“Darling, I love you…” He was the heir to the consortium and she had just divorced. The day she was divorced, she was kidnapped and forced to be the doctor in charge of his case. To add insult to injury, this man would sleepwalk to her bed every two to three days… another headache!

Sabi ni Dr. Seuss, malalaman mo raw na in love ka kung mas better ang realidad kaysa sa pantasya. 'Yong tipong mas maganda sa kwento ni Cinderella o ni Snowhite.

Ako si Eunice, ang babaeng labis na nagmamahal sa lalaking laman parati ng aking pantasiya.

Mahal ko siya pero para sa kaniya ang pag-ibig ko ay isang balewala.

***
All Rights Reserved.

This is a work of fiction. Names of a person, places, things, events and etablishments are used fictitiously. Any resemblance in real life is purely coincindental.

Now,remember I mentioned that a special surprise was coming out of the hole,well that about to be revealed.



Out of the hole,came Franklin Delano Roosevelt,Col Jacob Schnick,George Nissen and Larry, Laszlo Biro,and Nestle.Theodore Seuss Geisel a.k.a. Dr. Seuss, and Billie Holiday.



It happened by a big flash.



All the people look around,see Amabelle,and asks ¨How did we get here?"



"I can explain that,but I must ask what do you think about magic after everything that happened?" Ambelle tells the adults.



"To be honest,I'm willing to believe anything,since a mysterious beast destroyed my place that I love to sing at", Billie Holiday admitted.



"I thought I recognize you,you´re that jazz singer: BIllie Holiday", Amanda´s eyes glowed.



 "The one and only,hey! Your that girl who kept coming to listening to my songs.But,you disappeared; where did you go?" Billie Holiday remembered.



"My parents go through music phases that change every week,so I had to sneak out with the help of Snow. So does that mean your out of your career?" Amanda tells Billie Holiday.



"No way! Girrrrl! I'm always ready to sing!" Billie Holiday sang.



"I'm glad to hear that,because I need everyone's help to defeat the wicked thing/person that nearly destroyed the Earth,in order to collect the energy of miserable people", smiled Ambelle.



After seeing Ambelle's smile,FDR,Dr.Seuss,and George back away,looking scared.



"So,you remember me,I thought everybody on this planet had forgotten me", Ambelle noticed,with dark energy behind her in the form of snake;and she has an evil look in her eyes.



"But,you died,we saw the whole world did and the president declared to never speak of it again", remembered George.



"Shame,and to think of all the things I did for you ungrateful mortals", Amabelle shakes her head.



"It wasn't our choice,I never forgot,I hoped you would come back so I could share my books with you,since you said you love them,but then you disappeared and then I heard the news", admitted Dr.Seuss.

"Wait,but you said you were trapped in that dungeon for a while,so you could stay away from humans,I thought that meant you were there for a hundred years or so", Amanda blurted.



"Dungeon!" gasped the adults.



"Of the years of my land,is exactly one million years,but on Earth it would be exactly ten years",answered Ambella.



"Only ten years,those calculations can't be correct", Jake doubted.



"How long ago? Did the president pass that law?" asked Amanda.



"Which president was it?" asked Jake.



"Calvin Coolidge", replied Dr.Seuss.



"Oh!" gasped the kids.



"Jake", said Ambella.



Jake finished his calculations, and says "She's right, it's been exactly ten years".



"I guess what's been going on in our lives, it felt longer", shrugged FDR.



"That means that you have deluded into believing that this woman is a villian in her world,yet still known as a hero in this world, she kills people in cold blood,yet you see that as her unique nature. Is pretty much,what I'm getting", Snow analyzed.



"I'm surprised you could analyze all that just by hearing that the president made a law to forget about one of the most badass,legendary girls I have ever met", said Billie, surprised.



"Yes, also David showing the type of powers,skills,and crimes that she committed in their world,he doesn't have any info on the crimes she committed in our world", answered Snow, looking at the images from David's scepter.



"Well, I killed,stole,killed again,freed slaves, put people in the hospital, freed wild animals,nearly started a war,broke into somebody else's property, claimed that I created several items claimed to be made by Italians,also I destroyed the white house three times", Ambella listed.



"Are you done?" asked Snowberry.



"And sent 30 million people swimming with the sharks,now i'm done", said Ambella.

"No offense,but how are you friends with a president,jazz singer,inventors,and an author?" asked Amanda.



"Oh! Well, FDR I helped him to become president,Dr. Seuss I helped him come up with the inspiration for 'The Cat in the Hat", BIllie Singer I helped her come up with a special song,while she was in a funk,and the inventors I was able to help them sell their items from all over", explained Ambella.



FDR walked up to Ambella and says "Also, she's part of the army,so that was a huge help for me nobody could defeat her".



"Yeah, not that I hate to interrupt this,but shouldn't we stop your sister from draining all life from Earth and making all humanity her slaves,before it's too late", replied Snowberry.



"Well, that won't be a problem, all we need to do is go to the white house,grab some weapons,and go before the red moon comes up", Ambella remembered.



"That the whole plan?" asked Jake, shocked.



"One. Where the hell are we going to get the kind of weapons to stop your sister? and Two. What the hell are those creatures coming towards us?" questioned Farm boy.



"Stand back", Amabella insisted.



Amabella runs towards a bunch of shadow creatures that are revealed to be giant werewolves with venus fly traps as their arms. 



Amabella with her bare hands rips the werewolves off, snapping their necks, cutting them up, blood spreading all over, and soon all the werewolves are dead.



Ambella has blood over her hand, and has an evil grin over her mouth.



"Are you okay?" asked Snowberry.



"It's been a long time since I felt the rush of killing, the taste of blood, the thrill of it all", answered Amabelle, feeling so much energy.



"Are you sure? She's a hero", asked Amanda.



"She's an anti-hero, a hero that helps, but for her own reasons and game", replied Dr. Seuss.



"Okay. But, never mind,  said Snowberry, not feeling like arguing.

"That's not the only thing heading this way",  said Amabelle with her eyes glowing in the direction the creatures coming.



Soon, they notice the ground shaking, so they look up to see a bunch of giants that has animal fur on, along with doll-like companions that have swords, spirits made of black smoke, a creature made of a garden, and a man who has long blonde hair, wearing a black suit, black wings, black gloves, and black shoes,



Each of the creature locks their eyes at each other, then look at Amabelle.



"Amabelle. Pleasure to see you, once again", said The man with black wings.



"As well as you, Lord Terror", said Amabelle, walking towards the creatures.



As she walks closer, Larry,George, FDR, Dr. Seuss, Billie Holiday,Col Jacob Schnick, Nestle, and Laszlo start glowing,which makes a force field around them, the energy in it makes objects appear: Ballpoint pen, coffee cup, microphone, a book, trampoline, a flag, and an electric razor.



After these objects appear, Amabelle floats in the air, and causes a strong wind to blow, making a fog appears.



This fog has a red aura around it, this startles the creatures, which confuses the mortals, out of Amabelle's mouth comes a blue aura, that attacks the creatures.



The creatures fight back, but lose their necks, hearts, get killed in the most brutal way, the only one that is untouched is Lord Terror, who is covered in blood, and is stunned.



The blue aura takes a form of a giant snake, the snake wraps around Lord Terror making him land on the ground.



Lord Terror calls to Ambelle, but she remains in the air, until Lord Terror warns Ambelle that her sister is on her way, and since she could sense her sister's presence; she knew it was true.



Amabelle flies down, releasing her aura, but before she could get down she gets blasted by a laser.



Amabelle lands on the ground, from a distance, she sees Ashley and Emma.



"Oh! Dear sister, I thought you got over this rebellious part of your life", Emma assumed.



"Well, I have fooled many people into thinking that, I am an excellent liar", Amabelle boasted.



"You are, I admit it, which makes me proud of you; And also hurt me, that I have to destroy you", Emma says, as she gets out her scepter, and charges at Ambelle.



Amabelle dodges Emma, and they both land on the ground.



"Poor sister, so misguided, I knew that you wouldn't be able to resist to pick a fight with me", Amabelle smiled.



"I feel sorry for you too, helping the mortals, that betrayed you while you were in that dungeon of mine", said Emma.



Emma raises her scepter in the air, her eyes glow red, causing a storm, which summons lightning destroying houses; the lightning heads to the town.



At the town, the people remaining are in a coffee shop, where adults are enjoying instant coffee.



"Nestle, knew that instant coffee was the best thing that ever happened", sighed a woman who has messy long blonde hair, wearing a black dress, and no shoes, sitting in a chair, drinking.



In the bathroom, a man who has red hair, wearing a white suit, that is using an electric razor to trim his beard.



"I'm glad, I called my friend, Jacob, this beard, needed a trim", said the man.



In the backroom, the kids are bouncing on the trampoline, being watched by two men drinking coffee.



The boys wore short shorts and tall socks, and a girl is a nice long dress with beautiful hats.

"Do you know who brought this in here?" asked The first man.



