|008|

"Boo !" Jackson appeared out of nowhere.

"Ew. What are you doin' here ?"

"Aw, is that your way to greet a friend ?"

"You ? Friend ?" I snorted, "Yeah, no. That's never gonna happen. Let's just get this over with."

"Are you feeling alright ?"

"Mmhmm. Wonderful. Super. Just tired."

Of Voice.

I trudged outside the house and Jackson brought me to a garden.

"So, this is the garden. A lot of-"

"I don't care about that. Just tell me... What do you meant by 'one of us'- And when you called my a 'half' before."

"Sit."

"Why ?" The corner of my eyes crinkling.

"It's a pretty long talk. And you're obviously not feeling well. Sit down, love."

"Don't call me that, douchebag !" I yelled.

"And what are you gonna do about it ? We took your gun."

"I'm aware of that." I huffed.

"Because if I did have my gun, you would already have a bullet in your skull. And don't underestimate my fightin' skills."

He looked at me with amusement.

"What."

"Nothin'. Just realised you might be one of the few people who aren't afraid of me."

"I admit, hearing all that talk in the news made me a bit-"

He stared behind me and frowned.

"Run to the tree."

"What ? Why ? Why can't we just talk here ? Why do I need to-"

He grabbed my wrists and pushed my against the tree. He pulled my hands above my head and hold it down with one hand, the other wrapped protectively around my shoulders.

"Shhh." he warned.

He gazed down at me with a look of exasperation on his face.

Towering over me, he clutched my wounded shoulder tightly.

I tried to move his hand, but his grip was like iron.

The pain made me wince slightly, but I tried my best to hide it.

Nevertheless, his expression changed from annoyed to worried in a split second.

He slid his hand down my arm instead.

"I'm sorry. I forgot about your injury. Are you alright ?"

I glared at him, "Let me go before I kick your- MMmMMMmMMMMMMmMM !"

Jackson covered my mouth with his left hand. "SHHHHH ! Shut your tiny mouth for once !"

"...Did you just roll your eyes at me ?"

"muffled Obviously."

"Her scent ! She's close !" I heard someone exclaiming.

"With her, Master can awaken fully. Why would she be at this damnable camp, I don't know."

He's just a regular guy. Why would Jackson-

"Stay out of his sight. Don't move." Jackson commanded.

He walked in front of the guy, "Abbadon. How did you get here ?"

"Oh, hello, little fox !" Abbadon cackled.

"Hardly little. Just answer the question."

"Right ! Your borders are failing ! The closer my master is to consciousness, the more the borders will weaken. He will wake from his eternal sleep !" He erupted into laughter.

Jackson looked at him, confused.

"But enough of that ! It's been a while since I've met a shape shifter ! How's Vixxi doing, hm ?"

"How do you know about her ?"

"I have my ways."

"She's dead to me." Jackson snarled.

"I see. How about Archeron, hm ?"

[Jackson]

Archeron...

I took a deep breath, willing myself to calm down, but I can feel myself exploding.

My eyes turned purple, and the sky turned dark.

"Well shit..." Abbadon muttered.

"You dare talk about him ?" I laughed hysterically.

"Oh, you are so fucking dead, demon." I snapped my fingers.

A bolt of dark lightning struck Abbadon, making him fall.

"Ouch." he whimpered.

"Tell me the truth. How did you get in ?"

"The border is getting weak..." he managed to spit out.

"Yeah, I'm not buying it. I'm sure we both know the borders aren't as weak as you claim. Angelica would immediately sense it and alert everyone. And I think you're forgetting one thing about me."

I grabbed his collar, leaving him dangling on his feet. "I can sense the lies coming out of your mouth pretty easily, demon. Wanna tell me the truth and get this over with ?"

"Heh. Well, you've earned my respect. You see, fox, we have someone in there who tells us what's happening inside."

I pursed my lips, forming a scowl. "So, a spy."

"Bingo ! I knew you would figure it out, son of Archeron !"

"Don't call me that. I'm no son of his."

"Oh, that's right ! You've been pushing away your father's presence for 4 years now... It won't be long before it completely takes over you !"

"Shut the hell up." I growled.

"Oh, you poor fox ! Have I struck a nerve ?"

"Choose your next words wisely," I snarled, my purple eyes flashing dangerously. The veins in my hand turned completely purple, and electricity crackled around me.

"Because I won't hesitate to crush your skull to tiny bits. Got it ?"

