This… no way...
Sweat ran down my face. My fists were still bleeding, knuckles cracked open like split skin on dry winter days.
"It... no... don't tell me my blood mutated again?" My voice trembled, filled with unease. If it mutated again... what would happen? Would I still be me? Would my mind stay intact?
"How... did it happen again?" I muttered, trying to piece together the chaos in my head. I gulped, the metallic taste of blood still fresh in my mouth, my thoughts trailing back to the agony of having my arm ripped clean off in the mind realm.
Damn it. If this keeps happening... I might lose control. I can't afford that. I need to protect my sister.
I forced myself to stand. My knees popped a little. No idea how long I'd been down here. Before I could check the time—
My stomach growled.
"Great..." I mumbled. "Guess I'm hungry."
I limped toward the ladder, each step up creaking louder than the last. Wood groaned beneath me.
I'll replace that thing later.
When I finally got to the top, I stood up and dusted myself off. The house was quiet. Too quiet. Moonlight poured through the cracked windows and spilled across the floor. I walked out of the library, the floorboards moaning under my weight.
Every step sounded louder in the silence.
I pushed open the cupboard. Found three slices of stale bread.
"This'll have to do." I tore off a chunk and plopped down at the table, dragging the chair just enough for the legs to squeal.
Better than nothing, I guess.
Bit by bit, I ate in silence. The bread was dry as hell. Still, it filled the hole in my stomach.
When I finished, I cleaned the plate, wiped the crumbs, and tucked the chair back in.
Climbed the stairs. More creaking.
Finally. I can rest.
My chest rose and fell in slow, deliberate breaths as I reached the top. I pushed open the door to my room, walked in—
Wait.
The lantern on the table was lit.
I froze.
I hadn't been here all day. I didn't light it. No one else should've been here.
I stared at the flame for a second too long.
"…I'll deal with it tomorrow." I sighed and blew out the flame.
Too tired for this shit.
I dragged myself to the bed and threw a blanket over my body. The moonlight crawled across the ceiling. Too damn bright.
"It's a full moon, huh…" I whispered, glancing at the window.
I held up my hand toward the ceiling.
Maybe I could reach my old strength again. Maybe not all hope was lost.
I smiled faintly. I didn't care about being the strongest anymore. I just needed enough to protect myself. Aveline had the guards, after all. Only thing to worry about was the finance stuff.
How's she gonna handle all that paperwork...
I chuckled to myself, rolling onto my side.
"Hope you're okay, Aveline."
Sleep came quick. No dreams. Just silence.
---
Light poured through the window.
My eyes fluttered open. I sat up and stretched. My arms cracked.
"Another day..." I yawned, rubbing my neck.
Fog outside. Thick, too. Could barely see past the trees.
"Foggy…"
My stomach growled again.
"Alright, alright. I hear you." I mumbled, getting dressed. "I'll eat outside today."
Grabbed my coat and stepped out of the room. The floors creaked like usual, and the air was full of dust particles dancing in the morning light.
Gotta clean this place later.
I reached the front door, opened it slowly.
Crowded.
The streets were filled with people. Bustling, talking, selling. The noise hit me like a wave.
"Busy day today…" I muttered, locking the door behind me. Still felt strange being here. Everything felt new.
I looked around. Tried to get a feel for where I was.
Unfamiliar. Still.
Then I saw it—a small restaurant off to the right. Didn't look fancy, but it was enough.
I walked over, sat at a table, ordered a simple meal. Nothing heavy. Just enough to kill the hunger.
My fingers tapped the table while I waited, my thoughts already slipping back to last night. The mutation. The flame in the lantern. The growing worry that something was watching me.
Something was changing.
Inside me.
Outside, too.
---
[End of Chapter]
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