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Chapter 14.1
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Time started to fly by for Nyla. February slipped quickly into March, bringing only slightly warmer weather. Fighting to keep her eyes open as Mr. Richards droned on and on about the War of Attribution, Nyla regretted for the first time her ability to memorize whatever she read. The ring didn’t diminish that ability, and it made class dreadfully dull. She jerked to attention by Sarah jabbing her hard in the side. Casting her a questioning glance, Sarah motioned towards the front of the room.
“We’ve finished the War of Attribution early. I thought it’d be interesting to open the floor to any questions you may have. They can be over the topics we’ve covered or something else, it’s really up to you.” Mr. Richards stood waiting for someone to raise their hand.
The room erupted into whispers, but only one student, a loud-mouthed boy who often berated Nyla, was brave enough to stick his hand up. “Where do Menhits come from?&rdq
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No one spoke, waiting for her to go on. “That’s it,” she said lamely.“Doesn’t it bother you? Not remembering?” Dylan asked.Nyla shook her head. “I’ve never considered it before.”“How have you not wondered what your parents are like? Why they let you leave? Or be taken?” Eason exclaimed, riled up by the conversation and Nyla’s apparent lack of interest.“How do you know her caregivers were parents?” Sarah interjected.“Well, everyone is born, aren’t they?”Or are they? Her eye’s met Sarah’s father’s, and a silent understanding passed between them.“Have you ever thought about having parents? What kind you would like?” Dylan asked.Turning the question over in her mind, she finally answered, “Parents like yours, Dylan.”Their father looked touched. Nyla avoided his gaze
What Is Love? Chapter 15.1
Nyla didn’t notice the changing of the seasons until one day she woke up and the trees had new leaves. This was the first time Nyla could ever remember having this time of the year free; in the military, the first hint of spring heralded an arduous march back to District 4 to fight. She’d never had the opportunity to enjoy the refreshing breeze or the tiny animals that started to pop up out of nowhere.Much like the small critters, Mason emerged from her room more as the weather changed. Apparently, all she’d needed was the cold to disappear for her anger to dissipate. Personally, Nyla was beginning to believe that Mason was colder than the weather ever had been. No matter how much her parents threatened her, she still refused to call Nyla by her name instead using ‘it’ and ‘that.’ To Nyla's surprise, being addressed like an object slowly started wearing on her until she couldn’t help but snap at Mason’s snide comment one
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Nyla thought she understood. She placed a comforting hand on Eason’s shoulder. “Then why are these still here, if you ended up hating it enough to quit?”“Dad won’t let me take them down. He wants me to look at everything I threw away or something. So they stay.” Eason shrugged. Before, Nyla wouldn’t have noticed any nuance to Eason’s words, but now she knew him well enough to see the hard glint in his eyes.He hates them being here. Edmond picked an excellent punishment.Bringing his attention back to Nyla, he asked, “What do you need?”Her mind preoccupied, it took Nyla several seconds to process what he said. “I don’t know what to pack,” she blurted out.Eason blinked at her, and then his empty bag. “Okay,” he said slowly, “do you want my help? Or my mom’s?”Nyla didn’t hesitate. “Your help. Your mom is nice, bu
What Is Love? Chapter 15.3
Relief washed over her. If money had exchanged hands, she and Sarah would be roommates. Getting to the head of the queue, Sarah and Nyla were each handed a paper that held three names. “Who…?” Sarah questioned, staring at the third name underneath her own.“It’s Breanne.”The duo glanced around them, trying to find the quiet girl who hid in the background so often. They found her standing next to their literature teacher. Even divided by the twenty feet that separated them, Nyla could see the girl's hands shaking. A pang of something struck Nyla in the heart.I should be mad at her, but I’m not. I can’t be. I understand why she stays away, she has no protection, not like Eason and Sarah.“Let’s go see our room,” Nyla said, drawing Sarah’s attention away from Breanne.They had already chosen beds and started unpacking when Breanne shuffled into the room, her head down.