"I'll be back, fox. I'll be back." Abbadon disappeared in a sheet of red light.

You're calm, Jackson.

Calm down.

I took a deep breath and clapped twice.

The sky turned clear and my eyes returned to my normal colour,

"Sit down." I faced Kana.

"W-what happened ?" She grimaced.

"I... I know that was a bit... frightening. But I need to tell you the truth. That's what you want, right ?"

She stared at me, unable to speak.

"So, please. Sit down."

She rolled her eyes and perched on a rock, "There. Happy ?"

I sat down next to her and grinned, "You have no idea." "

Alright, Jackson. Tell me."

"Supernaturals are real. I'm one. Phyu Sein, the one who healed you, is one. The dude who just escaped... Pretty sure he's a demon. Everyone here is partly, or fully supernatural. You're one."

She looked at me as if I had three heads.

"When I was carrying you here, I saw your wound was already healing." I explained.

"Regular mortals don't recover quickly. When I touched you, I could sense your aura. You're a half. A half mortal, a half supernatural."

[Kana]

I am a supernatural ?

"Do... Can supernaturals die ?" I asked.

"We can die. But not as easily as mortals." Jackson stated calmly.

So... Could it not be Mom ?

"What would happen if one got shot through the heart ?"

Jackson clicked his tongue thoughtfully, "Well, regular mortals would die instantly, but a supernatural could stay alive for hours... maybe even days , after getting shot."

Hours...?

Mom died instantly... She had no pulse.

Oh my God...

I-it can't be...

I-it's Dad ?

B-but... he ... he would've...

"It can't be dad ! He could've protected us that night !" I blurted.

"H-he would've known what was goin' to happen !"

"Love, I know this must be..." Jackson put a comforting hand on my arm.

"I know this must be difficult to understand-"

"Difficult ? DID YOU JUST SAY DIFFICULT ?" I screamed.

"I now find out the truth about my father ! 19 fuckin' years, and I find out my father isn't even human ! I've spent 13 years of my life thinkin' I was messed up since-"

Since Voice appeared.

"My whole life is a fuckin' lie !"

A wave of dizziness and anger washed over me.

The nearby trees shook violently.

No...

I can't have another-

Not now.

Not now. Please.

"Are you-"

I blacked out and fell to the floor.

"Where the hell am I ?"

"J-jackson ?"

I looked around.

I could see nothing but darkness.

"I- I need to get out of here !"

I ran as fast as I could, sprinting away from the darkness.

But no matter how hard I run, the darkness was everywhere.

Wha...?

"N-no... I-it... you can't be... It can't be you..."

"Hello daughter."

Akimi, my mother, stood in front of me.

"Mom !" I ran and hugged her.

"You've grown into a beautiful young woman, my child." She laughed softly.

"Mom-"

"I know you feel sorry for me. Don't be. I'm okay with-"

"How can you be so nonchalant about death ? I now find out he's a supernatural ! Where was he that night ? Why wasn't he there for us when we needed him the most ? He wasn't there to protect you when you needed him the most !"

"It's his fault you're dead." I whispered.

My mother laughed hysterically, "Kana, it's not your father's fault I'm dead."

"What ? Then who-"

"It's yours."

My mother's eyes turned silver, and her pristine white dress was now stained with blood.

"What ? No ! I... I-"

I turned away and ran, wanting to escape this nightmare.

"Run all you want, Kana." My mother appeared in front of me.

"But just remember... You can't run from your own doubts ! You can't run from your own mind. You can't run from the truth !"

I ran away, panting.

"N-no... Go away..."

"They were after you, not me. It's your fault I'm dead." My mother singsonged.

"Your fault I haunt the earth. Your fault I didn't get to spend a lifetime with your father. I despise you !"

"i-I'm sorry !"

"You're despicable !"

"N-no Mom, please !"

I ran and ran, but there was only darkness ahead.

[Voice]

"Going somewhere ?"

[Akimi]

"Everyone you love...

[Voice]

"Is dead because of you ! You're the fault that your mother's dead. Hated by your own family. Know as the craziest psychopath to walk on earth. What the hell is wrong with you ?"

[Akimi]

"Can't you do anything right ?"

[Kana]

"STOP ! Stop you're not real ! G-get out of my fuckin' head !"

My eyes glowed red and silver, my hair levitating above me.

