donnie. He took it gratefully. "Now get out of here! Your brothers should still be around the corner." She pulled him up slowly. Donnie glanced at the techbo on the ground and pointed. Rita looked in the direction and sprinted away to get it. Unfortunately, Jason had a spare controller for the mech. Rita grabbed the bo and started to go back when the mech approached her. She growled when one of its arm sent the boxes tumbling, reaching for her. "Hey scrap metal! Try some of this on for size!" Leo leaped around the corner and swiped his sword through the air, creating a sparkling blue portal beneath the mech. The mech made a sound and fell through. Rita scrambled away before it grabbed her and pulled her in too. Kendra growled furiously. "I said he wasn't escaping this time and I meant it. Jason!" Raph quickly rushed in and slung Donnie over his shoulder. "Not so fast!" Kendra shouted. Huge metal arms exploded from the walls. One wrenched Donnie away from Raph and another scooped Rita and the techbo up. "Let everyone go and you can keep me." Rita said suddenly. "And why would I do that?" Kendra asked. Rita threw the techbo to the ground. "Because I can help you. With whatever you need. Just let everyone go." Kendra tapped her chin in thought. "We keep the both of you and it's a deal." Rita took a deep breath and glanced at Donnie then Raph then Leo then back at Kendra. Despite all of the shaken looks, Rita nodded. "No!" Raph shouted. "Good, it's a deal. Shoo shoo now the rest of you. We have work to be done." Kendra laughed. Rita snuck a glance at Raph and winked. Kendra had forgotten one small detail: Rita hadn't said no tech. The arms put the duo down and Rita grabbed the techbo quickly. "Wait!" Rita exclaimed. "I forgot something. Can I go get it?" Kendra let out an exasperated sigh. "Yeah whatever go ahead." Rita sprinted back to the main room. She beelined for the rest of her father's tech. She slipped the wrist tech on and the goggles too. Mikey opened his mouth to ask what she was doing, but Rita shushed him. "Donnie and I will be staying." Rita whispered. "I made a deal with Kendra, but she didn't think it through. All of you can go back to the Lair. We'll be fine. Raph and Leo can probably explain more later." Rita rushed back to Kendra and nodded. "Got it all." "Great." she sighed. The metal arms pushed Donnie and Rita toward the small room and ushered them inside. Donnie fell on the cold floor on his side. Kendra looked in before the door closed. "A slight change to the deal." Rita's heart beat faster. "Y-yes?" "You can have your tech, it's not like it'll help you in there, but Donnie can't have his battleshell on. M'k?" Kendra half-smiled. Donnie let the top of the shell slip from his hands. The door closed and Kendra's face disappeared. "Now can I ask what just happened? And why both of us in here?" Donnie moved and sat up against the wall. Rita glanced over her shoulder. "I can't try to hack again without your help now can I?" ----- Before I forget again, I had decided to continue the whole using Renaissance names thing by making the mutant girls have Italian names of ladies who died recently (as recently as I could get.) So here's who they're named after: - Rita Levi Montalcini (2012) - Margherita Hack (2013) - Teresa "Chicchi" (2013) - Anna Magnani (1973) And I apologize this is longer. Much much longer. I promise the next one won't be as long.

“I got you. Don’t worry.” My hands were clenched around his, veins surging thickly from under my skin with the effort. He swung off the face of the cliff, feet kicking for a foothold and finding none. I was on my belly. Beneath us spread a wide expanse of stone and desert floor. It would have been beautiful if it wasn’t hundreds of feet down. “Can you pull me up?” He muttered through gritted teeth, breathless. He was trying not to look down. I couldn’t look anywhere else. If I looked elsewhere, I might lose my focus and … I yanked but he did not budge. “No, I’m not strong enough. Help!” I called. “Help!” Hoping for some other climber or hiker to come by. But I knew we hadn’t seen anyone else all morning, and he knew that, too. I felt my arm going numb. If I let go, I was safe, but he was dead. If I held on, there was no telling what the numbness in my arm might make me do. Let go without knowing? Pull me down with him? “Please don’t let go,” he said, looking into my eyes. “Please.” “Not an option,” I grimaced, but he must have seen the shift and struggle in my eyes because he plead again. A few seconds passed. My head was pulsating with the strain now, my arm completely numb. I felt on the verge of blackout with the strain and … I released my grasp.

