A few days later.
“We’ve had enough!” a man in his late thirties pounded his fist on the table. “We can't say we have a good leader when all she does is bring more controversy.”
The rest of the adults in the room muttered in agreement
“No less than one month and we’re being branded as a cult for just existing in your vicinity.” a slightly older woman said to the blonde girl on the other side of her desk, groggy from just waking up at three o’clock in the morning.
For some reason, they planned this intervention when I wouldn't be able to think straight. She exhaled, but best to deal with this sooner than later…
She got up, saying, “You’re right. Regarding the alleged attacks, I have a meeting with the Executives to deal with the rumors with the highest authority.”
This reduced their agitation, albeit slightly.
“But silencing them will only make us look worse.” the man said
She yawned and leaned on her deck “Then we cover it with better news,” she paused as she inwardly cringed at her morning breath “Us doing what Haven was built to do. Help the world.”
They looked at each other. Well, they knew that the cult allegation wasn't leaving anytime soon, not if she spoke like that.
“Tell you what, free day for everyone to rest and actually mull over this. Then tomorrow,” she stressed “at a reasonable time. We continue, refreshed and well rested.” she stressed again, staring at all of them. They seemed on board with it and started to walk out. The moment the last adult left, she sighed and lay on her carpet.
I’m so tired. She forced herself up, excited to leave her bed. Staring out of her window at her town, she felt pride, despite her problems. Her resolve to help the world strengthened as she rushed to her sweet, soft bedroom-
“Good morning Alice,” Vida said, seated on the island and drinking tea. She heard the door open as Nina ran in, dressed and ready for the day. Ethan walked out, dressed and ready to wait for the car to go wherever.
Am I the only one who sleeps around here?
“Hey Ethan, we’re having a sort of holiday today-”
He froze. “What?”
“Yeah, It was pretty last minute but-”
“No-No, No.” he pulled out his phone and went outside to call the hooded figure frantically, his hands shaking. They answered on the 5th ring.
“Why the fuck are you awake at this time,” they said groggily.
“You need to call the thing off.”
“Why?” They asked, alert now.
“They chose to have a holiday. Everyone will be here.”
“Oh,” they said, chipper now “Ok.”
Then the line went dead.
Back inside, Alice looked down sadly, Maybe I was wrong-
“Trust me, you weren't” Vida patted her back, as if she read her mind “Let’s get your lazy ass to bed.”
“It’s 3:00!” she stressed “who is even alive at this time.”
Vida laughed, “Maybe I’m nervous because It’s the first day of school.”
She sighed “Maybe.”
Walking back to her room and closing the door just as Ethan walked in, looking satisfied. He walked past Vida into the kitchen to take an energy drink
“Ethan,” she called out. He ignored her. “Who’s your hooded friend”
That stopped him. “What?” He turned around slowly, shock visible on his face.
She smiled and stood up “Let’s talk in the kitchen.”
They leaned on separate counters, Vida Started, “Nina heard your little beatdown and went to tell her dragon, who decided to look at your acions over the past month, and can I just say…” she got up and clapped slowly “...wow. You are really stupid- In fact…” she pulled out the notes app on her phone, “...let me read it out to you.”
“They made first contact with the hooded figure and showed you a ‘vision ’ one of the Executives had about Alice's veil energy eating her alive-” she read.
“Exactly, the thing that told you what I did had to have shown you what they showed me…”
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“You are surrounded by veil users in every corner, Ethan, something told you that it was an illusion.” She said, getting annoyed “You wanted an excuse!” she inched closer, her voice rising.
“An excuse for what.” he asked, unfazed.
“To help them do whatever they plan on doing today”
“It’s actually tomorrow” he said, shamelessly admitting it.
“YOU DUMB-” She raised her fist.
“Vida, Let’s go and play with Taki-” Nina rushed in, excited. Then paused as she saw Ethan standing there, and started shivering.
“Nina,” Vida reached out “Are you alright-”
She froze. Not because she wanted to, but because she had to, as if a force greater than nature was staring her in the eye. And she knew she couldn't stare back, her fight-or-flight had evaporated, leaving her powerless-
“Why” a word was heard from Nina, but not by Nina. There were multiple voices, each one fighting for attention, and hearing them speak would have made her fall back a bit, if she wasn't frozen.