"Some men called George and Larry", remembered the second man.



In the first room, there's a man sporting a fedora, double-breasted overcoat, white shirt, brown pants, and black shoes is using a ballpoint pen to write in his notebook.



By the man is an adult husky drinking water in a bowl.

The people hear an explosion, this makes the kids look out the window, and see the lightning destroying houses.



The adults head for the back, and guide the children to the basement.

Back outside, Ambelle and Emma battle.



Ashley takes the bracelet, Emma led her, which made the inventors, president, and author's items glow.



Jake seeing this, he figured out what they should, he tells Dr. Seuss to open his book.



Dr. Seuss opens his book, and says "I summon the spirit of nature to bring peace and balance to this town, I ask that you help the people believe; Nartia".



As Dr. Seuss says these words, the book is glowing, then it releases a giant ball of green energy from the book; this green energy is revealed to be a child who has a green aura, and looking like a tree.



This child is Nartia, Nartia speeds like a cheetah from the town and back bringing the beauty of town, trees, houses , backyards, front yards are repaired, and the clouds with the lightning disappear.



"Do you like it?" asked Nartia.



"I love it!" exclaimed Amanda.



"That is impressive", Farmboy admitted.



"I just hope, sister, can help keep this place stays safe", said Nartia, referring to Amabelle.



"Wait! You're all sisters?" questioned Snowberry, referring to Ambelle, Emma, and Nartia.



"Not by blood like you humans, we are created by father, to be the most powerful beings, looking over our own kingdoms, but Emma, she wanted all kingdoms, which made father banish her", Nartia explained.



"And who is this father?" questioned Farmboy.



"The secret we kept is we can never speak or mention his name, otherwise, we die", Nartia revealed, while watching Amabelle and Emma fight.



"That's a harsh rule, does your father love you?" Amanda replied.



"I haven't seen him in centuries, I always assumed yes, but Emma never did, Amabelle is the only one who truly can visit father openly", Nartia admitted.



"So, the form Amabelle was in, when found her in the dungeon was her true form?" asked Jake.

"It was indeed, she likes to hide it from humans", said Nartia.



Finally, Anabelle turns back into her true form, Emma turns into a creature with shark teeth, wolf ears, snake eyes, claws, a body of a cheetah, with hawk wings, while that is happening Ashley's bracelet turns into a scepter that looks like a scythe.



The scythe puts a purple aura inside Ashley, with the scythe in her hand, and glowing eyes, she heads to Dr. Seuss who's still holding the book.

Billie Singer uses her microphone to pull Dr. Seuss out of the way, FDR uses his flag to go against Ashley's scythe, the scythe doesn't destroy the scythe instead the flag electrocutes the scythe.



The scythe grows longer, Ashley comes back, but the flag still doesn't break,while Ashley is distracted, Nestle releases a trail of coffee that spreads around Ashley like a lake.



George and Larry throw the trampoline that has a blue aura in it in the coffee trail, Jake reaches into his pocket to find the portal gem, which he throws into the coffee lake.



Ashley looks at the coffee trail to see her sinking, FDR stops fighting, noticed, a microphone wrapped around him, together, Farmboy, Snowberry, Amanda, Jake, Billie Singer, George, Larry, Laslo, and Nestle help pulls him out with the flag.



Up in the sky, Nartia, Emma, and Amabelle have a duel.



Amabelle and Nartia sends a wave of energy to knock Emma down, but instead, it just destroys her scepter, this angers Emma so she sends a wave of lava that destroys all around, Amabelle sees it getting close to the kids, that she puts a force field around them.



Emma smiles, seeing Amabelle still protecting the humans, so she sends a black aura in the shape of a giant sword, hitting against the force field, slowly breaking it.



Amabelle uses the blood of her enemies and turns into a purple aura, the aura forms string that wraps around Emma, Jacob throws his pen in the air like a scepter summoning the lava, sucks it up, and turned into confetti.



Emma notice Ashley disappeared, and notices the portal key.



"I'm not the only one that needs protect someone", Amabelle smirked.

1)DON'T CRY BECAUSE IT'S OVER. SMILE BECAUSE IT HAPPENED. -DR. SEUSS

2)A WARM SMILE IS THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE OF KINDNESS. -WILLIAM ARTHUR WARD

3)A SMILE IS A CURVE THAT SETS EVERYTHING STRAIGHT. -PHYLLIS DILLER

4)ALWAYS KEEP YOUR SMILE. THAT'S HOW I EXPLAIN MY LONG LIFE. -JEANNE CALMENT

5)SMILE, IT'S FREE THERAPY. -DOUGLAS HORTON

6)EVERY SMILE MAKES YOU A DAY YOUNGER. -CHINESE PROVERB

7)WEAR A SMILE AND HAVE FRIENDS; WEAR A SCOWL AND HAVE WRINKLES. -GEORGE ELIOT

8)IF YOU SMILE WHEN NO ONE ELSE IS AROUND, YOU REALLY MEAN IT. -ANDY ROONEY

9)HEY, I'VE GOT NOTHING TO DO TODAY BUT SMILE. -PAUL SIMON

10)YOU'LL FIND THAT LIFE IS STILL WORTHWHILE, IF YOU JUST SMILE. -CHARLIE CHAPLIN

11)I ADD A SMILE TO EVERYTHING I WEAR AND THAT HAS WORKED GREAT FOR ME. -DAVID WHITE

12)IT TAKES A LOT OF ENERGY TO BE NEGATIVE. YOU HAVE TO WORK AT IT. BUT SMILING IS PAINLESS. I'D RATHER SPEND MY ENERGY SMILING. -ERIC DAVIS

13)A SMILE IS HAPPINESS YOU'LL FIND RIGHT UNDER YOUR NOSE. -TOM WILSON

14)I PLAY GUYS WHO NEVER SMILE, AND I NEVER STOP SMILING. -MICHAEL KELLY

15)I HOPE YOU ALWAYS FIND A REASON TO SMILE.

16)JUST KEEP SMILING AND ONE DAY LIFE WILL GET TIRED OF UPSETTING YOU.

17)LIFE IS A CAMERA, SO KEEP SMILING.

18YOUR SMILE LOOKS ADORABLE ON YOU ! YOU SHOULD WEAR IT MORE OFTEN.

19)A SMILE IS THE PRETTIEST THING YOU CAN WEAR.

20)NO MATTER WHAT PEOPLE THINK OF YOU..ALWAYS KEEP SMILING AND WALK AWAY.

"Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You"~Dr. Seuss 

An average person, average grades, average heart. That's me. Your average high schooler. I have a family that consists of two brothers, my Père, and my Mère. I have a cat who I adore more than anything, and a dog who I care slightly less about. 
I have no boyfriend, or girlfriend, but I have the average crush. He doesn't know, and it honestly can stay that way. He's cute, with little acne, and soft looking brown hair. He has a heart kinder than anything in the world. Just once I wish he would notice me. But as I would say, "un coup de cœur, il restera" a crush he shall remain. Not because of me, I would talk to him if I had any courage at all. Let's call him Vœux. If only he was mine. 
My looks? I'm 5'2 3/4" to be exact. I have naturally soft nearly blonde albino blonde hair and grey blue eyes. My skin is extremely tan, but covered in millions of tiny white scars, barely noticeable. Let's say my name is Aimante. I'm in the school's marching band, and before I am asked, I play flag, I am one of the color guard girls. 
My family speaks mostly French at home, and English outside of home. Our immigration took place when I was barely two years old. I prefer the language as it is easier to shape the sounds. This is probably the reason for me only having three friends. I rarely speak at all at school as my accent still lingers and for some reason it is weird to have an accent.