The rain poured heavily on us as we made our way slowly back to the office, the sound of cars and sirens muted my groans and pants as I carried Sorren. He stumbled beside me as I helped him walk. I looked to him, unable to hide my concern with stoic silence any longer. His eyes were flutttering, his face was pale, blood from his head slowly dripped down his face along with the rain. I glanced down at his body, a steady stream of blood flowed out of his abdomen and legs like water. Desperation rose in my heart as I realized the severity of his wounds, pushing us to pick up the pace. “C’mon, were almost there!” Sorren only panted heavily in response, nearly falling over completely. I caught him as his full weight was now on me, his legs not even holding him anymore. I felt my heart rate spike. “No no no, **_Sorren_**!!” I yelled, my arms suddenly filled with strength as I moved his arm around my shoulder, wrapping my other arm around him to try and hold him up. Time seemed to slow down as we stumbled through the rain, every step felt like an eternity. I moved my com mic to my mouth, “**_Hello?! Can anyone hear me?!_**” There was static, a voice came over my earpiece, “Renji? It’s Jax. What’s-“ “**_I need help, now!! Sorren’s down, I don’t know how much longer he has!! We’re in the alleyway on Hazel and Pier!!_**” My voice was frantic as I felt myself start to hyperventilate. Jax immediately called for the others. “We’re headed there now. Minervas prepping the med room. Hang tight.” I closed my eyes and breathed heavily, trying to provoke my adrenaline to use more Neo. But the thought of losing Sorren was enough to get my anxiety to skyrocket. I felt another wave of strength rush through my body, blood started to drip from my nose as I threw Sorren over my shoulders. I started to run as fast as I could, my legs and lungs burning wildly as water splahed under my feet. I could hear Sorrens breaths become shallow and uneven, I groaned in frustration an kept running. “_Please, please hang on_.” I pleaded, clutching Sorrens body tightly. A hover car suddenly whirred to a halt at the end of the alley, Jax opened the door, “C’mon!! Get in!!” I gingerly set Sorren into the car, Jax pulling him in. I slammed the door shut and Taylor floored the gas pedal. He glanced over him, his eyes widening at his wounds. “What the hell happened?!” Taylor exclaimed, forcing his eyes to stay on the road. “We… we ran into Ruin… Sh-she…” I could barely speak, my body trembling from the amount of Neo that was flowing through me, it was almost too much. “Hey. Focus.” Jax snapped his fingers toward me. He was holding gauze against Sorrens abdomen, though his eyes pierced into mine. I nodded and took a shaky deep breath. “Ruin… She’s a survivor of the Braizer Trials… She’s Sorrens **_missing sister_**.” Jax looked up at me in surprise, Taylor suddenly slammed on the brakes as we reached the entrance of the office. “We’re here. Let’s move.” Taylor commanded. “We’ll talk about Ruin later.” Jax flung the car door open, carrying Sorren by the shoulders while I carried his legs, quickly making our way to the med room where Minerva was waiting, her eyes widening in shock. “_Sorren?!_ What the hell?! What-“ “**_Just help him!! Please!!_**” I yelled as we placed him on the stretcher. My head was pounding, feeling my heartbeat with every throb. Minerva nodded, Raze pitching in as she started to help as well. I paced a few feet away from the bed, scratching my neck roughly. I was panting heavily, Taylor put his hand on my shoulder, “Let’s give them some space.” I shook my head, “N-no, I can’t leave him right now… I have to be here-“ “You need to calm down. You’ll hurt yourself. Come with me.” My mind was racing as I kept my gaze on Sorren body as we walked away. Minerva and Raze started working quickly as time was of the essence, pulling a curtain to shield him from my peering eyes. Taylor stepped in front of me and gave me a worried and stern look, “You need to sit down, Renji. You’ve overexherted yourself.” I didn’t even notice the blood from my nose nor the dizziness I had. I panted and walked out of the room, sitting in a chair next to the med room. My body trembled despite my effort to calm my nerves. The image of Sorrens bloodied body was seared into my mind, his pale and weak face haunting my memory. Taylor kneeled in front of me and grabbed my shoulders once again. “Renji, you need to get a grip. You can’t help Sorren when he’s better if your also in a hospital bed. You—“ “**_I can’t lose him, Taylor!! I-I can’t!!_**“ I shouted as my vision started to blur. Taylors eyes widened slightly, surprised at my emotion, “…He’s going to be fine, Renji.” “You don’t know that. There was so… _so_ much blood…” Blood started streaming out of my nose again, Taylor took out his handkerchief and held it up to my nose. “I know, I know… Min and Raze will do everything they can to help him. All we can do now is wait.” I closed my eyes, seeing the image of Sorren again. **_I can’t think. I can’t breathe. I can’t… I…_** Everything started to seem far away, Taylor turned to Jax, muttering something I could barely hear. I could hear Sorren’s laugh, see his smile, seeing all of him fade as I heard Minerva frantic at the flatline noise coming from the med room. “**_Jax!! I need you in here!!_**” Min shouted, item clattering as she spoke. My eyes shot opened and I stood up, rushing to the med room. Taylor grabbed my arms and held me back with all his might, my body writhing as I felt my eyes become clouded with tears. “_Sorren!!