:://SORREN//::

Monotonous beeping drew me out of my sleep. I stirred and opened my eyes, the room was light by the soft light of the EKG and other small devices that lit the med room. I groaned and sat up in the bed, my head spinning slightly as I gathered my bearings. Small wires were attached to my chest and two IV lines was inserted into both of my arms.

The moments I remembered before everything blanks out was… My mind immediately cleared and my gaze shot up. _Evelyn_.

I quickly threw the blanket off of me and got up, carefully taking out the IVs from my arms and the patches that were on my chest.

Quick footsteps came to the room, “Oh my god, your up!”

I looked up and saw Raze, being relieved someone was even here. “Raze!”

She quickly walked up to me and hugged me tightly. I winced in pain and returned her embrace, “I wasn’t asleep for too long, was I?”

She pulled away and gave me a worried look, “Sorren, you were out for four days.”

“_Four days_?!”I blurted. I shook my head, remembering what got me up in the first place.

“…nevermind that. Where’s Renji?”

“She’s out on the field with Taylor and Jax. Oh! I should call them!” She quickly turned to leave but abruptly stopped. “Oh, damn. Here, let me help you get out of this.”

She walked over to a drawer and pulled out blue Coban tape and gauze.

I made my way to the bathroom to change, still a little shaky and weak. I slowly took off the gown, seeing my injuries for the first time. A thin, deep scar lined my abdomen, another jagged one was on my left shoulder, almost reaching my neck.

_“You’ve grown up so well, ‘Ren…”_

A chill went down my spine, sorrow and grief suddenly clenched my heart. I slipped on new pants and a shirt, grabbing my now fixed and washed jacket. I hovered over the sink and washed my face. My gaze went up to the mirror, my eyes widening slightly. Another scar had welcomed itself onto the side of my forehead, the dark red line smudging my once picture perfect face.

_“I have to do what’s best, now. Theres so much you don’t know, and I hope it stays that way.”_

I let out a shaky breath and closed my eyes as memories before everything went hazy flooded my mind in an instant.

—

“E-Evelyn…?”

She stopped and looked at me through her mask. With a slow movement, she took off her mask, revealing a face I never believed I would see again. I took a step back, horror and an overwhelming relief came over me.

“I’m surprised you even remember me.”

I heard Renji shift behind me, her eyes also widened. Evelyn looked to her, “Never thought you would see me again either… didn’t you?” she let out a dark chuckle.

Renji scoffed as she tightened her grip on her spear, “That fire should’ve killed you.”

Evelyn bursted into laughter, taking slow steps to us, “No ‘welcome back’? No ‘glad to see your safe?’ Typical of you… _RL-1_.”

We both started to take slow steps back, still keeping our guard up considering she’s still unpredictable.

“_Don’t your dare call me that_.” Renji hissed, taking a step forward. Evelyn suddenly charged at her, her own blade drawn as their blades suddenly clashed. The abrupt brawl took me by surprise, hearing their tech slash and whistle through the air.

“What? Still being haunted by that damned doctor are you? Still not satisfied with what you couldn’t give him?” Evelyn said with a dark smile. Renji yelled in frustration and pushed her back, making her stumble. Evelyn charged at her again, her ferocity terrifying as Renji matched it, her eyes glowing that horrifying light blue.

“**_Evelyn! Stop it!_**” I shouted. I grabbed the handle of my sword from my belt, the blade forming and unsheathing from its base. I lunged into the middle of Evelyn’s attack, outstretching it to stop her own blade before it reached Renji’s

“_Evelyn!!_”

She turned her enraged eyes to me, “Stay out of this. I have some… loose ends to tie…” Before I could even reply, she was already back at Renji’s side, both of them parrying each other’s brutal strengths.

“So, have you done it? Found your purpose? Took revenge you vowed to get for your silly sob story?”

Renji suddenly started to gain an advantage, Evelyn starting to slowly back into a corner.

“_Wouldn’t you like to know?!_” Renji growled, the rage Evelyn was causing could be felt for miles. Renji’s spear suddenly slashed at Evelyn’s leg, making her cry out. She hissed and cackled, “Looks like Braizer was right… you were the perfect experiment…”

“**_Shut the hell up already!!_**”

Sai chimed in my ear, “_Sorren, Renji’s Neo levels are rising exponentially. Corruption is imminent. You have to stop this._”

“H-how?! S-she… Ev… I-I…”

“**_Sorren! Focus!!_**”

I flinched at Sai’s sudden sternness. “R-right…”

“_Renji is out of control. She’s not listening, she’ll collapse at this rate. _**_You must stop this. Now._**”

I nodded and quickly thought of how to stop this horrific reunion.

Before I could think, my legs were already running towards Renji. I tightened my grip on my blade, inserting myself in between them. Renji’s spear nicked my head, a stinging pain flooded my head but I ignored it.

“**_Renji, stop!!_**”

She suddenly focused on me, her eyes widening as she saw blood trickle down my face. She panted heavily and shook her head, “S-Sorren, stay out of—“

A sudden slash at my back made me stumble forward. Renji yelled out something I couldn’t tell, grabbing me and pulling me away from Evelyn. Her blade stained with my blood.

“You’ve grown up so well, ‘Ren. You stand up for others, such a contrast to who you were so long ago…”

I groaned in pain and turned to her, a heavy and inexplicable feeling filling my chest.

