CHAPTER TWELVE

Bright lights blinded me and ringing filled my ears for a second before I adjusted to the light, seeing the familiar large ball of fire up in the sky. The air around me was quiet but my sensitive ears could pick up the commotion miles away. I looked around me seeing trees as green as they could be and buildings so tall that they disappeared behind the clouds. I could not help but smile.

But this time, I was not going to get sidetracked from my purpose. I was going to find them. Even if I did not make it out alive.

I took a step off the teleporting beam and walked towards the tall buildings in the distance, but halted in my steps as Luca’s words rang in my ears ‘human’, I frowned not knowing how to do or what to do “I have a suggestion” Omega stated startling me that I looked around me before answering in my mind of course “do it” I said walking towards a tree and sat under it.

Immediately I sat down, my skin started to burn as my insides turned cold causing a gasp to escape from my lips and I started to shake on the ground like I was having a seizure. I felt agonizing pain, but I willed myself not to scream. I’ve been through worse, I thought.

After what felt like years but was mare minutes, the pain faded and I laid there covered in sweat and dirt that I could have been mistaken dead, if not from the rapid rising and falling of chest due to my uneven breathing “Your cells have been changed to human cells and your body has released all its iron to produce hemoglobin for blood, changing the color of your blood to red but all these are reversible at your command or when your body has been pushed too far that it forcefully shifts in order to repair itself. Though in this stage you will be at a disadvantage towards wounds and a severe case of fatigue due to your cells using most of the energy in your body.”

I sighed and just laid there, thinking about my plans when my stomach growled and I groaned knowing the struggle I would have to go through to get some food, I could help but say what the beast of a man said every time he messed up “Damn you Satan” I said standing up and started my walk to civilization.

Some women pulled their children close to them like I was a strange creature, I thrived as they coward that I almost let a smirk appear. Others glanced at me and went back to minding their business, and the rest waved and smiled at me in which I awkwardly returned.

I was still far from the tall buildings but the area I was in had shops with a variety of clothing and food that where at affordable prices, I grabbed the weird shaped silver coins from my bag when I came across a vegetable stand that had fresh looking juicy fruits but I only had eyes for the mangoes.

“How much is the mango, sir?” I asked the man who was close to falling off his sit “uh!” he shrieked as the stool wobbled “Holy shit!” he cussed as one leg snapped under his weight but with one snap of his fingers the stool stood still like it did not have to fall, and I tensed as I asked Omega to scan him just to be sure.

His name was Osama, a retired Malien soldier ranked six, and he was disowned by his remaining family for been the only survivor in bank robbery. His status was harmless.

“What did you say little girly?” he asked adjusting the yellow cowboy hat on his head, I put on a smile “The mango, how much is it?” I asked clutching the coins in a tight grip. He smiled, his pearly white teeth almost blinding me, but I did not miss the coldness hiding in his green eyes that gazed at me “Its five silver mali” he said and I handed him the five silver mali.

I bite into the mango dismissing the idea of it been dirty or poisonous, and giving into my growling stomach. I started walking to the towards the tall buildings thinking of finding a place to stay for a while before I move out.

“Help! Help!” a croaked voice yelled and I just like everyone else turned to an old lady pointing at a blurry running figure clutching a purse in his arms as he pushed people out of his path “thief stop!” she yelled but it seemed everyone stood rooted in their spot, watching the scene with conflicting gazes.

I stood amongst them, clenching my hands that juice started dripping from the mango onto the pavement. I wanted to help, but I could not, not if I wanted to reveal myself to these people or get in trouble if they found out that I killed two Malien soldiers and a Malien android.

Sweat glistened my forehead as the figure got further and further away, I could hear my own heartbeat violently beating again my ribcage as I watched the old lady drop to the ground wrapping her arms around herself like they would give her comfort, well everyone got back to what they were doing like what just happened was a norm, an everyday thing.

I mindlessly took a step towards her and then another until I was standing right in front of her, her body shaking with every sob that rocked her body. I did not know whether to feel sorry and pity towards her or angry at the fact that no one not even herself could save her. I did not handle emotions well when it came to others, but me.

“Are you just going to stand there? Or help me up girly?” her voice brought me out of thoughts and I looked back down to see her looking at me with these doe happy hazel eyes, like she had everything she ever wanted, I dismissed her tone and swatted then pulled myself up with her holding onto my shoulders.

She snorted pulling the mucus back in and quickly wiped her face just as a gust of wind blew around us causing my vision to be unclear, I tensed thinking I was under attack but immediately the wind stilled. In front on me stood a gorgeous boy holding a purse similar to the one the man ran off with.

A groan came from beside him causing my gaze to fall to the exact man who stole the purse; bruises covering his face that had blood on it and his clothes torn and shredded into pieces. “Are you sure you’re okay?” a velvet voice asked and I turned back to see the boy looking at the old lady with a clenched jaw.

The old lady waved her hand dismissing his worries “I’m fine Neil, don’t worry about it” the old lady said making the boy whom I guessed was Neil sigh tiredly and clearly frustrated “Plus, this sweet girl helped me” the old lady said nodding her head towards me and my eyes widened at her statement which was not true.

I barely even helped her; I stood there and watched the whole scene unfold before me, then went to ask if she was okay. Yet she said I helped her, I could not understand her, I still cannot till this moment understand how I helped her.

The gorgeous boy turned towards me, the first thing that caught my attention were his dark brown eyes that reflected the rays from big ball of flames in the sky making them look like they were made from chocolate, and then his skin that was so pale that it would have been mistaken for white, but his skin made his already brown tousled hair a shade darker that it could have been mistaken for black.