_” Jax disappeared behind the curtain, Raze swapping places with him as she sped towards me with a syringe in hand, Taylor shouting at her to wait. But I couldn’t. I couldn’t just sit and watch Sorren deteriorate and fade away. I squirmed violently until I swung my fist at Taylor’s face, my anguish and anger overtaking my sanity. Is it too late? To tell him how I feel? How much I’ve changed because if him? It should’ve been me on the table. It should’ve been me… I let him get hurt. **I let him go**. **_It shouldve been me_**. **_It should’ve been me_**… **_It should’ve_**… _been_… —— I jolted awake, sweat dripped from my head as I panted back to life. Taylor was sitting next to me, surprised at my sudden alertness. “That was quicker then I thought.” He said in a defeated tone. “W-what happened? Where’s Sorren?” I demanded, feeling my heart start to beat faster again. “He stable, for now.” Minerva walked out of the med room, sighing softly. “But, I’m not sure for how long.” Her hair was in a mess and she had blood on her shirt. I shook my head, “What are you talking about?” “He’s hypotensive and tachycardic. I risk him dying on the table if I try to do any type of surgery. I managed to stop whatever bleeding he had with the tech we had but… the moment I cut into him, he could die on the table. He’s already lost too much blood. He…” “He doesn’t have much time.” Raze took off her scrubs and turned to me, concern written all over her face. “He has hours if we don’t get him somewhere where they can properly treat him.” “You know we can’t do that. _Especially_ with him.” Minerva hissed, crossing her arms as she glared at Raze. Silence fell over us, the EKG in the other room reminded us every second the gravity of the situation. Taylor sighed and rubbed his eyes, “How did this happen…?” I haven’t felt like this in years, a heart wrenching feeling that was paralyzing. I couldn’t move. My voice was gone. I ignored my own injuries, my body feeling like it was beaten to a pulp. I let out a shaky sigh and covered my face with my hands, my body starting to tremble again. I could feel everyone’s eyes on me. No one could ever get this much emotion out of me, not even Min. But Sorren did. Jax raised his head, tapping his hand impatiently on his leg before blurting out, “What if we gave him Neo?” Everyone turned to him, stunned by his suggestion. Taylor whipped his head to him, “No. Not a chance.” “Have you lost your mind?!” Raze growled, stepping towards Jax. Jax sighed, “We’re wasting time. If we want to save Sorren, we have to act now.” Taylor stood up and gave Jax a nasty look, “You know better. Neo is unpredictable, unmanageable. It could shut his body down entirely.” “Neo was made to enhance to body, make it into a impenetrable weapon to its host.” “With the **_right_** host. With how weak he is… he could code. We don’t have the right equipment here to help him if he does.” I added, my voice raspy and low as I looked up to Jax. Taylor turned to me, seeing how I was slightly swaying in my seat. “How are you feeling?” “Dizzy. I’ll be alright.” The EKG alarm went off in the med room, Minerva and Raze rushed back to Sorrens side, “He’s crashing. If your going to do something, **_do it now_**!!” Jax, Taylor and I exchanged glances. “We can’t risk it. We’re taking him to a hospital.” Taylor concluded, walking towards the door. Jax immediately grabbed Taylors arm, “If we take him to a hospital, he’ll draw attention. He’ll turn into a **_target_**, Taylor.” “He won’t make it if he stays here!! We have to go now!!” Their voices and the sound of the EKG drowned out in my racing thoughts. Neo could save Sorren, if his body accepts it. But if it doesn’t, he’ll die here. If we take him to a hospital, he’ll be on the nations headlines. His status will draw attention and he’ll be public target number one. “What if we used Refined Neo?” I inquired. Taylor sighed and rubbed his face, “It _could _work. It is safer, but it won’t have the same potency as Raw Neo. But his body still could reject it.” “We have to try.” Jax pleaded, “Sorren’s my friend too. I wouldn’t take the risk if it didn’t mean he could live.” Taylor paced a bit, slicking his hair back before he spoke, “Alright. We’ll do it. But where the hell are we going to get Refined Neo in the time we have?!” I stood up and leaned on the wall, “From me.” Taylors eyes widened as did Jax’s, shaking their heads as they glanced at me, “Your outburst drained you. It could a while to refine-“ “I don’t see any other option. Prep the goddamn IV.” I argued, walking into the med room. I let my adrenaline rush through me as I walked towards the other stretcher. Taylor and Jax rushed towards cabinets and drawers. Jax prepped the centrifuge on the counter, whirring it to life as I sat on the stretcher. Taylor stood on front of me, needle and tube in hand, “We can get Neo elsewhere. You don’t have to do this.” “We won’t have a second chance. There’s no time. Just… just do it.” Taylor nodded and I held out my arm, feeling cold metal pierce into my skin. My head throbbed and my nose started to drip again, the life-giving blood flowing from me into the centrifuge. My mind went blank.

One moment. Ten seconds. Tear-stained eyes. I was too late. Your dishelved look, horrified eyes, your white dress stained with what seemed like blood. In my normal state I would have just held your hand in mine and dragged you out of that apartment, leaving the beast you somehow loved. But my fist thought for itself, and without as much as a blink, I left you at the entrance to face the monster you hide behind your petite figure. It fought back but its attempt was futile as it drowned in crimson red. It's as if I was possessed in that very moment, because how could a nerd like me ever win against a beast like him? Just as it slips out of consciousness, mine crept back in. "Brother..." you wept.