[Akimi]

"What are you-"

[Kana]

"GET OUT OF MY HEAD ! YOU AND VOICE AREN'T REAL !"

[Jackson]

I'm going to toss her in that fountain if she doesn't wake up in five minutes.

"P-please...s-stop... Y-you and... aren't real..." Kana sobbed quietly, a tear sliding from her eyes.

I wiped her tear away. "Wake up, love."

"Huh... where am I ?" she mumbled.

"Oh, it's just Jackson... He's so warm... And comfortable..."

I chuckled.

She's so cute.

"Wait. What. Where did those thoughts come from ? And why the fuck am I on his lap ?" she grumbled to herself.

"Hey douche. Wanna let me go ?" she tilted her head and snapped.

"Well, hello, love ! Did you sleep well ?" I grinned.

"Not really, no. Let go."

"But what if I don't wanna let go ? You're kinda comfortable, like a little blanket. And I think you owe me some thanks. If I didn't catch you when you fainted, you would've hit your head and gotten a concussion !"

"Like I give a shit ! Let go ! I would rather get a concussion !" She wriggled in my arms.

"Wow. The disrespect. You sure you want me to let go ?"

"Of course ! What else would I-"

I stood up and pushed her off my lap, making her faceplant to the floor.

"I hate you." she let out a muffled groan.

"You're the one who told me to let go !" I laughed.

"Were you crying ?" I asked carefully while observing her swollen eyes.

"No, I'm fine." she lied.

"Look, it's okay to be-"

"Oh, wow ! When did you say the meeting was ? Maybe we should get goin' don't you think ?"

She's changing the subject.

"Okay, Maybe. But can I ask one question ?"

"Sure ?"

I rubbed my neck, a faint blush creeping up my cheek.

"I-i'm sorry."

"W-what ? What are you sorry about ?"

"I won't pressure you. I know you don't trust me. I shouldn't have-"

She blushed and looked away.

"Ahem." she coughed.

"I do have one question, though. How do you... control your powers ?"

"You don't know how to ?"

"Not really. I-I can only let out short bursts. I'v never tried to learn properly... I- I guess I've been traumatised since I was six.."

She looked down with a sad expression.

"May I ?"

"May you what ?" she scrunched up her face in confusion.

"Give me your hands, love."

"Oh. Uh..."

"Love, give me your hand. Oh right. You don't like being touched-"

"No, no it's fine."

She placed her hands on mine, her icy skin making me shiver.

"Are you trembling ?"

"Uh... yes. Yeah a little."

"Love, you'll be fine. This is only one small step forward. A tiny, tiny baby step. Take a deep breath."

She did exactly what I said.

"Ready ?" She nodded.

"Concentrate on your hands." I instructed.

"Try to block out noise. Listen to your own heartbeat. Now... Imagine energy flowing through your veins, and it's travelling through your hands."

My veins turned black, and electricity circled my wrists.

"Like that. Try it."

[Kana]

"Is... I-is this a good idea ?"

"Why would it not ?" Jackson grinned.

Because...

Because the first time I did this, it created Voice.

"Because... I'm scared ?"

"Don't worry, love. I'll make sure you don't explode."

A faint smile crept towards my cheek, "Well, that's reassuring. And how many times have I told you to start calling' me 'love' ?" I glared at him.

"I've been calling you that since you woke up from your little nap. didn't hear you complain once. Is the 'Craziest Psycho in America' starting to like me ?" Jackson smirked.

"OW !"

"Shut up and let me concentrate." I muttered.

I balled my hands into tight fists, my knuckles turning as white as snow.

Taking a deep breath, I relaxed, extending my fingers, allowing my hands to unclench.

I concentrated only on my hands. Everything around me became dark and muffled. I felt them tingle, like they were waking up- like pins and needles.

I could feel my blood growing hotter and hotter as it flowed through my veins.

Then light flickered to life, curls and red and silver dancing on my palms.

My skin appeared translucent, even in the sunlight; I could see the energy coursing through my veins up to my arms.

"J-jackson ?" I widened my eyes.

"I'm freakin' out. I think I'm havin' a panic attack. W-what do I do now ?"

"It's alright, you're doing fine."

I stared at my trembling hands.

"Love, relax. You're doing fine."

The light flashed for a few more seconds before slowly fading from my palms.

"Thank god I didn't explode !"

"Love, you're a natural ! Good job ! But we should probably get going."

"Oh- Oh shit. Yeah. How are we goin'-"