In a simple yet still luxurious study, a green letter was reduced to ashes between a set of long slim fingers. Josh sat on a redwood chair, and swirled the amber wine in the crystal goblet in his hand. His handsome face normally wore a benevolent and refined expression, but it was currently as cold as ice. 
"So you really survived, Alex. But where could you be hiding now? The dragon island? No, those idiots all want to kill you. Twilight Forest? No, countless orcs died by your hands in the battle on the border. There's no way you'd be at the Wind Forest, either. You have enough confidence and insanity, but appearing in the Wind Forest with that half-elf daughter of yours is pretty much asking for death…" His low voice sounded in the room as he fiddled absentmindedly with the papers on his desk.
"If you're not in the Roth Empire, then you're most likely in Chaos City. All races and species live there, so no matter what kind of person appears there, they won't attract too much attention. Alex isn't very bright, but he's very alert. He knows which places are dangerous and which places are safe. However, trying to find someone in Chaos City isn't going to be easy." Josh slowly raised his goblet to his lips, but he suddenly stopped before taking a sip, and smashed the goblet violently into the ground.
Amber wine and glittering crystal shards flew in all directions. Josh's face was twisted with a sinister expression as he clenched his fists, and snarled, "Alex, you'd better not let me find you. Even after so any years, Irina still hasn't forgotten about you. I have to kill you, and that little half-breed too. I was still too naive back then."
"Are you alright, Your Highness?" The butler's anxious voice sounded from outside the door.
Josh's expression immediately smoothed out as he replied, "I'm fine. Tell Seuss to come and see me." 
"Yes," the butler replied. The sound of footsteps hurrying away immediately followed.
Josh pulled out a map from the top shelf of his bookshelf, and spread it open on his table. His brown eyes slowly scanned across the map, and his brows furrowed as if he were thinking about something.
"Your Highness, Seuss is here." After a short while, the butler's voice sounded again.
"Tell him to come in," Josh instructed without even raising his head.
The heavy wooden door opened, and a thin and tall young man with cropped golden hair and wearing a set of black magician robes walked in. There was a red reaper scythe emblazoned on the chest of his robes.
The magic caster appeared to be about 30 years of age, and his face carried a sickly pallor. There was a scar extending from his left eye to his glabella, while his pupils were a rare gray color, making them appear a little like dead fish eyes. His entire body was enveloped in those black magician robes, giving him a cold and sinister aura.
He stepped onto the crystal shards on the ground with his black leather boots, creating a crackling sound, but his expression didn't chance in the slightest. His fervent gaze was fixed on Josh, and he said respectfully, "Seuss pays his respects, Your Highness."
"I want you Asuras to find someone, then kill him." Josh shifted his gaze away from the map on the table.
"Please specify our target, Your Highness." Seuss bowed his head in a respectful manner.
"Mag Alex," Josh replied in a calm voice.
"Alex!" Seuss immediately raised his head, and stared at Josh with shock and incredulity etched on his face. He hesitated momentarily before asking, "Your Highness, isn't Alex already dead? We've been searching for evidence to confirm his death during these past few years, and nothing indicates that he's still alive."
Josh shook his head, and looked at Seuss with a serious expression as he said, "No, he's still alive; someone has already proven that to me. So, you must find him before anyone else does, and kill him. Return to me with his head."
"If Alex is still alive, then I'll be sure to kill him in revenge for what happened last time!" Josh's expression suddenly turned sinister again; the scar on his glabella was like a hideous centipede now.
"Remember, I don't care what happened between the two of you in the past, just find him and kill him. If you fail, then you can put an end to your own life," Josh said in a cold voice.
"Yes!" Seuss hurriedly bowed his head respectfully. Even though he was the youngest 9th-tier magic caster in the kingdom and the leader of the Asuras, he was still struck by a sense of fear and awe when interacting with Josh.
That was not just because he was one of the people in line to the throne. He was more frightened by the fact that Josh was able to bring down Alex when he was at the height of his powers. That man was an extraordinary talent who had once stomped him into the ground.
Back then, they had both advanced to the 9th-tier at the same time, and theirs should've been an evenly matched battle, but it became the biggest disgrace of his life.
One strike—Alex only used one sword strike to defeat him.
If it weren't for the unavoidable sense of impending doom that he was struck by when the sword pierced his glabella, he would have never believed that he couldn't even take a single sword strike from Alex.
From that day, he fell from grace, and became a laughingstock.
After that, Alex continued to rise higher and higher, defeating 10th-tier powerhouses and slaying giant dragons. His rate of progression and overwhelming power placed him well and truly at the pinnacle of the younger generation. Even a supreme prodigy like him could only look on in despair.
Thus, a magic caster that had never skipped lessons went missing at the Magus Tower. At the same time, a new leader was instated among the Asuras, and his reaper scythe harvested one life after another.
"Even though I know he's not dead, I still can't ascertain his location. The likeliest place is Chaos City." Josh pointed at a certain spot on the map on his desk, and said in a dark voice, "Remember, this must remain strictly confidential. No one aside from the Asuras is to hear about this."
Seuss packed up the map on the table, and said respectfully, "Yes, I'll send scouts to Chaos City right away." 
Josh was momentarily silent before continuing, "Also, kill all of his friends and family as well, no matter who they are."
"Yes." A hint of surprise flashed through Seuss' eyes, but he didn't say anything.
"You can go now." Josh sat back down in his chair and closed his eyes.
Seuss lowered his head, and took a couple of steps backward before turning to leave, closing the door to the study behind him.
"Mag Alex, many people will be unable to sleep at night if you're still alive, so you should go and die…" Josh's voice reverberated within the study.
…
On the outskirts of Rodu, there was a black horse-drawn carriage situated outside a large estate.
"Your Highness, this is Simon's estate," Quine said in a low voice. 


In Chaos City on the Norland Continent, there is a strange restaurant.

Here, elves and dwarves share tables. Beastmen are prohibited from making a din, and giant dragons can only seat around the tiny square in front of the restaurant. Even demons have to bring their own stools…

But it is such a strange restaurant that has long lines outside every day.

Elves are stuffing kebabs, paying no mind to their manners; giant dragons are sitting around a hot pot, strainers in their hands; demons are eating nice-looking dango…

"There's no other place on this continent where you can find food like that! The boss here is a genius!" a customer provides such a review. Then, he gives a furtive look at the door. "Also, don't you think of kidnapping the boss away or dine-and-dashing, or you will suffer a tragic death."

"Eat, pay, or you will be beaten to death." says a cute little girl in her childish voice as she trots forward. A five-meter tall dragon shivers when it meets her eyes.

1991 December
 
There was something deeply disturbing about the Weasley residence. Its appearance spoke volumes of its inhabitants. Several stories high, the structure looked like it was the insane love child of Tim Burton and Dr Seuss. What might have once been a humble stone house had been burdened with a ridiculous number of crookedly stacked rooms. Five chimneys sprouted from the roof like weeds and a crooked sign near the entrance read 'The Burrow'.
 
Anxiety prickled Alana's mind as she calculated the probability of the funeral pyre house collapsing on her if she entered. The disgrace to magical architecture stuck out like a sore thumb in the otherwise pleasant scenery. Idly, the young witch wondered what sort of creatures would willingly inhabit such a residence. Clearly, they had to be insane or suicidal.
 
A pair of cackling twins fleeing out the front door assured her that it was an unfortunate mixture of both qualities.
 
"Fred! George! What have I said about pranks in the kitchen! How are you even at home?! You're supposed to be at Hogwarts for Yule!" A distinctly feminine voice shouted loud enough to pierce the veil.
 
There was nothing that could have stopped Alana from shielding her ears with a wince. To her relief, she received no such verbal acknowledgement from the woman. The Weasley miscreants passed her without so much as a glance. Their swift, and dare she say wise, escape was not a second too soon as a short, plump, flaming-haired demoness exited the door with a growl.
 
No really, her hair was literally flaming.
 
Alana was rendered speechless at the deliciously realistic enchanted flames shrouding the woman's hair. She had never seen magical flames of such high quality and was hit with the sudden urge to hunt her down some twins. Whether the exquisite work was the product of potions or spellwork was a mystery, but it was clear that the subject of the magic did not share her appreciation of the art.
 
Mrs Weasley seemed content to fume at her absent sons for a few more minutes before she noticed her guest. Alana was shaken from her thoughts by a fiery, brown gaze that soon settled down to a gentle warmth.
 
"You must be Alana," She exclaimed with sudden joy overtaking her features. "I'm so sorry you had to see that, dear. Those boys! Well, come in! Come in," The mother invited enthusiastically. Alana found herself unable to react as she was hustled into the house of doom.
 
The inside of the home - and it was most definitely a home - was a stark contrast to the outside. Any signs of structural instability vanished and gave way to a welcoming if cluttered family space. As soon as the cultural shock wore off, Alana was overtaken by curiosity. Her eyes flicked with unconcealed interest from object to object. There was much to look at in the living room. An assortment of muggle trinkets filled a weathered cabinet and on one wall hung graduation certificates that must have belonged to the elder Weasley sons now Hogwarts alumnae. A clock depicting not the time but the welfare of each family member took the central stage on the fireplace mantel. It was all very foreign to her.
 
It was also very distracting.
 
Alana finally tore her gaze away from the room and back to the Weasley matriarch. The woman was unsurprisingly observing her strange behaviour. She was, however, surprised to see the mischievously indulgent smile on her ageing features. Alana let a smile of her own flit across her features. She was both pleased and relieved to note that no excessive faux politeness would be required for tea. She already had one concerned mother dissecting her on a semi-regular basis and didn't need a Malfoy and a Weasley against her.
 
"You have a lovely home, Mrs Weasley. I don't think I've ever been seen a place more welcoming."
 
She realised how true the compliment was as the words left her lips.
 
"I'm glad you like it. Make yourself at home, dear. I'll get some tea and biscuits. You must be starving. Honestly, you were more than welcome to use the home floo to get here."
 
"I enjoy a scenic route now and then, and with the area, it was a temptation I couldn't pass up. I'm sorry my guardian couldn't come along for tea, Mrs Weasley, he doesn't much care for socialising. I hope you won't think ill of him for it."
 
"Not at all and please call me Molly. Mrs Weasley just makes me feel old," The woman playfully grinned as she set a tray laden with treats on the table.
 