We used to talk for hours. We used to pick flowers. We used to climb trees. Talking about what we could not be. You used to hold me tight. You used to stroke my hair. You told me I was special and that you really really cared. We used to be best friends. You were my beginning and my end. We never ever kissed and that was okay. But now it leaves me heartbroken every single day. Because you asked me to run away with you. But I could not go. I had a gut feeling and I tried to tell you so. But you were angry. You got in your car and left. And on the highway you chose to intercept. You killed yourself. And you already knew, That when I hear the news I would finally realize I love you too. ( oh my god this poem is so deep for me to even write. Where is this coming from i have no idea)

“Jordan,” she calls from the kitchen. “Baby carrots or big carrots?” She stands in front of the fridge, staring at the two on the shelf. “Wha- I uh,” he pauses the gun game and blinks, rubbing his eyes. “Uh. Big carrots?” “Big carrots? Why big carrots? Why those?” She sounds angered, he quietly picks up the controller again and shrugs even though she can’t see him. “I thought you liked the bigger stuff,” he grins wolfishly at the screen. The guys on the headset crack up, asking who he’s talking to. “My newly wedded wife,” he murmurs, shaking his head. “She’s honestly insane.” “Aren’t they all?” One guy named Henderson says over the headset, chuckling. “Mine’s taking care of the kids right now and I-“ “BUBBIEEEEES,” a small kid screams in the background. Jordan winces and pulls the headset away. “Getting bubbies now,” they crack up together. Jordan exits the game and tells the cackling gamers bye, one gamer claims he’s leaving to catch the action. Cautiously, Jordan walks into the kitchen where his new wife chops carrots angrily with a knife far too big. “Why did you ask if I wanted big carrots or little carrots? They taste the same. Don’t they?” Jordan scratches his crotch in front of the open refrigerator in a not so hot way as he grabs a Coke. “Because,” snap, snap, pap, the knife comes down hard on the carrots, they’re more ground up than chopped. “Because?“ he comes up behind her and hugs her, touching the cold Coke to her cheek. She sighs, pushing him away. She turns, pointing the huge knife at his chest. “Do you want babies or not?” “What?” He squeaks. “Yes or no?!” “I- I said big carrots.” “I said babies!” She slams the knife down. He exhales, “Sheesh, woman.” “Yes or no?” She repeats. “Big— I don’t— they’re carrots.” “Babies,” she touches his stomach. “Wha-“ “Will you give me your babies?” She touches her stomach this time. His mouth falls open.

“You’ve got the job,” Jordan overhears his girlfriend's boss say. He’s by the doorway, keeping out of sight as she speaks to her boss on her holophone. She’s holding her holophone outward as she stands by their bed, trying not to scream as a wide grin spreads on her face like nanos in a pajama cube spread across one’s body to create the latest pajama trend. Her tone remains serious as she thanks her boss for the exciting news. As she continues talking, Jordan zones out his mind in a galaxy far away. There is no tether around his thoughts as he lets himself drift into an unknown future. Weeks ago, when he suggested his girlfriend apply for the promotion it was because he was trying to be supportive. She was unhappy with her current job and the thought of starting fresh made her sing to herself as she reheated the breakfast he cooked her for dinner. It was a sight that made him smile but now all he felt was dread. He hears the sound of her cheering and blinks back to reality. She’s looking at him with those big brown eyes he saw infinite future’s with but right now every future he dreamt of was flickering away. The smile on her face is infectious but the vaccine of reality was preventing its spread. There’s no longer a holophone in her hand. He sees it discarded on the bed as she stares at him with expectant eyes. “I’m glad you got the job,” he croaks out, walking further into the room with a low tone full of sincerity. She hugs him, wrapping her arms around his body like a sticky candy wrapper to an unsuspecting hand. He wants to hug back but he feels like a coat rack, obsolete and unneeded. She doesn’t notice as she pulls away, instead, she skips to their closet door where she pulls out an unused luggage bag. “That’s new and unnecessarily large.” She unzips the bag with a smile. “I bought it on a whim after my interview, something just told me that I nailed it.” “We could fit our whole apartment in there.” “It’s a vintage luggage bag so no vortex pockets,” she says with disappointment. “We’re going to have to leave a lot of stuff behind.” “We’re?” Jordan repeats, his posture tensing. He sees so many futures tumble before his eyes as the terror of the unknown punches him in the gut. An unsteady breath comes out of him as the dread of a conversation he wasn’t ready to have begins. “I didn’t realize I’d have to be at our new location so quick,” his girlfriend says as she moves away from her luggage bag. “I thought maybe a couple of weeks or a month or…” Suddenly, she stops moving as she studies him. “You’re coming with me, right?” He feels his mind explode, a bang so loud he could feel his body shaking. Unlike the big bang that created our universe, there is no sign of life in him, he is drifting away from his body as his thoughts become just as lifeless as the infertile soil of the planet he lived on. He didn’t want to have this conversation. He didn’t want to make a decision so permanent and damaging that there would not be a speck of dust of him left. “Jordan?” His mouth feels dry and he’s in desperate need of a water tablet but still he utters out, “What?” “You’re coming with me right? To the new location?” “The one that’s seven galaxies away.” His voice comes out cracked and his breathing is getting unsteadier. Why did her boss have to call tonight? He thinks to himself then grips his hand into a fist. He didn’t want to have this conversation. “You said we’d talk about it,” She reminds him with a frown, coming closer. He wants to shout at her to stay away as the dread in his stomach rises. His breaths are