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“Each team of three has received a holopad, correct?” the camp counselor asked. The students nodded. “It has been preloaded with a map of the grounds and your first clue. You all have received a different lead to begin with, so there’s no reason to try and follow another group – you’ll end up in the wrong spot. When you find an item, please do not bring it with you; instead, take a picture of it—no need to disturb anything out here. The first group that cycles back here is the winner, given that they’ve completed the rest of the scavenger hunt correctly. We’ll send a message to the pads when it’s time to come back. On the count of three, you’re off. One…two…three!”Sarah, who was holding the holopad, swiped up and the first clue projected into the air for all of them to read.I bloom only three days a yearSurprise! Today is number twoMy fuchsia pe
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“Do you think we won?” Sarah huffed as they rushed back to the chateau.“We have a good chance, thanks to Nyla,” Eason managed to cough out between breaths.Nyla slowed down when she saw how much they were struggling. “No, no, keep going,” Sarah directed, clutching a stitch in her side. “I want that extra credit! It’s enough to fix my C in history!”Nyla sped back up, making it back several minutes before the other two. She waited on the edges of the clearing for Mrs. Smith to notice her.“Are you done already?” Mrs. Smith asked, blinking confusedly at Nyla. She nodded, smiling.“Where’s the rest of your group?” her teacher snapped, looking over Nyla’s shoulder.“We’re here! We’re here!” Eason cried out, running up to them before collapsing in a wheezing heap on the ground. Sarah laid down next to him, exhausted.&ld
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When the news broke that Breanne was missing, there was a moment of silence before chaos erupted. The only two who didn’t jump up out of their seats were Breanne’s teammates. Instead, they shrunk down, then quietly got up and left the room. Nyla watched them go with what she thought was probably disgust rolling around her stomach.Meeting Eason’s worried gaze, Nyla said, “You know what I have to do, Eason.”“Yes,” his voice broke on the single word. Concern made his eyes bright.“Do what? Nyla?” questioned Sarah, looking between the two of them, not privy to their silent understanding.Nyla started towards Mrs. Smith, leaving Eason to explain the situation to Sarah. “What is it, Ms. Braun?” her teacher asked, her usual gruff voice tired and worried. The change unsettled Nyla and strengthened her resolve.“Let me help look,” Nyla said boldly. “The sun’s already
What Is Love? Chapter 17.2
Ten minutes later, she froze midstep. Something was different; some noise had been introduced that hadn’t been anyplace else. A deep, ragged breath cut through the night again. Starting carefully towards the sound, the faint scent of blood caught her attention. She started running again, estimating that she was several hundred yards from the place of the injured thing. Almost too late, she skidded to a halt in time to not fall into the gaping hole the ground became. Laying on her stomach to disperse her weight, she edged towards the opening. At the very bottom of the thirty-foot drop laid a crumpled, shaking form.“Breanne?” Nyla called down to the figure.She snapped her head up. “Nyla?” she croaked, her voice raw from screaming for help.“Hold on.” Standing up, Nyla edged closer to the edge, took a deep breath, and jumped down into the pit. She landed on all fours, a foot away from Breanne’s leg, which was juttin
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The days in the James’ household fell into a pattern. Every morning she rose later than she ever had been allowed to before. She then traipsed downstairs to have a light breakfast with Madame James, who was delighted to have a young woman in the house after having raised only boys. The rest of her day was spent reading or exploring the mansion, which was old enough to have hidden rooms long forgotten. This morning Nyla rose the latest she had yet and headed downstairs still in her pajamas. Yawning, she entered the family dining room only to find two guests sitting with Madame James. “Sarah! Breanne!” The girls leaped up, squealing, and attacked Nyla with affection. They each squeezed Nyla tight enough to make her ribs crack. “Nyla!” Gazing over their heads, Nyla found Madame James smiling serenely while sipping on her tea. “What’s going on?” Nyla choked out. Sarah and Breanne let her go and backed up a step. “I was about to send someone up to wake you
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As dawn was reaching her fingers out across the sky, Nyla arrived. She stood at the front gates that blocked her path and contemplated what to do. She knew she looked a mess; her hair must be a rat’s nest after all the flying. It’d be rude if she flew over the wall. Without any other option, Nyla pressed the buzzer.“Yes?”“This is Nyla Bra- just Nyla. May I come in?”She heard a scurry of movement and then a muffled, “Oof,” before a bell chimed, and the gate swung open. Taking it as an invitation, Nyla started up the long drive. About halfway up it, she was met by Madame James, who flung herself at Nyla, hanging onto her by her neck.“Nyla! We’ve been waiting all night for you!”Michael loped over, his pace much more sedate. “Mom was about to go out looking for you herself if you didn’t get here soon.”“How did you know I was coming?” Nyla asked,