"As long as you don't call me Miss Vincent," Alana quipped, "It makes me feel as though I'm about to get detention." Molly nodded in understanding.
 
"I can't imagine you get much of that though. You seem a nice enough girl. A Ravenclaw too! Ron has talked about you a fair lot in his letters home, and Minerva has been singing your praises."
 
Alana's eyebrows shot up at the mention of her Transfiguration professor. She was sure the woman was exaggerating. However, the fact that Molly had asked after her, and she had to have because Mrs McGonagall wasn't one to speak of students without cause, was telling.
 
"I'm sure she exaggerated. I enjoy learning but, truth be told, I don't think any student gets out of Hogwarts without at least one detention. With Professor Snape giving them out like candy, it's nearly impossible."
 
"No need to be so modest, dear. It's comforting to know Percy has such a charming girlfriend."
 
Alana would deny any claim that she choked on her tea at the comment. Fortunately for her, there were no witnesses to her slip because a shrill exclamation garnered both female's attention. To his credit, Percy had not fainted in the doorway but instead settled for the appearance of a blobfish. The blood had drained from his face, and he seemed to be gasping for air - or perhaps he was trying to inhale his lost dignity.
 
"Actually, I'm not his girlfriend."
"She's not my girlfriend!"
 
Mrs Weasley looked somewhat at a loss but quickly recollected herself. "Then what-"
 
"Friends, mum! Bloody Merlin, we're just friends! You said you wouldn't make assumptions last time. Can I not breathe next to a girl without you inviting them over for tea?!" Percy's voice reached an impressive level of shrillness before he slumped against the door frame. The action was so unusual to witness that Alana had to stifle an amused laugh. Even after being beaten seventy times in fencing, he had never looked so utterly defeated.
 
How was I supposed to know she wasn't the one you'd been pining over last holidays?! And don't you dare deny it either! I raised you well enough to tell when you're smitten. Hmph!"
 
"I certainly don't have a crush on the person who beats me up every week! Not that it's any of your business who I date anyways! There is a word for what you are doing, mum; it's called stalking. What do I have to do to get some privacy around here?!"
 
"You're dating?" Suddenly, the daggers Mrs Weasley had been glaring at her son turned into love hearts. Percy's groan could be felt on a spiritual level.
 
"That's all you got from that?"
 
1991 December
 
Notification: Quest Progress!
Main Quest: Drink from the skulls of your enemies (8/500)
Request: Chaos and Pain Reward: Wandless Crucio Pack (5/5)
 
"This is wrong on so many levels," Alana muttered. The Notification glinted mockingly as she took a sip of lemonade from another skull goblet. She set the cup down and returned to her perusal of the newest legislation passed through Wizengamot. It wasn't of much concern to her underground following, but it was still prudent to stay informed. Grooming Draco was no walk in the park after all. However, as dedicated to her role as she was, she couldn't read through decades of records herself, so she had left it to her newly acquired Matthews to read through and summarise the rest of the legal documents. It turned out Jake was just as competent in his studies as he'd been in primary, so she had little to fret when it came to finding him work for the holidays.
 
Creation: Capricorn V
Species: Library System
Level: 31
Capable of mind defence, complex thought and processing 19,100 words per hour. New Skill: Legilimency (Active)
 
Creation: Aquarius IV
Species: Inventory System
Level: 38
Capable of storing 34 objects. Summoning cost decrease tripled.
 
Creation: Pisces IV
Species: Healing System
Level: 5
Magic focus increased x2 Dexterity increased x2 Precision increased x2 Cost of summoning decreased.
 
Reading aside, she had several things to take care of during Yule. While the Greengrass ball that evening was of natural concern, it was not the event which occupied her thoughts.
 
She was getting an instructor in the mind arts.
 
It wasn't that she was failing in the form of magic. On the contrary, she was quite capable in the mind arts. Unfortunately, being capable was not enough. She was dealing with information she couldn't risk anyone getting wind off. Sensing mental intrusions may not have been a problem, but blocking a competent wizard was another story, and she had seen plenty of those as of late. Thus, she required a tutor.
 
Proficiency in the mind arts was not something people advertised. Most would not even speak of the topic outside of family discussions. It wasn't an open magical practice and was generally taught by a parent to their child. The main factors in this decision being the level of trust required to let someone frolic through your mind and secondly, the heavily debated ethicality of the magic itself and certain negative associations of the skill. It was a system that had long left muggle-borns at a disadvantage in the magical world. None of these facts was something she would let deter her.
 
That Lilith knew her way around wizarding society was no secret. Therefore, it was no surprise that the witch was more than able to lend Alana a hand in her search, for the right price. Two people died that day. Eventually, the shortlist had been narrowed down to one candidate. She was an Iranian woman with credentials from the Persepolis University of Magical Studies. It was a well-reputed institution with a long history of producing competent students. It gave her some confidence in the woman's abilities.
 
A meeting was set quickly and several binding documents laid out in Alana's fine penmanship for the occasion. The contracts were strict, fatally so. One which insured confidentiality had many similarities to the oaths taken by healers, but even then, the consequences were far direr. Sara Rostami was predictably thorough in reading the agreements before signing them. Alana was also quick to learn the woman was a formidable teacher. Indeed, Miss Rostami was unfailingly polite with a stern countenance that spoke volumes of her work ethic. Two lessons in, Alana had been given a new exercise called rattling which, as the name suggested, involved 'rattling' or shaking someone's train of thoughts enough to discomfit them. It was entertaining, dangerous, but ultimately entertaining. The muggles she practised on probably wouldn't agree with her.
 
1991 December
 
The Greengrass Ball was easily the quietest event of her Yule break. Without the company of Draco, she wasn't expected to stay the entire duration of the event, so she was able to leave early without offending her hosts at all. Lord and Lady Greengrass were astute political players. Anyone could tell from the united front they set in Wizengamot with each taking control of one of their two house seats. To call them a power couple would be a vast understatement. She had met them at the Malfoy's ball of course, but that was little preparation to meet them within their own domain. Lady Greengrass's gown paid homage to the goddess Athena in all her strategic glory. Meanwhile, her husband drew inspiration from Ares, her counterpart in war, representing its more physical aspects. Alana had poetically opted woven symbols of Persephone into her chiton's design. According to myth, the Greek goddess of spring and rebirth was stolen by Hades of the underworld to be his wife. While Hades was not Death, the similarities were still rather uncanny.
 
The two heads of the Malfoy family were predictably present and no less extravagant than usual with their Eros and Psyche interpretation. The magically conjured wings adorning their backs were intricately designed to mirror a dragonfly for the Lady and doves for the Lord. If anyone had entertained the thought of dissecting Alana at the Greengrass ball, they were sorely disappointed when Lord Malfoy greeted her with silent approval that spoke louder than anything he might have vocalised. Lady Malfoy was more reserved, but that was to be expected. Alana was free to wander and eavesdrop with little to hinder her. Few were inclined to invite a child into their circle of conversation, but she made do. Daphne Greengrass was present with her younger sibling, Astoria, and more than willing to engage in a verbal tennis match without Draco there to interrupt either of them. Alana rather enjoyed it, and the pleased glint in the eyes of both young Greengrass' assured her the feeling was mutual.

With a gift bringing hope, comfort and relief, it was only fitting that Gaia bestow a curse of equal measure. A child to reap what it could not. A child born of death's greed and life's carelessness. Fate was rewritten then with the dignified scrawl of an unknown deity. Screaming and kicking at the divine injustice of it all, a new life was born into the world. Out of the frenzied passions of a drunkard and a drug addict from the shadowed back streets of London came Alana Hales. Out of the tattered folds of deaths cloak came the worn soul of one Alexis Crevan. 

I don't own Harry Potter, The Gamer, the Labyrinth, or any of their characters. If I did, I would be rich.

Artistic God: a term used by some to describe the feelings of making art. Also used religiously to describe God during the seven days of creation. 