quickening. “Jordan?” She looks at him with concern and is now close enough to touch him. He hopes she doesn’t because if she does then he’d sway in whatever direction she’d want him to. Just like a flower desperate for light. He recoils from her voice, and gives her a wary look. Somehow, he manages to speak.”I—I did say that but you just applied weeks ago an—and I didn’t think it’d be so quick.” His words are garbled, quick, and smushed together. She looks at him with concern in those big brown eyes now filled with infinite endings. Her eyes move downward to his bare wrist then they move around the room. He watches as she walks away from him and he pulls one hand to his chest as he tries to catch his breath. His fingers tingle like a soothing spider crawling on his skin during his chat sessions with his AI therapist, Emote. There was once a time where humans studied their own minds, thinking with enough research they could understand one another. After the introduction of AI therapists, however, humanity had flocked to them preferring to give up all sole information of themselves from their late night purchases to the music they listen to in the morning in favor of custom tailored therapy sessions. Jordan could just imagine the robotic spider biting him to administer his medication to dull his senses to the never ending unease inside of him. His girlfriend comes back with a bliss bracelet which once put on penetrates your skin to release endorphins that are guaranteed to instantly boost your mood. It was an item which required moderate use as it was considered addictive. He feels her fingers touch his skin as she slides the bliss bracelet on his wrist. Jordan feels a sting in his wrist as a needle comes out of the interior of the bracelet and gives him a heavy dose of bliss. The false state of calm slips into him and he stares at her with blank eyes. “Are you okay, Jordan?” He lets out a heavy breath. “I’m fine.” Even with the heavy dose of bliss in him, Jordan didn’t feel fine. “Good,” his girlfriend says with relief. “You should take a quick walk on the VR Treadmill. You love jogging through the ancient laundromats and placing those strange flat rocks into the machines.” “I’m not in the mood for a Laundrojog.” “Are you going to start packing then?” She prods, clearly wanting a definite answer from Jordan. He didn’t want to have this conversation. “Isn’t it too soon?” “I leave tonight.” His eyes widen and a frown is sketching on his face but the dosage of the bliss bracelet won’t let it form. “Can’t you ask for a later teleport time or something?” “Jordan, it’s seven galaxies away, even with teleportation’s quickness it’ll be at least two weeks before I physically get there.” “This…I…no…I can’t decide this so quick.” “You have to. Do you know how hard it is to get a teleport ticket?” “And you already have mine?” “Well no, but my boss will be messaging me about my travel arrangements any minute now and I need an answer.” He didn’t want to have this conversation. “Tonight?” “Yes, tonight, and you know once I’m out there it’s going to be difficult to get any service.” “I know,” he replies with a frown as he thinks about how his AI therapist emote will be inaccessible in that galaxy. “This is too soon. I thought we had time…” “You told me to take a chance, to reach for my dreams so now that I’ve grabbed it why the hesitation?” “It’s too soon…I didn’t think if you got it that it’d happen this fast.” He feels his heart ready to race but the dosage of bliss keeps it calm and steady. “Are you staying here or are you going with me to start anew?” Her eyes are full of infinite unknown futures while his is filled with uncertainties. With a look of regret he utters out an answer, “No.”

The room is huge. A grand chandelier hangs from the ceiling, reflecting beautiful little rainbows all around the room. The floors look to be solid marble. Cold and smooth like an ice rink in the winter. Gold designs on the walls form beautiful landscapes and natural scenes. At the center is the biggest bed, Haze has ever seen. Pink tulle billows from the ceiling above the bed like a pink waterfall and provides pretty centerpiece. On the bed looks to be blankets made of the clouds. Fluffy pillows in different colors of pink are at the top of the bed. At the center of the bed is a girl. Even though she is someone who probably hates the witch magic that flows through Haze’s veins and is sickly, she is still the most enchanting person she’s ever seen. Silky black waves spill onto the pillows, creating a halo effect around her head. Her complexion is a pretty brown, contrasting from the light bedding. Her long eyelashes just skim her cheeks. Haze wonders what color her eyes are. They must be a stunning shade. She was so entranced that she hadn’t noticed the other people in the room until Nova stepped in front of her, no doubt shielding her from any danger. “Ward, what is the meaning of this?” The king demands, his voice booming like a great roar of a predator. Haze shudders. King Harold doesn’t show his face outside of the kingdom, but she has seen paintings of his and the queen when she was little. He looked much nicer back then. Now there is heat behind his glare. Hatred. “She can heal Aziza. I promise I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t think it will work,” he explains. “We cannot trust a witch! She could make her worse!” Queen Amira’s tone is not as hard but equally distrustful. “We’re running out of options. She can give Aziza a fighting chance,” Ward pleads. From the journey to get here, Haze never witnessed him as desperate as he is now. He truly cares for Princess Aziza. “No. She will not go near my daughter,” King Harold decides, as if his word holds a heavy weight. Which Haze guesses it does. She can tell Nova is itching to speak, but for once it seems she recognizes that she has to let Ward do the talking. Ward goes in front of the king, standing tall as if he was a great, unmoving sycamore tree. “King Harold, put aside your qualms with witches for this one time. Aziza will die without her.” “And if she cannot help?” Queen Amira points out, staring warily at Haze and Nova. Her sister tenses at the attention. “Then she’ll die anyway,” he answers