The ceiling was white.
My chest heaved as I gasped for breath, heart pounding like a war drum. The remnants of the nightmare still clung to my mind, sticky and cold. I shivered. The room felt like it had dropped ten degrees the moment I recalled the end of it.
That hand...
I didn't know what it was. But I knew—knew—that if it had touched me, something terrible would've happened.Definitely.
I pushed myself upright, unease crawling over me like a second skin as I took in my surroundings.
Then I looked down.
A sinking feeling hit me like a stone in my gut—I was restrained.
Panic surged. I struggled, wrists tugging at the bindings. My thoughts spiraled.
Am I a lab rat?Why the hell am I restrained?!I need to get out of here. Now.
"I see you're up."
My thoughts came to an halt as I flinched, a sudden surprise washing over me as I felt my heart beat faster.
Short, raven-black hair…
Icy blue eyes…
My eyes widened as I pointed a finger at the beautiful lady before me. "Y-You a-are-" I stuttered as I looked at one of my favorite characters in the novel. I stuttered immediately as my thoughts cycled..
"I am?" The women asked, responding to my stutter.
"So-"
I caught myself, my gaze sweeping the room once more. Cogs spun quick, The sterile, white surroundings suggested an underground bunker, likely a police station. A sense of caution settled over me as I assessed my situation.
I could deduce that I was not a legacy. The government would most likely think I am an outskirt rat due to not having any data on me. 'Since I am an outskirt rat, I should probably not know a particular awakened's name. Sure, I could make up an excuse that I idolize her or whatever but I didn't want to even raise a small suspicion from where I am or who am I.'
"So b-beautiful" This was the only valid thing I could say.
Jet raised her brow, before sighing, "I see." She got up, removing my bindings, "Thanks for the compliment, at least your not as shameless as the other one." she said without a hint of amusement.
My throat got a hic, 'Other one?' That was when I remembered how Sunny and Jet met as a "o' shape naturally found its way on my mouth.
I appraised her once more as my sight landed on her chest. A deep flush crept up my cheeks, intensified by the amplifying effect of my flaw. 'They are unnecessarily big!' I concluded my analysis but before I could look away.
'What are you looking at?"
OH COME ON! I was even following the one Mississippi rule! "u-uh", I stuttered as my nervousness grew. I quietly cursed my flaw, turning to the other side. "N-Nothing!" Jet narrowed her eyes as she came closer to me, "and why you red?"
Shit.
"M-My flaw makes it so t-that every time I tell a truth, my face turns red." As I said those word, I realized my mishap. 'I called her beautiful earlier!' Jet raised a brow, having just removed my restraints.
"Huh uh..." As she raised her torso, My gaze seemingly magnetize to her—
A sharp sting erupted on my cheek, accompanied by the sound of my bed toppling over from the force of her slap.
A red outline burned on my cheek as I recoiled along with the bed from the blow.
I felt the slight need to cry due to the pain as I looked up at the monster approaching me. I restrained myself from crying like a child while Jet bent down to my level and said with a twitching smile.
"Congratulations on surviving your First Nightmare, Sleeper Asher."
**
"Uh…" I mumbled, rubbing my cheek as I walked toward the shower, still crying from Jet's slap. My face throbbed, and I could still feel the faint imprint of her palm.
It hurt.
I shuffled toward the shower, as, in Jet's words, 'I reeked of the Nightmare spell.'
Grabbing the doorknob, I paused, face falling into a flat, stoic expression.
"What do you mean, 'no'?! You just moved your head! Do you think I'm a fool?"
A voice—shouting.
I opened the door to find a black-haired boy with pale skin yelling... at his shadow.
Also, he was half-naked.
I blinked as I looked at the scene as the boy finally noticed me. He blinked as well as I suppressed my laugh. My flaw didn't help.
I was compelled to speak up when Sunny's face flushed red, "Uh... It's a misunderstanding." He said. THAT'S NOT FAIR! It only compelled me to laugh harder!
In the end, I could only snicker as I voiced, "Weirdo."
Sunny looked at the guy in front of him as he clenched the towel in his hand, proceeding to walk out the bathroom in silence.
"Pftt—"
Once out, Sunny said in a seethed tone, "Just because that bastard is a bit good-looking, it doesn't mean he can pity me!"
I wheezed a laugh and called out through the door, "I heard that!"