She was standing on the cabinet behind Ethan now. Her small hands grabbed his face that was frozen, just like hers, and turned him to look her in the eye. Her dragon-like, golden eyes. He managed to become even more terrified than she was, with one drop of sweat being brave enough to escape.
“Why?” Nina said it again, looking at him eye to eye, all the heat around them started to dissipate, making him start to freeze.
“You won't answer-” she started, but never got to finish. She had disappeared in a flash of light.
“Are you guys alright?” Alice walked in, and almost immediately they regained control of their bodies, Ethan fell over, clutching the countertop for support as he coughed. Alice rushed to him, Taking one of his palms in her hands.
“You’re freezing-”
“I know” He moved his hands away from hers.
She sighed in annoyance, “I woke up to stop you from getting skewered, so let me do what I have to, then go back to bed.” she decided to try something, stepping back, she moved two fingers to him. A light green fog followed her finger’s path and engulfed Ethan, which made him feel better, though dont tell him I told you that, he’s too cool for that.
Before he could say he didn't ask for her help, she left,
“Tell me you didn't ask when I have the energy to actually care,” she walked out. “I’ll need to visit Nana after she cools down in my veil. I’m going back to bed.”
Ethan stayed with the countertops, his eyes more violent than ever.
Alice is the greatest veil user ever…Vida is classified as a city level threat…
The last few months ran through his mind.
That Ninja kid…Even she could wipe me off the face of the earth if I so much as looked at Alice with hatred.
His breaths became labored, his eyes focused on nothing in particular.
Why? He thought, gripping the countertop.
Why? Why? Why? Why… He rushed past Vida, who was watching him with worry
Why? Today of all days. He locked himself in his room and sat on the bed, resting his hands on his head as he felt himself go mad.
Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why
Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why
Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why
Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why-
No, One thought had managed to fight its way to the front of his mind, I can't sit uselessly. They can be the best. I’ll simply become better. They’ll never understand why, but I do, and that’s enough.
He got up and stared out of his window, there were families sitting outside with their children, his downward spiral had lasted longer than it seemed. It was about 7 o’clock now.
“Master Ethan,” Orelans, one of Alice’s drivers walked in, an old man with a black suit and a particularly beautiful mustache. “The car is ready to send you to your new trainer.”
Ethan smiled, a cold smile “Thanks Orelans,” he walked out “You’re on time as always.”
Vida sat in the car with a sigh something’s going to happen today, I don't know what though.
“We're going, Vida.” Aidan, Vida’s driver said to her.
“Let's go, I’ll try to stay behind if we wait any longer.”
As they pulled out, they saw Ethan getting into his car with cold eyes and her bad feeling got worse.
What happened to him… She thought as the car sped up and left.
Ethan was staring out of the window, thinking about the strength he would get, as he linked with the main road, He was honestly just relaxing before he got there. Then he saw it.
A black armored jeep, then another, then another. There were about 12 of them, and once the last one crossed him, he felt a shift in the air. Looking out of the rear window, he saw a force field, that would have been invisible if not for the small occasional glitch.
The only place of interest to the government there is Haven. They must be setting up for tomorrow.
He got a message from the Hooded figure.
That ‘calling it off’ thing… I lied :)
His heart sprung out of control, but he got it under control. He looked back, then forward, then went back to rest. He made his choice.
It will be easier to be stronger than them when they’re dead.
Vida on the other hand, had started sending messages to Alice the moment she saw the first Jeep. Nothing went through.
That barrier, Is blocking communication. Turning to Aidan, she said frantically.
“We need to turn around-”
“No can do Vida. I’m under instruction to prevent you from going back upon the event of you attempting to.” He smiled coldly and looked at her through the rearview mirror. “But feel free to try, I’ve honestly wanted to fight Alice, but you’re a good warmup.”
Her heart stopped as she watched him “Wh-Why?” she asked.
He stayed silent, as he reached for the blade in the door compartment. “What are you going to do about it.”
She put her head in her hands sadly “I’m going to have to kill you now. I have people to save.”
His smile widened “I’m counting on it.”