bluntly. Watching Ward now, she can see the love for his friend. The true devotion. Willingness to do anything for them. Even go up against a king and queen. Even to trust a witch. Maybe she wasn’t the only one to notice his complete faith. The queen’s gaze softens. Her eyes shift from her sick daughter and then back to Ward. “Harold, let her try. What do we have left to lose?” “Our daughter, Amira!” His disbelief bellows, reverberating in Haze’s ears. Nova’s fingers twitch, trying to not grab her knife. Haze is relieved that she relaizes that would not help them in this situation. Violence only brings on more violence. “Our daughter is barely hanging on,” Queen Amira gesturing to Princess Aziza whose breathing has become heavier. He directs her arms down to her side. “She will not die by a witch’s hand.” The queen’s eyes move from her daughter to the king. She looks him dead in the eye and states, “Then she’ll die by your decision.” In this moment, the queen reminds Haze of a mother deer. They are beautiful and graceful until their fawn is in danger. That’s when you see the power. The fiery determination. The king’s resolve finally cracks, “Heal her. Do anything else and I’ll have your head.” Haze jerkily nods and moves to the princess’ bedside. Nova whispers something to Ward. Haze doesn’t hear it, but she can guess the general idea when he blocks the king and queen. “You can’t be in here. Her magic relies on trust and you both obviously do not. It may interfere with her healing Aziza,” Ward cautions them. King Harold goes to open his mouth, but Queen Amira smacks him in the chest. “Whatever will be best for Aziza,” she agrees. They exit with the queen practically dragging the king. Nova relaxes next to her without the royal gaze on them. “Princess Aziza? Can you hear me?” Haze softly asks. The princess nods slowly, her eyes squeezing tight as she coughs. “I’m going to help you, but I need you to trust me.” She manages to nod her head again. Haze takes the princess’ hand in hers. Closing her eyes, she focuses all her energy on the hand she holds. Interally, she panicks when she doesn’t feel the flow of her magic. They did not come this far for her magic to falter! What will the king do to them if she can’t heal her? Her thoughts are interrupted by Nova resting her hand on her shoulder. “I trust you, Haze. I truly believe she trusts you. You need to trust yourself now.” Her sister is right as always. Nova’s and the princess’s trust can only get her so far. It is time for her to prove the world wrong. She can do this. A purple glow begins to emit from Haze’s hands. She can do this. The light gets brighter. It travels from her fingertips to the skin where her hands are clasping Princess Aziza’s. “It’s working,” she hears Ward say in awe, but she can’t focus on his words. She can do this. Her magic instinctually flows from her. The lavender light spreads across the princess’ body, the glow showing through the blankets that covered her bottom half. She can do this. Haze watches in amazement as the light envelopes her entire body before returning to Haze’s hands. When she can’t push her magic anymore, she knows she has done all she can. She did it. All of them wait with baited breath as they all study the princess. Her breathing is even and her coloring is much better. She looks like she is glowing as if she was just kissed by the sun. Then her eyelids flutter. Haze was right. Her eyes are beautiful. ——— (Doing something different and tried writing in the voice of Haze instead of Nova.)

Near the Kingdoms School of Arcana, there’s a quaint little café I work in, where mages frequent. Every day, without fail, they saunter in, their robes swishing with promises all young mage tells themselves. But they're a peculiar bunch, never tipping in mere coins. No, they leave behind little enchanted items for the waitresses—a pin that ensures perpetual good hair days, a ring that glimmers when in love. Once, a key appeared in my palm after collecting the dishes, its purpose useless to me, for when would I ever need a key that fits any lock? Today only three of the usual mages appear, whispering and sipping the teas I prepared moments earlier. I try not to tune into their conversations, I really do, but at a certain point serving tables becomes so tiresome that listening to other’s conversations becomes my sole source of entertainment. With a wet rag I wipe down the table besides them, scrubbing even when every last speck is wiped off. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity we cannot afford to ignore” one of the mages say. He appears my age, with slicked back yellow hair and a blue robe that’s too big for his lanky figure. “And if it proves futile?” queries another, her face framed by a cascade of curls, her nails incessantly tapping the tabletop. “Then we die with honor” the yellow haired boy says. I freeze for a moment, not enough to give away that I am listening, but enough to send goosebumps down my arms. The lives of mages appear so amazing and distant—and dangerous. “But to squander such a chance,” he continues, “is to fail to grasp the magnitude of our calling.” “Lue” the manager bellows from the back. “Get to work!” Shame flushes my cheeks crimson as I hasten towards the storage closet to retrieve a broom. I was lucky to have even gotten this job, but it’s not the ideal life I imagined. It is mundane, and ordinary, and so, so tiresome. While my weekends are devoted to poring over ancient tomes with Professor Haimendock in pursuit of my scribe training, my weekdays are spent in this cafe, catering to wizards and scribes whose lives I can only dare to imagine. I push aside all those pesky thoughts swirling in my mind as I stride over to collect more dishes from the cluttered table. “Excuse me?” The yellow haired wizard calls, his hand raised in the air like he owns the place. I walk over to him with a forced smile. “What can I get you?” I ask. The wizard smiles back, equally spurious. “We were wondering if you know any Lottie Laughlin who works at this cafe.” It's hardly surprising that they don't know my real name; around here, they call me Lue and all sorts of other nicknames. "And why would that be of interest to you?" I ask, folding my