He looked at me with curiosity in his eyes but his face was emotionless, at first I did not know whether he was human or not, but then Omega scanned him and warning signs went off in my head causing me to take a step back “who is she?” he asked receiving a slap to his head from the old lady even though he was two times her height “That was rude Neil! Did I not teach you better!? Now apologize to…eh to” she trailed off facing me.

I frowned at her not knowing what she wanted which did not go unnoticed by Neil who sighed “she’s asking for your name” he said and my mouth involuntarily shaped an ‘O’ and I quickly asked Omega to search for the most common name “oh! My name is…my name is Joy” I said and suddenly they vanished before me.

Darkness covered the sky and no one was already, I heard panting behind me and a foul smell burned my nostrils almost causing me to almost throw up “Rose… Rose. Rose! Rose! Your name is Rose!” I heard his familiar voice and my eyes widened, I looked up slowly and my eyes meet those haunting grey eyes that held mischief in them.

My breaths came out constricted like I was choking, he started limping towards me and I willed myself to move, yet my legs remained planted to the ground. He got closer and closer that sweat covered my scalp and face, the familiar fear that he could only bring; the one I thought I lost made itself known as I felt his warm hand on my check.

And my eyes flew open back to reality, dark brown eyes looked at me again with curiosity and worry “You okay girly? You looked like you were gonna pass out mare seconds ago” the old lady asked and I blinked as I nodded slowly, I forced a smile on my face even though I felt like I was close to death just a while ago.

“How about I treat you to some coffee at my shop as a thank you? And you could freshen up, you don’t look too good” the old lady suggested, I vigorously shook my head at the same time that Neil shouted no causing the old lady to glare at the both of us, almost reminding me of Ms. Nama.

“You both have no say in this. So either walk with me like normal people or I drag you both by the ears in front of everyone!” she snapped not giving us any option causing Neil and I to sigh at the same time.

We walked for about fifteen minutes, they were so many people that I could not help scan each and every one of them just to be sure. Almost everyone was Malien and the rest were hybrids, only a few of them were humans.

“I take it you are new here. Am I right girly?” the old lady asked clearly seeing how I looked around like a child receiving millions of gift bags of candy “yes” I answered as my eyes traveled to the tall buildings that seemed closer “Those are office buildings” Neil said chuckling a little making me want to roll my eyes but I fought the urge and smiled sheepishly.

Even I was freaked out at how well I was acting to be this powerless and shy, but I had to put in my all to pull my façade off and put out a good show.

I sat down next to Neil waiting for the old lady to bring her special tea, I looked around the small cozy tea shop named ‘Tree tea’ which sounded like treaty; two of the walls had a baby blue paint with white lines on it while one where the customers entered was made of glass that you could see the outside and the other was painted white, it had the counter and kitchen that was visible for all to see. It was beautiful.

Two golden paper cups were put in front of us and a weird looking green substance sat still inside “Go on, try it” the old lady urged me on with a smile and a shine in her eyes that can only be defined as pride, I internally sighed and grasp the warm cup bringing it to my lips.

I hummed in delight, I could see why she took pride in a simple cup “It’s amazing” I said actually smiling at her, she nodded in gratitude and went towards the kitchen. Neil quietly drunk his tea, his elbow constantly brushing my arm which was okay at the beginning but got annoying that I wanted nothing more than to dislocate it from his body.

Five minutes and the thirteenth elbow brushing games later, I turned my head so fast that I was surprised it did not fall to the ground “what’s your problem?!” I snapped and he continued to look forward while drinking his tea until it finished which drove me beyond the wrath of hell.

He looked at me from the corner of his eye as I continued to glare at him before going back to stare at the front “I don’t trust you” he said and I rolled my eyes at him knowing he could still see me from his peripheral view “Then don’t” I said going back to face the front.

He was really childish, but he judged me too fast to not trust me. Damn him! I could be trustful! I thought as I drunk my tea with a frown, but even I knew I was lying. I had been lying for such a long time now, that the only truth I knew was revenge. I did not even trust myself. It’s either I betray them or they betray me, even I betray myself some times.

My shadow betrays me when it gets too dark; disappearing and leaving me with my demons to torment me. My body betrays me when the pain becomes unbearable leaving me to scream my sorrow and pain out. And everyone betrays you when they knowingly or unknowingly choose someone or something over you.

“Never even trust your own shadow” I said and finished my tea.

AREA 34 SECTION B

Her heels tapped fiercely against the metal plates as she elegantly walked to the commander’s office, heads turned her way, gazes of lust and envy lingered on her but she paid them no mind for she had an important task at hand.

Chris quickly stood up from his seat as she came into view, he frowned not knowing what she’s even doing in this area when she was supposed to be aiding the task force in conquering Area one hundred “Madam to what do we owe this visit?” he asked with a shaky voice that bruised his ego, even after having worked there for years he still could not help but be afraid of her.

She ignored him and opened the large black office doors with a bang that echoed throughout the entire floor starling everyone else but the commander who sat in his seat with a glass of vodka.

She glared at him with unshed tears “Give me the mission you gave Orion!” she demanded clenching her gun in her hand that it shook showing how close she was to losing control, he gulped down the vodka grimacing at the taste “Even if I told you no, you would sneak out and find his killer” he said finally looking at her.

She remained quiet and he sighed “Be careful” he said and watched her walk out with an aura that even the demons shrieked at her in fear. She was going to find out who killed him and she was going to make their death slow and painful.