*
The garden shed at school was very stuffy. When I ventured inside, I was too hot in my jacket. Aside from the thin line outlining the shed door, the only light was an orange-yellow globe dangling at head height from the ceiling. All the art clutter was coated in the warm colour, making the room appear on fire. 
The sweet sound of violins and cellos bounced around the room, the volume low but the bass so loud I watched the water in glass jars vibrate as I passed them. Approaching the desk, I saw a large black stereo sitting on the very edge of the wood with bright green letters displaying 'Pompeii-Bastille' with a volume of 30. The moment I saw it I panicked that the base levels would cause it to topple off the desk, but Alexis, whose elbow was dangerously close to doing that anyway, didn't seem concerned as she ran her fingertips over some books. 
"Afternoon, Alexis," I greeted placing my back on the worktable behind her. I watched her hand run along her desk until it met the stereo and turned a dial, taking the volume from 30 to 12. 
"Hello, Landon." She turned in her chair, her gaze fixed at chest level as she faced me. "Much happen today?"
I shook my head, "Nope. Normal day." The second week of school meant a solid routine, assessment calendars, outlines, expectations and homework had now officially been understood and formalised for students and faculty. 
"Describe it to me anyway," Alexis replied, "Your normal may be different from mine." She leant on her legs and dropped her unfocused eyes to the floor, tilting her head so an ear faced me. When I started explaining my first class, English, she interrupted me, "Ba-ba-ba-ba!" She held a finger up at me to hush, "Try again. This time describe it to me." 
I scoffed, "Seriously? You're going all The Book Thief on me?"
She exaggerated an offended gesture, "And what's wrong with The Book Thief?"
I started unzipping my bag to take out my English book and my toll for entering the garden shed. "Some things only work in literature. In real life, it's just weird." 
She offered a half-smile. "Imagine that? Words and descriptions weird." She absently brushed aside her red hair, "You're talking to a blind girl, Landon. Words and descriptions and life are all I can see." She leaned back on her stool, resting her elbows on the desk. "So, humour me. I promise I won't laugh if your descriptions get weird."
I bit the inside of my cheek, every fibre of my being trying not to chuckle, but Alexis patiently waited. "Okay. Umm…" I clicked my tongue as I searched the room for inspiration. I found many trinkets but nothing relevant. "When I woke up it was cold, so cold it was hard to get out of bed and even harder to get changed into my uniform. Despite this, throughout the day it got warm, so wearing a jacket may have been a mistake," I attempted, "I had lost my tie over the weekend, so there was a bit of panic looking for that. I had checked under my bed, in my closet, my bag, but I couldn't find it. I then realised Mia, for some reason, had taken it when I went down for breakfast." 
Alexis cracked a smile as I continued. "We had orange juice and waffles that Robyn made."
"What did they taste like?" she asked. 
"Like orange juice and waffles…?" 
She scoffed, "Anything Robyn makes doesn't just taste like orange juice and waffles."
Alexis was correct. Robyn had been experimenting with freshly squeezed orange juice, overall, I had no clue what she ended up putting in it. It tasted tangy and bitter but had a sweet aftertaste in the back of my throat. She burnt the first batch of waffles forcing everyone to push open windows, hallway doors and backdoors to get rid of the smell. It was like someone had burnt ice-cream cones. Despite this, everyone ate in silence, no one commenting on the culinary skills of Robyn. 
I started describing my English class again. I sat between Sheldon Manly and Wendy Brown, meaning outside of the whiteboard marker stink I got Sheldon's BO stench and Wendy's contrasting strawberry scent from whatever shampoo she had used that morning. When Mr Ratcliffe spoke, he sounded very sure and focused, then out of nowhere would go on a tangent about how chatty his neighbour was that morning. "Apparently when he drove away for work, she was still talking to him." 
Alexis smiled. "Were you in the room with that faulty ceiling fan?" she asked, "The one that makes a weird rhythmic click that drives everyone crazy?"
I nodded, "Yes! Everyone else ignores it, but I have no idea how!"
She burst out into laughter, leaning over and holding her stomach. Just as sudden as her laughter was, it disappeared when she sat upright and sniffed the air. "Monster Munchies?" 
I widened my eyes as I searched my bag for the bag of chips. It was in a concealed, airtight packet, how could Alexis smell it? When I found it, I realised the bag itself had popped, and even I could smell it. "Yep. Extra points if you can guess the flavour?"
Alexis hummed as she clasped her hands together and rested her thumbs against her front teeth. "I'm gonna say… BBQ." 
"Close. Combination flavour; honey and BBQ." The Monster Munchie packet had a giant purple monster with four pointed teeth and wild red eyes. 
Alexis grimaced, "Does that even go together?"
"It must," I stated crinkling the packet as I passed it to her to try. She took out one of the chips and made a loud audible crunch.
"Interesting flavour choice," she confessed as she took another one. I quickly realised she made the loud crunching noise deliberately. "You said you put on a jacket," she said between mouthfuls, "But I reckon it's quite warm." 
"It was colder this morning. It's only warm in here," I commented. The air was thick with paint, metal and pencils, and now Monster Munchies. "The air is cold at the moment, but the sun is nice." Alexis hummed at this as she turned back in her chair, going back to running her fingertips over her book. "What're you doing?"
"Reading." 
"Is that easy to do? Reading braille, I mean," I asked. I had always been curious about braille verses regular reading, whether one was quicker than the other.
"I don't know any better," Alexis replied, her tone sounded like she had heard this question before. "I find the idea of reading with my eyes an enormous headache." When she spoke, her hands stopped running over the pages, when she finished they continued running lightly over lines. "I do reminisce in my visual reading though," she added, "Granted that was fourteen years ago, but I remember Dr Seuss books having colourful pictures and funny fonts." 
"Those books were gold," I announced. 
"They still are," Alexis replied. 
Minutes later, the shed had the overpowering smell of Monster Munchies. "Okay, come on, we're going outside." I stood up and started packing up my books. 
Alexis made a growling sound. "No."
"Yes. Come on." I stood up and took her hand. She allowed me to pull her arm up, but her butt and body stayed on the stool and against her desk. "It's nicer outside," I informed. 
"I'm an Irish descendant and a potential vampire, Landon. Designed for snowy climates and darkness, not sunlight and fresh air." She threw her head back, dramatically throwing her hair against her desk. 
"You're not doing anything," I said, "You're sitting in the dark reading…" I looked at the front cover of her blue hardback, "The Memoir of a Maestro. You can do that outside." 
She groaned, "No I can't." 
I picked up the book before she could snatch it away, soon I was out of her reach, and she had to stand. "Are you seriously holding my book hostage?" she asked. 
"Yes." 
She furrowed her eyebrows as she reached aimlessly for something nearby. There was a string hanging from the ceiling by her desk. When she touched it, it pushed away, but she managed to get a hold of it and pulled it down, sending the room into darkness. It was incredible how dark the shed became, nothing gave off a shadow or an outline aside from the doorframe, so I made my way towards it. But a sharp pain struck my hip as I walked into the corner of the worktable. Moments after my yelp, Alexis grabbed my shoulders from behind and ran her hands down my arm to my hands, the touch stunning me as she took the book from my hands. "No one can compete with me on the same field." 
In the dark, I spoke to her, "It's not healthy to stay in complete darkness." 
I felt Alexis' hand rest against my chest, against her hand I could feel my heartbeat rebounding. "People think my whole life is in darkness," she replied, "But I'd argue it's much more colourful than yours."
I snorted a laugh, "I don't doubt that. But it's starting to reek a honey BBQ catastrophe in here." I grabbed her hand on my chest and tugged her half-heartedly. "I'm heading outside. You're welcome to come with me." 
*
The sun was a nice contrast to the refreshingly cool breeze as we sat on one of the higher hills in the school. Slightly off centre to the hill was a tall tree with a long maze of branches that cast shade over two-thirds of the hilltop. I had to be careful where I placed my books because of the dewy grass caused by the shadow of the tree. I sat down on the edge of the shade, so my back was to the sun while Alexis crouched down to the ground, running her hands through the short grass, noticing herself the wet patch and dry patch. She sat down in the sun and placed her papers and books in her lap. 
She stared, unblinkingly, down the hill, could she see she would've witnessed the drills of the soccer players as they ran back and forth across their fields. Alexis lifted her chin to the sky and closed her eyes, soaking in the sun like a sunflower. Such a peaceful image I almost wanted to photograph. 