arms across my chest beneath my frilly apron. Another wizard with an ivory robe and crooked smile, who I’ve heard people call Cal, tosses a coin in the air and I catch it. For once, a real tip! “None of your concerns sweetheart” Cal says. I scowl and toss the coin back. “It is my concern if it is me you are looking for.” Cal's eyes widen, and the curly-haired mage beside him stifles a laugh. “Pardon my friends dreadful manners” the yellow haired mage interjects. “I’m Dain, and I assume you are the Lottie we seek.” I nod, maintaining my composure. "And what is it that you want?" I inquire, my curiosity piqued despite my reservations. It's undeniably thrilling, even if they're likely just going to ask for another packet of sugar. “We were going through the archives, looking for a scribe with knowledge on the gods who could help us—“ “All the scribes turned us down” Cal interrupts. “As I was saying” Dain scowls, “our mission is—well it’s not the type most scribes, or mages, will involve themselves in.” “What mission?” I press. The girl among them speaks up this time. "We've been tasked by the king with a mission that's beyond our capabilities, a mission that has claimed the lives of every mage who has attempted it, and a mission that Dain is, unsurprisingly, desperate to complete." “Thank you, Kira” Dain remarks sarcastically. “Your welcome.” Dain rolls his eyes before turning his attention back to me. "You may only be a scribe's apprentice, but you work under one of the foremost experts in magic and the gods." I fail to see where this flattery is leading. "So, we were thinking," Dain continues, "if you could accompany us on our mission. At least for the initial stages." My body tenses with excitement, while my gut churns with apprehension. How many times have I dreamed of such an opportunity? Too many to count. Yet, everything about their proposition seems shady. “And the mission is?” I ask. The trio look at each other and back to me. “We need to kill the God of Song.” I blink, momentarily taken aback by Dain's words. Killing a god? It's a notion so audacious, so unfathomable, that it leaves me speechless for a moment. Can a god even be killed? "The God of Song?" I echo, disbelief coloring my tone. Kira nods. “Why the God of Song?” He’s depicted as a benevolent god who sits on his thrown and strums music to mortals who seek him. If any god were to be killed, the last I would expect is him. Dain laughs nervously. “It’s not entirely clear.” I raise my brows. “Are your serious?” “Unfortunately” Kira responds. “No, I will not help you” I finally conclude. “Why do you even seek my assistance in the first place?” “Because we know next to nothing about gods” Dain says. “And we need help from someone who knows about them, where they would live, what they’re like, how to kill them—“ “You don’t even know how you’ll kill him!” I shout. All eyes in the cafeteria turn to me and I awkwardly clear my throat. “Think about it” Dain says, probably reusing the same speech he used on his friends. “The king will give us whatever we want. We will be remembered as hero’s, more even. Imagine, being one of the only people to have ever killed a god.” I chew on my lower lip, weighing the options before me. It's a decision that could alter the course of my life forever. I should say no. This is a fools mission. But I am very much a fool at heart. "Very well," I say finally, steeling my resolve. "I'll accompany you on this... mission." Dain's face lights up as he pats his friends on the back to get up. "Thank you, Lottie. You won't regret this, I promise." He’d have broken his promise by now, because I am already regretting this.

It’s as normal as any other day has ever been. I wake up, take a shower, get dressed, and start making breakfast for my daughter and I. My husband left early for work, which leaves only Maya, my four year old daughter, and I for all of Valentine’s Day. I figure what better way to spend this cheesy, hallmark holiday dedicated to love than with the one person who can always put a smile on my face. I pick her up from her seat at the kitchen table and spin her around in a quick, loose, hug, letting her feet dangle. Her smile widens and her eyes gleam. She yells, “Wooo!” I laugh in response and she giggles, grabs my neck tight and pulls herself up to my ear and whispers, “I lub you sooo much, Mommy!” I whisper in her ear, “Don’t worry, Mommy will never let you go. I love you so much.” A sudden knock at my door makes me put her down. I tell her to go sit and finish eating. I’m a cautiously intrigued because I’m not expecting any packages and I’m not expecting any company. I walk over, look into the peephole to find blackness, just a darkness. Is someone covering the hole? Thinking it’s my husband playing some stupid prank, I yank the door open wide to reprimand him for trying to scare the crap out of me. I’m left more than a little stunned, mouth agape. Confusion must be strewn all over my face as I take in the sight. An older man, maybe six foot, two inches tall, wide build, salt and pepper hair with a beard to match is standing in my doorway. I’ve never seen this man before and I look down and take note of the axe gripped loosely in his hand. He swings the butt of it up and smacks me across the face before I can form a second thought. I try to clamber to my feet. My daughter, I have to get up for my daughter. Nausea hits me as I try to pull myself up. He kicks me in the stomach and my breath escapes me. I double-over, and I’ve fallen back to the floor and don’t remember doing it. I try to grip the carpet with my fingertips and pull myself towards her, trying to squirm or move or do anything besides lay helpless. Meanwhile my daughter is wide-eyed, crying, and yelling out for me. The last thing I see is him pick her up and toss her into a wall. My vision starts fading to black. The last thought I have is an angry one, with myself. I awake to the feeling of harsh twine surrounding my wrists, which are bound in a very uncomfortable angle behind my back. My eyes search frantically around my bedroom for any sign of Maya. There is none. My stomach drops and my heart starts to ache. That gut-wrenching feeling is replaced by a hot rage and an angry determination. I