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Chapter 7.1
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Edmond was waiting for Nyla when she came downstairs the next morning. “I’m driving the three of you to school. Eason and Mason are already in the hovercar.” He turned on his heels and started down the hall. Nyla trailed after him. Edmond had never shown any interest in the day-to-day lives of his children, at least for as long as she’d been there. She slid into the back seat next to Eason who gave her a worried smile.
He knows something is wrong, just as I do.
The moment Edmond closed the driver’s side door, the real reason for the trip emerged. “Now listen,” Edmond demanded, giving his daughter a particularly nasty look. “Today is essential to my campaign. Eason, you will not leave Nyla’s side, even to use the restroom. Mason, I know you aren’t in the same classes, but whenever your paths cross, you will greet Nyla pleasantly.”
Mason gasped. “You’re asking me to commit soci
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“Not to be rude,” Eason said, sounding like he was trying to be as rude as possible, “but what do you want, Sarah? You never do something like ‘help’ unless you can get a story or some gossip out of it. I won’t allow you to make the situation worse for Nyla.”Sarah snorted while rolling her eyes. “I don’t gossip, Eason. I share information. Everything I share is true. It’s clear you don’t understand how valuable such talents are. But I have no interest in doing that to Nyla. I want to help make things go smoothly for her.”“You know you can address her. She’s sitting right here and speaks perfectly fine, probably better than either of us,” Eason grumbled, irritated at being reprimanded.Taken aback, Sarah turned towards Nyla with eyes as the size of saucers. “I’m sorry Nyla, I wasn’t trying to ignore you.”“It’s okay,” Nyla s
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“How can you do that?” Sarah demanded, stopping her twirl to rush at Nyla and look intently at her mouth. “Smile, I mean. You shouldn’t be able to.”Nyla sat down and grabbed the sack lunch Eason offered. “I don’t know. Eason taught me how to do it by explaining to me what happiness feels like. Since then, I’ve been able to smile when I want to.”“Nyla,” Eason hissed. “I don’t think this is a good idea.” He jerked his head in Sarah’s direction. “You can’t trust her.”“I can hear you,” huffed Sarah. “And you can trust me.”“I trust her,” Nyla surprised herself by saying. She just had a feeling that everything would be alright with Sarah.Grinning victoriously, Sarah inched closer to inspect Nyla’s lips. “Happy? So that means you can feel happiness?”“Yes.”“W
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While wiping the thick fluid out of her eyes, Nyla heard the crowd laughing loudly. “Look at the killer now!”Nyla stood there, unsure of what to do. Covered in blood from head to toe, she knew that her clothing was ruined. She stared silently at the crowd before her, who were all laughing and jeering at her. Something fiery and hot rose within her, and her hands balled into fists.Don’t do anything. Don’t do anything.The clatter of someone climbing down the ladder froze her tormentors. “Oh shit,” the leader called, turning and rushing down the stairs. The rest of his group quickly followed.Nyla turned carefully in the puddle of blood and waited for Sarah or Eason to open the door. She could hear both of their voices bickering behind the wall. Their conversation ended when they swung the door open and saw her.“Nyla!” Sarah screamed.Eason rushed to her side, slipping on the bloody f
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The door opened, startling her. “Oh, there you are. Come in, come in.” Edmond ushered her inside. His tone was perfectly pleasant, no hint of anger remaining. The sudden change in him made Nyla uneasy. “Sit,” he directed her to the chair in front of his desk. Nyla sat.Without preamble, he said, “You did well today, Nyla.”Nyla stared at Edmond stunned, forgetting that he expected a reply. After several moments she hastily said, “Thank you.”With a great sigh, he settled himself into his chair. A self-satisfied grin appeared on his lips. “I’ve leaked the events today to the media. Your lack of response when attacked has garnered intense sympathy. One of the students took pictures, and we’ve been able to retrieve them and slip them to the media as well. My campaign has recovered from the backlash of your introduction, and the MRP approval rating has gone through the roof. In fact, my entire campaig
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Gunfire echoed around Nyla as she sprinted through the night. She didn’t pause as her platoon members called out to her.“Major!” she screamed, her voice hoarse from breathing in the smokey air.An enemy soldier emerged from the night and sprinted towards her. She sent him flying with one swipe of her arm. He hit one of the few trees in the town square with a sickening crunch before falling to the ground, dead. Nyla didn’t give the body a second glance.Out of the darkness, the labored breathing of hundreds of men rose, but Nyla sought only one: the Major’s. She knew his breathing better than she knew her own. Finally, the signal she had been waiting for appeared – she heard him whisper her name. In seconds she was by his side behind the half wall where he had taken refuge.There was blood soaking his front. “Major! What happened to you! Where are you shot?”
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Edmond insisted that Nyla return to school the next day, despite Veronica and Eason’s protests.“Really, Edmond? After what happened yesterday? Let the poor girl have a day of rest!” Veronica chastised.Eason added, “Seriously, Dad. I can go, but let Nyla stay home today.”“I can go,” Nyla piped up. She had been standing in the doorway unnoticed.“See, Nyla says she can go,” Edmond declared, finishing the argument.Walking towards the hovercar, Eason leaned over and whispered, “You don’t have to do this, no matter what Dad says. Mom will back you on this one.”“No, I want to go to school.” She added at his dubious glance, “I want everything to go back to normal. I don’t want to have to think about it anymore.”“If you say so.”To their surprise, Edmond got behind the wheel again. Exchanging glances, Eason and Nyla s
What Is Love? Chapter 10.2
“They’re not private enough for him,” he replied, watching the hologram greet Sarah.“Is something wrong, dear? Why are you calling me from school? Did another incident occur?” the little hologram woman asked.“No, Mom, nothing like that. I was calling to see if Eason and Nyla could come over after school.”The tiny figure froze for a moment before she started nodding her head, craning her neck as if trying to see them. “Eason Braun? And Nyla? Yes, of course, that wouldn’t be a problem. I’m meeting with the Governor in a few moments, do you want me to ask for them?”Sarah raised her head towards Eason, who nodded. “Yes, Mom, that’d be great. We’ll see you when we get home.”“Love you, sweetie. See you all later!” The call clicked off, and the hologram disappeared.“Well, that’s settled then,” Sarah sighed. “I should w
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Their conversation was interrupted by Sarah’s parents entering the room and sitting down next to their daughter. Earnestly, Sarah’s mother looked at Nyla. “Dear, would it be too much for you to tell us about the day you saved Dylan?” “Mom!” Dylan hissed. His cheeks tinged red. “Seriously, Mom, she's a guest,” Sarah added. “I don’t mind,” Nyla said, drawing everyone’s gaze. She looked back blandly. “Well, thank you,” Dylan’s father chimed in, solemn and serious. Nyla thought back to that night. She remembered it perfectly, just like
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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