She made an irritated sigh and produced some thick-lensed sunglasses. "Outside smells funny this afternoon," she said. 
"Why? What smells?" I asked. I found it strange that Alexis could smell things I couldn't detect when we were outside, first the crisps in my bag, but what else? 
"The tree smells damp," she stated as she ran her hands over some of the pages in her book, looking for a previously marked page. "On the way over here, I could smell leaves and mud, and from all the way down there I can smell the soccer boys." She found the page she was after. "It's also headache inducingly loud out here." 
I tilted my head at this, noting the barely audible yells of the boys on the field and the occasional bird or rustle of leaves. "Seems peaceful," I commented. 
"Your sight drowns it out," Alexis informed, "But everything to me gives off colours and vibrations if I stare at it too long." 
"Is it too uncomfortable?" I asked. 
"I'll live," she replied, her eyes resting at a point in the grass. "After all, my time also seems to be your time. You should be able to pick where we dwell." The more she spoke, the more light-hearted she became. "I imagine a Landon needs at least half an hour of sunlight daily."
"You didn't have to follow me out," I countered. Meters from the shed, Alexis trailed behind me and grabbed the sleeve of my shirt to follow me. Alexis grinned as she continued reading her book, shifting in discomfort from the grass against her legs every couple of moments. "Are you okay with me hanging out with you in the afternoons?"
"Tis fine. Some company is always nice." She stopped her fingertip trails, "I'm more curious why you feel the need to, Dorm Guard. Scholarship duties?" 
I rolled my eyes at the title but considered it. My scholarship was sports based, which I intended to attempt to fulfil later, and duty based. I had yet to see Alexis leave the shed and had a weird sense of urgency with her, not as if she was helpless, but I wanted to see with my own eyes she was okay. Was this part of my duties? "Why do you hang out with me, Landon?" Alexis asked bluntly, "We've had no prior relationships before you came to this school and you found me in a shed and gave me a sandwich."
I shrugged. "Maybe I just enjoy your company," I assured. Alexis seemed to consider this, before returning to her book. "So… you're a scholarship kid too," I said. 
"Nothing gets past you." 
"Do you have a duty to fulfil then?"
"All scholarship students have duties to fulfil," Alexis informed, "They don't give general scholarships anymore. Only specific ones." 
"What're your duties then?" I asked. 
She ran her hands over her books and papers, eventually leafing through a small pile. Some had lines and lines of brail, while others plastered with bright advertisements for parties or products. With little indication as to why, she pulled one paper out and confidently handed it to me. It was a small pamphlet advertising 'True You – The Art of Identity' Art Show. It featured a photo-realistic painting of a Muslim girl, with a dour expression, surrounded by bright colours in the form of flowers, flags and birds. 
"To oversimplify, I'm expected to win or get top ten per cent in stuff like that," she informed. "My Art Scholarship automatically enrols me in most competitions that involve most art mediums."
"Like sculpture and paints and stuff?" I asked. 
She nodded, "Yep. I once made a tapestry for one of the competitions. I think I came… fourth overall."
"Out of?"
She shrugged, "It was a state-wide competition." She lifted the book she was reading to show me a black covered painting sketchbook. "You can have a look if you want." She held her small book out to me. 
The book weighed more than I anticipated and was overflowing with different types of paper and fabrics. Alexis waited in silence, listening to me turn the pages. She liked bright colours and surreal images of realistic things. Any mini-portraits of people were coloured in oranges, reds, pinks, and blues and were distinct enough for me to see the ridge of a nose, a sparkle for the eyes and the streaks for limbs, but they all lacked a specific sense of realism. Some figures dressed in different textures, women covered in stiff feathers or crunchy Autumn leaves, and men in materials to shape suits or the occasional hat. 
Aside from people, Alexis liked nature. There were countless sketches of large willow trees and oaks, pencil drawings of lily pads and cool water details. My favourite was a page of black, with grey and white specs swirled or left alone to make a galaxy appearance. When I ran my fingertips over the centre of the black hole I felt the rough texture of sparkles, giving the image another layer of unexpected beauty. 
"These are good," I said, "I wish I could do stuff like this." 
"Nothing's stopping you. It's practise and passion." She took back her book and ran her hands over the sparkly galaxy. "A lot of people think I cheat with how often I win things or come close to winning things. But I don't make anything unless I have something to say," she informed, "There's nothing worse than a forced piece of art." 
Alexis started turning the pages herself, in a passing glance I saw some figures that were strangely familiar. "Was that Bonnie?" I asked. 
She stopped flicking and went back to the page I was talking about; it was a faceless girl with black hair sitting in a silver wheelchair mid-push. On the same page in the top corner was a little bundle of a person, also faceless and featureless, with almost white blonde hair holding something I couldn't quite identify. 
"A lot of this book has the girls and Amada in it in one way or another," Alexis informed, "They're honestly a unique group." 
I reached forward and looked at the next few pages. "Did you hear about what happened over the weekend?"
"With Estelle? Yeah, she told me about that," Alexis brushed aside some hair that dangled over her face. "I feel bad for her, but if I had an allergy that bad, I'd check sweets before I stuff my gob with them. Live and learn I guess." 
One page dedicated to Amada and Amia, the same pose, same posture, same hair, but different clothes and different backgrounds. One a soft purple with straight lined symbols painted dark purple, while the other was light blue with darker blue circles and curves. "You seem to understand these guys better than each other. How much do you know about them?" I asked. The next page focused on Estelle, at least from one perspective. Estelle's features, while undefined, were split in half, one side appearing happy and bright, while the opposite seemed sombre and flat. 
"Virtually everything." 
As I looked at Estelle's picture, I found this jarring. "Why?"
"They're fascinating muses," she informed, "Socially awkward, high-class, emotional, real muses." 
The next page I couldn't guess who it was. "Who's this?" I asked. 
"Please describe," Alexis requested. 
I snorted at myself. "Sorry. Um, a figure in the middle of the page wearing a tutu with orange lightning and yellowish lines?" 
"Oh, that's Robyn." 
I blinked. "I don't understand the symbolism of this one," I admitted. Robyn seemed quiet and absent, very inward, this suggested she was ecstatic and loud. 
"Robyn is a ballet dancer," Alexis informed, "An elegant practice, but she also loves feeling the base of the heavy rock."
I scoffed, "Robyn? The adorable daydreamer, gift maker and amateur chef?"
Alexis nodded, "Yep. She goes to proper ballet lessons on Thursdays and Sundays, and when she thinks she's alone, she'll blast the stereo with Metal to lie on the floorboards by the amp." 
I laughed in disbelief, but Alexis wasn't joking. On the next page, I expected to see Ava, but the page was a small figure in the centre of white, no details, no symbols or colours, just a lonely figure sitting in the centre of a white page. "Don't you know Ava very well?"
Alexis offered a smirk, but it was almost sad. "I know her the most out of everyone." She closed the book and sighed, "She's very dedicated to other people. The only aspect of her personality I'm aware of isn't something I'm willing to show when she tries so hard to hide it." 
"She tries to hide everything about her real self?" I asked. 
"Not everything. That work is an extreme representation of it," Alexis informed, "In some ways, art overstates certain quirks of a person, and makes ones that don't even exist." 
"Don't you have to do that though? Not everyone knows who you're painting," I said.
Alexis nodded, "Yep. The power of the subjective. I can make a person with a paint stroke." She puffed out her cheeks before closing her book and lying down on the grass. "Their whims behind shading, their beliefs behind posture, their history behind scars," as she spoke her hands clasped the artbook on her stomach. She sighed again. "The power of an artistic God." 
"Is that how you see yourself?" I asked, "An art God?" 
"Everyone has the potential to be their own God of their own little universe. Some decide to keep it to themselves." A small breeze rustled over us, causing the tree branches to creak. "Tesla saw a world where cars replaced horses and people could talk without being in the same room. Leonardo Da Vinci saw a world where humans flew with nothing but fabric and wood. Archimedes even saw a world dominated by numbers and principles through the eyes of a maths, where the world existed amongst the stars and heat could be harnessed to burn holes through sails." 
"You're starting to lose me," I confessed. Something was mesmerising about how Alexis spoke, the layback passion she had that I couldn't quite grasp, but it was fascinating. 
"Don't worry. I was rambling." With that, she fell silent, her philosophy disappearing with her.