feel around the small of my back under my jacket to find that my knife is still there, still attached at the waste. I send a prayer to whatever Holy Spirit is watching over us, and focus on trying to get a grip on the blade. It’s difficult enough to get unclipped, but now I have to open it and try to cut this twine one-handed. I spend the longest ten minutes of my entire life rubbing the dulled blade against the weakening rope and soon enough, it gives. My hands are trembling with anticipation as I unknot the twine around my ankles. Anticipation that he’ll walk in the door at any second and I’ll lose my last bit of leverage, the element of surprise. I have no idea who this man is or why he wants to hurt my family and I, but I’ll be damned if I don’t go down swinging. I tip-toe to the closed door of the room and put my ear against the crack to listen for anything. The only thing I can hear is the whirring of the air-conditioner in my kitchen. I crack the door open and peek out, and it’s seemingly empty. With the blade death-gripped in my right hand and my head still throbbing, I inch my way down the hall. My heart leaps into my throat as I pass by my clearly occupied bathroom. I gulp and quickly sprint out into the dining area, searching like a hungry shark who has just had the scent of his prey tickle his palate. I look from one side of the room to the next; Maya’s nowhere in sight. There’s a bloodspot on the wall from where he threw her into it and my body trembles with unaddressed rage. I look for my cell phone and that’s also lost. It seems as though the only rooms I haven’t checked might be holding the key to our escape and the retrieval of my four year old daughter. The light is still on in the bathroom and the door to my daughter’s room is cracked.   I inch my way back down the hall, passed the bathroom door, towards her room. When I swing the door open, I see her lying facedown, wrists bound by the same twine that left annoying red and purple burns on my wrists. I run to her and hold her in a tight embrace before I start to cut the rope off of her wrists. When she’s freed I feel for a pulse in her neck, slow but steady. I gently pick her up, so as to not make her injuries worse than they already could be. The blood matted to her hair makes the blood in my veins run cold but I try to remember what’s most important, getting her out alive and safe. I inch my way past the bathroom door when the toilet flushes. I run into the living room, looking wide-eyed for my car keys, very aware of the little time I have and the large amount of noise I’m making. I finally get a grip on the noisy metallic pieces of freedom and head for the door. It feels like ten years to do something as simple as unlock my deadbolt. The bathroom door opens just as I get the second lock undone. I swing my front door open wide and bolt. We can deal with Maya’s injuries once we get to a hospital, once we get out of here alive. I startle awake, pulse racing and an ache in my knees, as if I’ve been running. I turn in bed to see my husband still fast asleep. I look over at my nightstand to catch the time. It’s six-thirty in the morning. The date makes me shudder. Valentine’s Day. I’ve had dream-like premonitions but nothing this vivid before. I’ve dreamt about seeing a substitute teacher the night before we’d have that same substitute in school but nothing this violent. My body’s covered in sweat, as the hot Florida rays start to peak in through my blinds. I throw the covers back, stand and try to stretch the horror I still have creeping up my spine out of my body. My mind is aware that it was only a dream but my body hasn’t quite gotten the memo. I take a shower, get dressed, and start making breakfast for my daughter and I. As my husband’s getting ready to leave for work; I can’t shake this feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach. This feels oddly too familiar. That’s when I know. It’s going to happen. This dream was a warning. I’ve learned from my mother, there is only one rule regarding our genetic psychic ability. One cannot change the future. In other words, I have to just accept what’s in store for my daughter and I or it could alter the future to make the outcome even worse. I’ve always followed the rule, never having any reason not to. I’ve never encountered a dream quite like this one. I try to remain as calm as possible but I know when my husband kisses me goodbye he can see the fear in my eyes. Even with my reassuring tone, my eyes never lie. I sit my daughter down to eat and look at her beautiful chubby cheeks, big brown eyes, and listen to her adorable laugh as if it’s the most tranquil melody I’ve ever heard. My eyes close and the picture of her being tossed as if she’s nothing but a ragdoll, the bloodstain, the pain in the pit of my stomach, the anger all come rushing back in a fuel of adrenaline. Before I can stop myself, it’s too late. I’m already changing what’s to come. I go and unlock the gun case and grab our shotgun. I rig it to one of our kitchen chairs with a piece of twine so when the door is opened the shotgun will blast whoever’s in the doorway. It’s done and I expect it but still I jump at the sound of a knock at the door. I tell my daughter to go into her room to play with her toys. I look through the peephole. Sure enough, it’s black. I unlock the door and then jump to the side, near the hallway. I hear the doorknob jiggle and then the door swings open simultaneous with the shotgun blast. The sound reverberates through the small two-bedroom apartment. Blood pools on my white carpet. I hold my knife with a death grip as I slowly inch my way around the door to make sure he’s dead. My eyes have a hard time comprehending what’s in front of me. They fill with tears and the knife slips out of my hand. My husband is holding his stomach with one hand and a bouquet of blood-splattered, white roses with the other. Blood is pooling in his mouth as he drops to his knees. He looks at me, confusion filling his face as fast as the blood is filling our carpet. I strip my shirt and hold it to his abdomen, I whisper apologies and false notions that everything will be okay. I go to look for my phone, and I can’t seem to find it anywhere.