Still chuckling, I stepped in front of the mirror. I tried to compose himself, but the laughter lingered in my chest like a ticklish echo.
And then my towel slipped.
I didn't even notice.
Because what I saw in the mirror made my jaw slowly unhinge.
Staring at me was a sixteen years old, tall, lean but muscular. A chiseled jawline that could cut stone. Long, shoulder-length white hair with streaks of vibrant blue woven beautifully. And his eyes—my eyes—were a pristine, glassy shade of sapphire, practically glowing.
I took a step closer to the mirror, jaw still slack.
And then I shouted, full volume, no hesitation:
LOOK SO HOT!"
Somewhere in the hallway, I heard the sound of a trip, a stumbled step, and then Sunny's voice, barely audible but laced with disdain.
"Narcissistic bastard…"
***
Seated beside Sunny, Asher shifted uncomfortably in the stiff, police-issued tracksuit. The synthetic fabric itched against his skin, unfamiliar and sterile. He tied his long hair into a manbun, though the side bangs still fell stubbornly against his neck. Wrinkling his nose, he stared down at the unappetizing meal on the tray before him, doing his best to mask the disgust twisting his features.
"Not to your taste?" Jet asked, raising an eyebrow as she met his gaze.
"I would have expected to serve something more appetizing after walking out of a hell hole." Asher simply replied.
Sunny gobbled up some more synthpaste as he nodded profusely. "I kmow Rigwt!"
Jet nodded, agreeing with they complaints as she shrugged. "We can't do anything about it, the government budget is tight."
Asher nodded slowly, nudging his tray away.'Surely the academy will have better food… Surely…'
The pause that followed felt heavier than expected. Jet and Sunny stared at him, expressions unreadable. Asher blinked, then tilted his head slightly, piecing it together.
'They are probably shocked that I reject free food since in there mind, I am an outskirt rat.'
"You really don't want it?" Jet asked, surprised.
"I-I'm good."
Jet gave a slow nod and cleared her throat, slipping into a more official tone.
"Alright then, I'll begin. As per protocol, I am obligated to inform you of a few things. It is mostly a formality. First of all, concerning your Nightmare…"
She paused, eyeing the now fidgety Asher and the still-hungry Sunny before letting out a resigned sigh.
"You are entitled to receive free psychological counselling. No matter what traumatic experience you have encountered, there is no shame in asking for help. Your mind is as important as your body — it's only right to keep it healthy. Are you interested?"
She looked at Asher. "Would you like to schedule a session?"
Asher immediately pointed at Sunny. "He might."
Sunny froze, mouth half-open, glaring at him with a betrayed look. "Huh?!"
Asher fought back a smirk. "No shame, right? I mean… who argues with their own shadow?"
Sunny slammed back a glass of water, clearly preparing a counterattack. "Hey! People argue with their shadow! Didn't I hear you talking to your mirror, huh?"
"Eh?" Asher blinked. "That was a perfectly rational reaction. Anyone would talk to their reflection if their face looked this good."
"HUH?! What's that supposed to mean?!"
"Are you retarded?" Asher smiled.
"Alright, enough." Jet cut in, rubbing her temples. "Please stop bickering."
Sunny froze mid-retort. Asher lowered his gaze, lips tightening.
"...I'm sorry," he mumbled.
"..."
"..."
His face grew red.
"I shall take it that both of you deny the need for psychological counselling." Both nodded sightly as Jet continued, turning to Asher first. "You can also talk to me. Was it very hard?"
Asher's face twitched. His hand shot up to cover his mouth as he stifled a gag. The memories — blood, viscera, the stench of death — surged up like bile. His disgust, already heightened, made it a battle just to keep his stomach in check due to his amplified disgust.
"I see..." Jet said softly, reading enough in his reaction.
She then shifted her attention to Sunny.
"It was simultaneously much worse than I expected and exactly as bad as I expected," Sunny replied.
"That's a good attitude. I won't pry any further. Us outskirt rats are way more resilient than people think." Jet said with a rare smile. That confirmed it. He was categorized as an outskirt rat.
Since his name conspicuously absent from any records. That was the only logical conclusion they could draw.
As for how they knew his name, Asher had no clue. Jet informed him that they found him at the doorstep of the police station and after a bit of inspection, they determined that he was in a nightmare. What did surprise Asher, though, was that he came to the police station as Sunny.
'Plot purposes I guess...'
________
[A/n: Pretty long chapter huh?]