Dorm Guard: the man or woman dedicated to the protection/guardship within a dorm. 
*
Landon Becks is a sports scholarship student at White Winter Prep, with only one duty: guard the students in his dorm. 
This duty is more easily said than done, because High School is not always kind to disabled students, and none of the students in his dorm fit the criteria of ordinary. With a blind artist, a deaf dancer and her translator, a self-proclaimed Princess of Pastries, a stubborn paraplegic girl, a mute prodigy and son and daughter of a potential mobster, it's not long before he realises it's not just inside the school he must protect his dormmates from. 


A story of High School drama, suspense, romance and family. 

Am aware the grammar isn't brilliant, would just love an opinion on the story and characters.

~ Los Angeles, White corp. HQ ~
Wednesday, 9:19 AM
JoAnna is in the elevator, descending from Jeff's office to tenth floor. She smiled at the mental image of Jeff's pouty face when she told him that she wants to go to her new workplace by herself. As the boss of everything here, Jeff is too flashy and if he joins her all eyes will be on him, and JoAnna wants to do this her way.
JoAnna is mentally preparing herself for her first day at her job: 'Chief Researcher in the Medical Department of White corp.' A long title, but she likes it.
To reach her new office, JoAnna needs to take the skybridge from the tenth floor of White corp. HQ which connects to the building in the back. That building is not visible from the street and it hosts department for medical research and few other departments related to the research of new products. The building has seven levels underground and stringent security measures.
JoAnna's first day was supposed to be Monday, but because of all the mess with Sarah and Aiden, it was postponed. Since situation at the LA Medical Center is stable, JoAnna decided to show up to work today.
JoAnna knows that Sarah planned today to go out. Either to scout the area or to act against Evalina. JoAnna hopes that Sarah stays safe, but she knows that Sarah is craving for revenge.
Aiden is under Emma's care while Ade and Zula are keeping watch in front of the VIP room.
Back to present…
JoAnna is approaching a reception area. One receptionist is there.
"Excuse me…", JoAnna said to get her attention. "I am here to see director Scott."
Receptionist lazily lifted her gaze and looked at JoAnna. "Name?"
"Dr. Hill" JoAnna ignored unfriendliness of the receptionist. "I am here for my first day at work."
Receptionist gestured toward the sitting area on the side and made a call.
Few minutes later, a spectacled woman in late fifties emerged from the side hallway in a hurry. "Dr. Hill…", she extended her hand for a handshake. "Nice to meet you in person. I am Katelyn Scott, director of the department for medical research. You can call me Katelyn, or Kate."
"Thank you.", JoAnna smiled. "I apologize for the delay. I know that I was supposed to come on Monday. I had a family emergency."
"Not a problem, not a problem.", Kate waved her hands.
Kate knows that JoAnna is CEO White's wife. Few weeks back she got a call from CEO White to come to his office and he informed her that his wife will join the medical research department. At first, Kate thought that JoAnna will take over her position, and she was surprised (and relieved) to hear that a new role was created for JoAnna with a title: Chief Researcher.
Kate is aware that she can't offend JoAnna or tell her what to do… and she needs to play nice.
Kate showed her best smile while walking with JoAnna down the hallway. "If you need anything, please let me know. It's my honor to assist Mrs. White…"
"Please…", JoAnna interrupted her. "Can you call me Dr. Hill? I will call you director Scott."
JoAnna saw that Kate is confused, so she explained: "I'm concerned that if others know that I'm Mrs. White they might look at me differently. I want them to be relaxed and work as usually. Is that OK?"
"Sure, sure…", Kate accepted right away. "Whatever you say… Dr. Hill."
JoAnna noticed Kate's reluctance. "CEO mentioned this, correct?"
Kate paused. "Yes, he did. Don't worry, others only know that a new researcher is joining. I didn't tell them more than that."
Kate showed JoAnna her new office. Nothing too impressive. Well, realistically, the office is large, and it has a sitting area, massive desk and a private bathroom, but it's underground so there is no view and it can't be compared to Jeff's office in terms of size or furniture. But JoAnna does not mind, she is more interested in the lab area where real hands-on work is done.
Medical lab area is on one floors, different research is done in areas separated by a glass with a goal to lower the risk of contamination. Research areas are filled with various devices and in few spots computers are available. Each person present has a tablet either in their hands or next to them.
Kate called to get everyone's attention. About dozen people turned to face her.
"This is Dr. Hill. She is joining our department as a chief researcher. I hope you all join me in welcoming her and helping her settle down and start work as soon as possible." Kate told people and then turned to JoAnna. "Dr. Hill, please feel free to look around. I prepared for you backgrounds of every person in this department. When you review it, you can let me know who do you want to work as your assistant."
One man in his mid-forties entered the lab and everyone looked at him.
Kate cleared her throat. "This is Dr. Frederick Arthur. He is a senior researcher who is focusing on DNA research."
Dr. Arthur paused at Kate's introduction. "Nice to meet you.", he smiled at JoAnna.
JoAnna nodded. "Same here, Dr. Arthur. I am Dr. Hill, and I am interested in DNA research."
Kate looked at the time and made a face for a moment. She spoke to Dr. Arthur: "Fred, I hope you can help Dr. Hill get to know everyone. I need to go to a meeting." She looked at JoAnna. "I will be back in an hour, if you need anything you can find me then."
"You are the new researcher? Are you an intern?", Dr. Arthur asked. He can see that JoAnna is young, and her age can be compared with three people, all interns. Everyone else is visibly older than she is.
One woman snorted. "Intern? Kate introduced her as chief researcher."
Dr. Arthur frowned. "Beatriz, please." He turned to JoAnna. "I apologize for my wrong assumption. It's just that you look young to be anything other than intern."
JoAnna smiled. "I will take that as a compliment."
Dr. Arthur took the role of a host and introduced JoAnna to everyone while mentioning focus of the research people are working on.
JoAnna found out that other than Dr. Arthur, Beatriz and intern named Lewis are doing DNA related research.
With all the introductions and discussions, JoAnna didn't realize that it's lunch time.
"Do you want to join us for lunch?", Dr. Arthur offered JoAnna.
"Uhm… no, thank you. I made plans for today. Maybe next time.", JoAnna smiled and left swiftly. She is going to have her lunch with Jeff. Perks of working at the same place! And if she is late, he might come and get her.
Dr. Arthur, Beatriz, Lewis and three more researchers headed for lunch.
"Hmph! What do you think, with whom did she sleep to get this job?", Beatriz grumbled.
"Beatriz…", Dr. Arthur warned her. "Watch your words. You don't know who is listening."
"Fred! Why are you defending her?", Beatriz was unable to hide her displeasure. "If anyone deserves a position of a chief researcher, that is you. She is too young, and her background is shady. Dr. Hill was able to get that position only because of some powerful backing."
Dr. Arthur shoot her a side look. "That is more of a reason for you to keep your complaints to yourself."
…
Up in the CEO's office…
"Hey, how was your first day?", Jeff asked JoAnna as soon as she got in.
JoAnna squinted. "It was only two hours… but it was good."
"Are people treating you well, or do I need to fire someone?"
JoAnna laughed. "Why do I need you for that? I can fire people myself."
Jeff pouted in protest.
She kissed him and sucked his pouted lip for few seconds before responding to his question: "People are OK. Few of them are giving me strange vibes, but as long as it does not interfere with my work, I don't care."
JoAnna remembered. "Any news from Sarah?"
Jeff confirmed. "Evalina is in our safe house in Pasadena. My men are watching her. Sarah should be back in the hospital by now."
---
If you are not reading this at 'W e b n o v e l . c o m', then the content you're reading is stolen! Please support the author by reading this novel from the original source.


18+ content!

This is a story of three Hill sisters who are navigating through challenges while they uncover the complicated story behind their maternal side of the family. And their father is not a simple man either.

Sarah is an introvert who does not want to attract attention. Other than mad coding skills, Sarah knows how to throw a punch. She believes that her biggest problem is the existence of a hacker Omega and her world flips when the most popular guy on campus approaches her. What does he want? Why her? (Ah, Sarah, that is only the beginning.) 

JoAnna easily makes friends with her bubbly personality. Some call her a mad scientist, but she prefers ‘Dr. Hill’, because that is what she is. JoAnna is an excellent markswoman who can snipe out any target and she is wondering if her prince charming will ever come.

Sophia is the voice of reason, their pillar of support. She is a confident CEO who knows how to get what she wants. Sophia’s degree in law combined with amazing capabilities to analyze situation and plan ahead make her the perfect strategist (to achieve a goal without ending up in jail). 

Every sister is different, and so are their relationships. 

They all have in common: trust and belief that if they work together, anything is possible.


***SPOILER? - START *** 
Story starts with a focus on the youngest sister (Sarah). 
After about 100 chapters, the oldest sister (Sophia) gets in the romantic spotlight. 
JoAnna finds herself pulled into romance last, at about 200 chapter mark. 
***SPOILER? - END ***



"Do you believe in destiny?", Sarah broke the silence. 
"Destiny?" Aiden didn't expect such a question. 
"Yes. The thing that is meant to happen, and there is nothing you can do to prevent it. And when it does happen, everything feels right." 
"Why would you ask me such a thing?" 
"Until few weeks ago I would say that there is no such thing as destiny. That we are all masters of our lives and that everything depends on our actions, or lack of it. But I can't help but wonder: why did I not push you away? ... Why does it feel like everything will be OK as long as we are together? ... You are a piece of me that I never knew was missing. Is this destiny?" 
"Mmm... if that is destiny, then I approve it.", Aiden lightly kissed Sarah's shoulder and rested his chin on it. 

---
1st WARNING!!!
Contains description of sexual scenes. If you are not comfortable with that, don’t read it!
---
2nd WARNING!!!
This is my first novel! :)
---

*****
I own the cover.
*****

Check out my second novel: 'Accident Prone'

As Raymond was about to open his mouth and give his self-introduction, he looked at Miss Interpretation's pretty face, and something felt very wrong. Very very wrong. So wrong that Raymond's mouth was sealed shut and anxiety encompassed him. He felt a burning feeling in his chest that tried to constrain his every action. It was as if there was a war going on inside his body.

His heart started beating so fast he felt as if he was one heartbeat away from a heart attack.

He sweat profusely all over his body.

The top half of his body was completely petrified like a rabbit that had just seen a fox.

His legs locked together and shook violently.

He pointed his head down to avoid eye contact.

Raymond wondered why he felt this way, and he soon figured out why. It was because he had come to an epiphany. The epiphany that in order to get girls to fall for him he had to actually talk to them. Now of course, Raymond knew he had to talk to girls to get them to love him, but he didn't think he had to actually talk to them. He thought he would just have to say a few sentences here and there and show off his kind personality. Maybe he'd do a girl a favor. Then a girl would find him cute and she'd be his. But now he had to have a serious conversation with a girl, and the fact that he unexpectedly just had to have one now made him realize that he was going to have to do this a couple more times before a girl fell for him.

(If this conversation came so unexpectedly, then that must mean I need to be prepared to give more conversations like this one. Conversations that will undoubtedly happen considering they can happen anywhere, anytime.)