“Please… stop Ev…”

Renji lashed out at Evelyn once more, starting their fight once more. Sai spoke again, “_I’ve called Taylor and the others. Hold tight, Sorren._”

“W-what about Renji…?”

Sai hesitated, “…_You’ve given her some time. Neo levels have increased again. Focus on yourself right now._”

I turned and saw Renji falter, the blue hue in her eyes flickering as she was obviously starting to lose the fight. Evelyn was relentless, as well as Renji. Their past seemed to run farther then I thought, why didn’t Renji tell me…?

Renji suddenly stumbled back as Evelyns sword sliced into her arm, blood splattering onto the ground. That was enough to get me to stand up straight and blindly charge towards Ev. The strength Evelyn had was so much more then I expected, my hands slightly shaking from my injury and her force.

“Sorren… I told you to stay out of this.”

“_Shut up and listen to me!!_” I shouted, panting softly. “How are you alive?! A-and why did you never… never come back..?”

Evelyn sighed, “I couldn’t because I’ve had to right wrongs that werent’ made by me, Sorren. I can’t bring you into it, you were safer with Mom and Dad.”

I pushed against her blade, “_Bullshit!! _You always cared about us more then anything!! You didn’t have the god damn **_decency_** to come back and let us know you were alive?!”

Evelyn also started to push back effortlessly, “No. My death was the perfect guise for me to work when I could… I have to do what’s best now. There’s so much you don’t know… and I hope it stays that way.”

She suddenly moved her sword, it whistled through the air and across my shoulder. I groaned loudly and stepped back. Renji came back again, not before Evelyn suddenly struck her on the side of her neck with the blunt end of her sword. Renji fell to the ground in a heap, her spear clattering and deactivating to the ground.

“_Renji has been neutralized. S-Sending em-rgen-y dis-stress signal. Sorren-ren, get out of there! Now-NOW!!_”

Sai started to cut out, only adding to the pile of emotions threatening to break in me. I gripped my sword tightly and slashed towards Evelyn, slicing her chest. She let out a surprised yell and growled.

“You never knew how to listen… _did you_?” Her expression was dark. Her eyes were locked onto me as she sent a flurry of attacks to me, her blade fast and steady. I could barely keep up, both of my hands holding onto my sword for dear life. All of it was futile…

Evelyn landed a kick to my leg, making my fall forward as she plunged her sword straight into my abdomen. The pain didn’t register until I coughed, feeling everything get far and light. I wrapped my hands around her blade, trying weakly to get it out. Blood came from my hands as my weak grip tried to pull. It didn’t belong there… I’m not suppose to be here… Evelyns suppose to be gone… R-Renji’s… hurt…

Evelyn’s eyes stared down at me, tears streaming down her face, “I’m so sorry… but it has to be this way… I hope… you understand… One day…”

She pulled her blade out slowly. I winced weakly, blood surging to my throat as I sputtered.

“I hope we meet under better circumstances… Sorren.”

She slowly walked away until I couldn’t recognize anything anymore. I fell forward onto the ground. Whatever disturbance was interfering with Sai had left as she spoke again.

“**_Sorren!! Sorren, stay awake. Talk to me._**”

My body twitched, unable to comprehend the amount of pain I was in. Just breathing hurt. Every inhale an agonizing pain sprouting from my abdomen to the rest of my body. I gurgled softly and coughed, “S-s… Sai… Ren… _Renji-i_…”

“_Renji’s fine. Save your energy and stay still. Taylor’s ETA is.. i-is 15 minutes._”

That was too long. Was I really going to die here? By the hand of my own sibling…? Everything started to go dark and my eyes were impossible to keep open.

“_Sorren. Sorren, you have to stay awake. Your too unstable to fall unconsciousness now._”

“…t-tell… t… R… Ren…”

“_Yes? What is it, Sorren? _**_Please_**_.”_

I coughed weakly again and my mind slowly went blank. Sai started to speak incessantly, but I didn’t register any of it. Warm blood pooled underneath me, more streaming from my mouth. I felt my body go limp and my eyes stayed half-lidded while I succumbed to peaceful sleep.

—

“Sorren? Are you alright?”

Raze’s knocks on the bathroom door made me flinch, “Y-yeah… I’m fine.” I had managed to slip onto the floor, my eyes burning with my cheeks wet. I roughly wiped my face, anger bubbling up inside me.

“The others are almost here! I’m-“

I opened the door, gazing down at her with a half-hearted smile. “Thanks… Raze.”

She nodded as I brushed past her, the office door slamming open as Jax ran inside.

“Oh my god!” He chuckled and ran up to me, wrapping his arms around me tightly.

“Easy. He just woke up.” Taylor walked in and also gave me a soft embrace. “Welcome back to the land of the living.”

“… thanks.”

My gaze turned towards the last person coming through the door.

“Your up.”

I took a deep and shaky breath, my fists clenching, “…_is it that obvious?_”

“Your standing, aren’t you?”

Renji looked like she hadn’t slept in days, blood was splattered on her neck. Anger turned into rage at her nonchalance. I suddenly grabbed her by the collar and slammed her into the wall, a newfound and brutal strength swelling in me.

“**_You got some fucking nerve to just act like nothing happened, you selfish piece of SHIT!!_**”

The outburst alarmed everyone, **_except_** Renji.

“**_Glad to see your up…_**”