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Nyla and Eason were unprepared for the bark of Edmond’s voice when they entered the house from outdoors. Ever since Eason had graduated at the beginning of the week, he and Nyla had taken to spending the afternoons in the backyard once she got home.Edmond was standing next to the back doors waiting for them, his arms crossed, and his eyes hard. “You two. My office. Now.” His clipped tones did not foreshadow a pleasant conversation.They followed him into his office where they found Veronica waiting, wringing her hands methodically.Edmond gestured towards the chairs in front of his desk. “Sit.” Nyla and Eason sat. Edmond began pacing behind his desk. Nyla didn’t dare glance at Eason. They were in trouble; she just didn’t know what for yet.Turning on his heel, Edmond gave the two of them a deadly glare. “Do you have anything you’d like to tell me?”Bewildered, Nyla shook her head and assu
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Breanne swallowed and turned to Sarah. “What do we do now?”“Find a place to hide, of course. We’ve got our food, Eason will be busy dancing for a while, and everything else is about to turn political,” Sarah said matter of factly.“Sounds good to me,” Breanne agreed, looking towards Nyla, who hesitated for just a moment before nodding.“Good. I saw back doors somewhere,” Sarah ushered them outside, where they found a small gazebo tucked away. “This is perfect!”They had barely sat down before Sarah leaped back up. “I forgot! You guys stay right here!” She rushed back inside before either girl could respond.Breanne turned to Nyla. “What’s that about, you think?”“No idea.” Nyla gave Breanne a perusal. “You look uncomfortable.”Breanne blushed to the roots of her beautiful, chaotic hair that had been left to its own
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Nyla and her friends were sitting on their rooftop spot, avoiding the noise downstairs when Sarah turned to Eason. “Are you having the usual aging out party for your birthday?”“Birthday?” asked Nyla, her attention diverted from her sandwich, which was in the process of falling apart. “Your birthday is coming up?”Eason laughed. “Nyla, it’s next week. Where have you been?”In a dark, dark place.“But that means you’ll be eighteen and will graduate.” Panic started bubbling up in Nyla’s chest. She couldn’t handle school without Eason by her side.He seemed to know exactly where her thoughts had gone. “Calm down, Nyla. Sarah and Breanne will still be here with you. You’re eighteen next month anyway. You’ll only have to survive a little bit of time.”“We’ll be here for you,” Breanne tried to comfort Nyla.
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Pre-discharge Report – Nyla Braun The agility, speed, and strength of Nyla have deceased quantifiably – however, levels are not where they should be given the length of time wearing the ring. A new, stronger ring might be necessary, although Nyla does not display any outwardly hostile or dangerous behaviors. Dr. Fredrick reported sub-par results from her psychological exam as well. He noted facial ticks several times, along with unsatisfactory answers. Three times he suspected her of lying, although he had no way to prove it. Her discharge was still approved, although conditional on further exams. Nyla sighed, unsurprised. “I knew I didn’t do very well.”&
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Yanked out of a deep sleep, Nyla lashed out, and caught someone’s arm. “Ouch! Nyla, it’s me!” Groggily, Nyla opened her eyes to find Eason hovering over her. “What’re you doing?” Ignoring her question, he thrust a holopad into her hands.“Nyla, you have to see this.” Nyla struggled to sit up. Once situated, she took the holopad. “What is it?” “I broke into my dad’s office and -,” “You did what? How?” She was wide awake now. “Nyla, you aren&rsq
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“Oh.” Eason turned round eyes to Nyla.“I’ve had excessive training on obstacle courses. I find them quite easy. But it’s been quite some time since I’ve practiced. Who knows how long it’ll take me,” lied Nyla. She walked over and stood before the peg wall, grabbing a peg in each hand. All she had to do was pull herself up the wall by placing a peg in one of the many holes going up, again and again, until she reached the top.Taking the peg in her right hand, she reached up and placed it in the highest hole she could reach. She followed with her left and then pulled herself up using just her arms. She froze with her feet off the ground, she counted to ten before removing the right peg and reaching up again, placing it in a higher hole. After counting to seven, she did the same with her left hand. Once both pegs were secure, she pulled herself up again. Repeating the pattern, Nyla inched her way up the wall, counting in be
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Nyla stayed in the hospital for an additional two days waiting for the wound to be completely healed and no longer tender. When she told Dr. Bunder she was ready to leave, the doctor told her, “We need to run some tests first, and then you’re free to go.”Automatically, Nyla’s mind went to the warning in her letter. She cast a glance at Eason, who was sitting by her bedside again. He met her eyes, a little crease forming between his eyebrows. “Are they really necessary? She says she’s feeling better, and Nyla would know best.”“I’m afraid they are. They’re the same tests you did last time you were here.” She paused, then continued, “You know how everything has to be documented because you’re a Menhit.” Seeing no way out of it, Nyla consented to the tests, praying nothing terrible would come of it. Perhaps th