And these kinds of conversations posed a massive problem. Why? Because aside from that one incident in 8th grade, Raymond had been an incredibly socially anxious and inept loser his entire life. In fact, in that moment he believed that there wasn't a single person in his state of California that had as bad interpersonal skills as him. And Raymond's social issues multiplied exponentially when it came to talking to people he was attracted to.

Whenever he had tried to talk to people, he had always felt painful burning sensations that felt like they were trying to constrain every muscle in his body, and because of it he would either not talk, or talk improperly. This would cause him to fail to interact with "normies" (what Raymond liked to refer to "normal people" as), and have to make what little friends he could with the "weirdos" in his area. Chatting it up with weirdos of course just means that he was never able to talk to normies. Because he couldn't talk to normies, he tried to avoid them. Since he avoided them he either didn't interact with anyone or had to talk to weirdos. Because he didn't talk to normies, he grew to dislike being around them. And because of that, he tried to avoid them. And this downward spiral feedback loop continued and still continues to go on and on. And up until now Raymond felt that all because he now had something resembling a plan, he could easily get out of that loop, and not just get a friend, but a girlfriend. But of course, things aren't all that simple. All because you have a plan doesn't in any way mean it's going to succeed. He had to seriously talk to a girl, something that made him anxious, and even if he could suppress his nerves, he'd been a nerdy antisocial talentless loser his entire life and had nothing good to say about himself.

(I thought they gave up on these "bully the awkward kid" bullshit rituals back in middle school, but it seems like I'll never escape these things.)

Raymond knew he couldn't just sit there and had to think of something to say. Raymond began to think of a plan to overcome his fear of speaking to Miss Interpretation.

(Okay, I'll start my self-introduction on the count of five.

One...

Two...

Three...

Four...

Five...

Six...

Seven…

Eight...

Wait, I counted past Five!)

Now having failed his own defense mechanism, Raymond began to panic.

(Mayday Mayday!

This ship is about to crash.

Everyone get into the lifeboats as fast as possible.

Oh no it's too late!

AHHHHHHHH!)

And that was when Raymond was hit with a second epiphany.

(My Plan isn't 'How to Cure a Single Boyfriend', it's 'How to Fix a Moronic Incel)

He began to wonder what sick god looked at his life resume filled monkey spanking and Sonic the Hedgehog playing. A resume where there would be a section titled "Previous Sexual Experience" and all there would be in that section are the words, "Be sure to write something here before you submit!". And after that sick god looked at his life resume he said, "Oh yea, I'm sure THAT guy would make a great romance protagonist!"

But then Raymond realized that the "sick god" was himself. He was the one that decided he would try to get a girlfriend.

Though there was no reason talking to her should have been this hard. Raymond started pondering about his current situation.

(Wait, there's no way I'd be this anxious if this happened a year ago, and I'm not even doing any serious romance protagonist kind of stuff. How is it possible that I'm feeling this way? Sure I'm talking to the woman I've already shipped myself with, and my social anxiety has always been terrible, but there's no reason it should be this bad. What could have happened between my high school graduation and now that caused me to become such a little bitch?)

And that's when Raymond came to his third epiphany.

(God dammit, I must have spanked my monkey so hard I've become retarded!)

…

(Well actually, the reason I feel this way might have something to do with the lonely summer months leading up to this day.)

At this point, Raymond and Miss Interpretation had been sitting in awkward silence for about ten seconds. With his anxiety starting to decreased a little from the passing of time, Raymond thought up another plan to get himself to give a self-introduction. Raymond decided that he didn't have to be truthful, and could just say whatever was sitting at the bottom of his mind. His introduction didn't even have to be fully conscious. If what he said was more or less just his stream of consciousness, he could talk without battling his nerves too much. He just had to fill the air with his words. Of course he would have to filter out his dirty thoughts in order for his plan to work. So in other words, he could only speak 10% of his mind.

Raymond took a deep breath and started talking, "H-hello m-my name i-is Raymond Mcgregory. I l-live in California. I own a dog. I love my dog. I pet my dog every day. I want to work as a zoo keeper and I like to eat shiitake mushrooms. Heh heh heh heh"

Raymond realised that there was so much wrong with what he had just said. First, it was obvious he lived in California. If not, how the hell was he attending his school? Second, he spent half of his introduction talking about his dog. And third, he didn't even own a dog.

Raymond wanted to speak up and correct himself, but just as he was about to open his mouth Miss Interpretation responded to Raymond in a soft monotone voice, 

"....Okay."

Raymond's heart pulsated violently.

(HOLY FUCKING SHIT!!! SHE ACTUALLY TALKED TO ME! HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN SINCE I HAD A NORMAL CONVERSATION WITH A GIRL MY AGE? AND SHE DIDN'T EVEN OSTRACIZE ME FOR WHAT I SAID! I'M SO HAPPY! THIS CALLS FOR A SPECIAL CELEBRATION!!!)

...

(Actually, should I be worried that I just considered that to be a "normal conversation"?)

Now that Raymond had gone through hell and back and returned relatively unscathed, he felt very relieved. In fact, Raymond was so relieved that when Miss Interpretation gave her self-introduction, he just sat there thinking about how relieved he was and didn't listen to a single word she said. After Miss Interpretation was done speaking, class resumed and the teacher took up nearly the next two hours of class talking about some stupid trite like "the benefits of getting a good night's sleep!"

Towards the end of the class Raymond heard something that really got his attention.

"On the first day of week three there will be a little group project due. You and the same partner you gave your class introduction to will be in a two person group and the two of you will blah blah blah blah blah blah."

The teacher went on and on about how the project was going to improve people's interpersonal skills or some useless dribble like that. However in the dribble Raymond heard the teacher say, "Since we don't have much time in class to do the project, you and your partner will have to meet outside of class in order to finish it."

To Raymond the teacher's words meant one thing: a date.

(SHIT

JUST

GOT

REAL!!!)

Burning excitement and dreadful fear duked it out inside of Raymond's head, and fear was winning. He had never been on a date. He was shaking. Or at least he would have been shaking if the teacher didn't want the class to partake in one last bullshit ritual, as the teacher wanted the whole class to get into a circle and talk about the class norms. Raymond unenthusiastically got up from his seat and got into the circle.

After everyone got into the circle the teacher said, "This circle looks more like an oval. Some people should hold hands to help turn this oval into an actual circle."

(Holding hands? What are we in kindergar-)

Raymond paused his thoughts when he felt something grab one of his hands. He turned his head and looked to see what it was. It was Miss Interpretation. She was grabbing one of his hands. One of his sweaty greasy disgusting hands.

(HOLY FUCK! MY WISH OF ROMANTICALLY HOLDING HANDS (almost) CAME TRUE (and it was with a girl too)!)

A shock wave of pleasure and confidence pulsated through Raymond's spine, went to his brain, and finally made its way into his pants.

(If I can just lift my social anxiety, I could show Miss Interpretation the full brunt of my outstanding personality and get her to fall for me on our date. I have the sweetness of 50 Twinkies combined, the mental strength of the warriors from the myths that my ancestors told, wittier than Albert Einstein and Dr. Seuss combined, and I can get into a woman's head better than Dr. Phil could ever wish he could. I'm about to soar higher than the most potted up of pot heads to ever exist! Look out world, a new romance hero has been born! First, hand holding. Next, the world!)

Little did Raymond know that by believing that the personality he possessed was something exceptional, he was merely believing in the same thing that those who actually do manage to remember things that never happened believe in:

Their imagination.

And by believing in his imagination, he was creating the same thing that a fool who rides on a merry-go-round and then has the idiocy to brag about how fast his horse is creates:

A delusion.

Fortunately for Raymond however, he had some time to prepare for his date with destiny. Maybe he could make something out of nothing.

18 year-old Raymond McGregory considers himself to be one of the nicest guys out there and a true dominant male. However despite his supposed accolades Raymond is single by choice…... of others, and the only relationships he’s ever had are with his left hand and his couch sleeve. One day the “tfw no gf” is felt strongly within Raymond, and he decides to hatch out a plan to get a girlfriend. But his plan falls apart when he comes to the realization that in order to get girls to fall for him he has to actually talk to them. This isn’t an easy task for Raymond as he suffers from extreme social anxiety. On top of that he’s a massive nerd, not very bright, delusional, and is honestly the kind of guy that would get fourth place in a three-man race. Later Raymond comes across a group of people on the internet known as "Incels" who seem to be in a similar  position as he is, but their views on the opposite sex and society seem very wicked. However they say they can help Raymond. Will Raymond seek help from these sinister people or will he try to keep a heart of gold?

Furthermore, can Raymond get girls to love him despite not being able to talk to them? How much control does Raymond have over his plan? And How do you  fix a moronic incel? Find out all of this and more in this dark satirical romantic comedy filled with nice guys, deep philosophical underpinnings, and strong gay undertones.

This webnovel can also be viewed on Royal Road Legends:

https://www.royalroadl.com/fiction/18749/how-to-fix-a-moronic-incel

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