WARNING:
EMOTIONAL CONTENT.
Includes mentions of death, bereavement, emotional distress.

The next few hours felt like heaven to Raphael.
If he had the opportunity for some retrospection, he probably would've been surprised that catching up with an old friend was the thing that made him feel most joyful.
Not finishing a robotics project he spent ages working on, or winning an argument with someone.
Sure, those things brought him joy, but they never brought him peace.
A sense of calm.
The feeling that everything was alright. 

"Oh, I forgot to tell you something", said Natasha.
"Remember that necklace you made me? With the special gem in it?
I still have it!"

Raphael's eyes widened.
"Really?
You kept it for all these years?"

Natasha nodded.
"Of course I did!
But Head Guard Aoife made me hand it in because I refused to take it off.
She said it would get caught in things easily, or it could be used as a weapon against me if I got strangled with it."

"Oh!
Well, it still means a lot to me that you kept it."

Raphael frowned when he saw the time on his tablet. 

"I have to get some sleep.
I have a ridiculously busy day tomorrow", he said.

Natasha's bright eyes grew bigger and her eyebrows furrowed.
Her mouth melted into a deep frown.
She shook her head, refusing to believe her old friend's words. 

"But I don't want to leave you!", she exclaimed. 

Raphael froze, momentarily taken aback by her words. 

"You... you don't?"

"I don't ever want to leave you again."

The tall boy was overjoyed to hear those words.
Words he had been waiting to hear his whole life.
He was so elated at finally hearing those words, that his ordinarily astute mind didn't pick up on how odd the words sounded, coming from Natasha.
There was a sense of urgency, of desperation in her tone.
Of determination. 

Raphael sighed.
"We could get into trouble.
I tell you what, I'll come and find you after my first session tomorrow, ok?"

Natasha's frown deepened and her bottom lip started to stick out, as if she were a child who had been refused a late bed time. Raphael wavered, unsure if he even wanted to go to his sessions tomorrow.
Out there, everyone hated him.
Within the confines of this room, in this moment, he was actually loved.
Ultimately, he decided that he didn't want anything bad to happen to Natasha. 

"I promise I'll come find you tomorrow."

Natasha held out for a few more seconds, sighing when she realised he wasn't going to change his mind.
She held her arms out, surprising Raphael. He couldn't remember the last time he hugged someone.
Hugs were not something Raphael usually gave, most likely because he never received them.
Slowly, Raphael opened his arms, carefully placing them under Natasha's.
His movements were so gentle, as if he was afraid he'd snap her in half.
Natasha hugged him back, her grip on him tightening.

It didn't feel like a hug between two old friends.
Natasha squeezed a little more, like a boa constrictor refusing to let go of its prey.
Only when Raphael let go did she loosen her grip.
Raphael smiled softly at her. 

"Good night, Natasha."

Natasha furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. 

"Natasha?
Why so formal?
It's Nana, remember?"

Meanwhile, the sound of faint grunting could be heard from one of the fitness rooms.
This room was one of the rooms often used by agents who did not want to train on the Training Grounds.
It was home to most of the combat equipment used.
Alessa was pummelling one of the training dummies.
She opted for the more life-like opponent, as opposed to a punching bag.
It was easier to envision the people she wanted to hurt.
She moved her hair to the back, getting annoyed with it constantly sticking to the small sweat droplets that had formed on her face.
The droplets also dripped down her neck, lightly coating her collarbones, which defined them more.
A scowl remained on her face as she continued to punch the training dummy. 

The door opened, revealing a laughing Imelda, who was looking at Finian.
They stopped in their tracks when they saw Alessa. 

"Oh!
Sorry, we didn't know you'd be in here", said Imelda. 

"Is there like a special guest list for who can use this room now?", asked Alessa. 

Imelda frowned, jerking her head back a little in surprise at Alessa's attitude. 

"Uh... no, but we come here almost every night to get in some extra practise and we've never seen you, that's all", she said. 

"Yeah well I wanted to get in some practise too", said Alessa. 

Imelda nodded.
"Cool."

Alessa's punches became more forceful and her grunts were louder.
Imelda sighed, before walking closer to Alessa and grabbing her arm.
Alessa quickly pulled away, anger washing over her. 

"Get off!", she yelled.

"Alessa, listen.
We need to talk about what happened at the atrium", said Imelda.

"Oh you mean when none of you had my back?", she questioned.

"Alessa that's not fair", she said.
"We have always been there for you."

"Imelda's right", said Finian.
"We can love and be there for you but that doesn't mean blindly supporting you when you're in the wrong."

Alessa scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Whatever helps you sleep better at night, right?
You guys are the reason Aoife kicked me off the Agoraville case."

"What, she kicked you off?", questioned Imelda. 

"Maybe it's for the best.
You were too close to the mission from the start.
It was only going to cause you more pain", said Finian.

Alessa kissed her teeth and curled her lips up in disgust. 

Imelda's eyes widened in surprise. 

"Oh, absolutely not", said Imelda.
"I've had enough of this.
Alessa, come with us."

"No way", responded Alessa.
"I'm not going anywhere with you traitors!"

Imelda's eyes widened again.
"Oh you've royally messed up now, Arden. Move your a** now!"

When Alessa turned away, an agitated Imelda grabbed her arm, pulling her towards the door.
Finian followed after them, unsure of what Imelda's plan was.
Despite her protesting, Imelda managed to drag Alessa all the way to her room.
She let Alessa go, pushing her with such force that she ended up falling onto the bed.
She disappeared, leaving Alessa and Finian alone.
Finian tried to remain stoic, but he couldn't help but feel sadness for his friend.
She had fallen so far from grace, and he just couldn't see a way to lift her up again. 

Imelda returned, with Astra, Oren and Faizah following after her.
Once everyone was in the room, Imelda closed the door. 

"What are they doing here?", questioned Alessa, folding her arms. 

" 'They', are your friends, Alessa.
We are your friends", replied Imelda.
"We are going to sort this mess out once and for all", she added, before turning to the others.
"Now, who wants to start?"

"Um, what do we say exactly?", asked Astra. 

"Whatever you want.
Just tell Alessa how her actions have made you feel."

"Who said I cared?", asked Alessa.
"None of you–"

"Wait your turn, Alessa", said Imelda, before turning back to Astra. 

Astra inhaled slowly, before exhaling in a sharp, short breath. 

"I... I know I haven't really said much about how you've changed.
I guess that's because I've never been through what you have.
I thought this was natural.
I thought... I thought we'd get you back soon", admitted Astra. 

A look of indifference was still on Alessa's face, but her muscles weren't tensed as much and she wasn't sitting up as straight anymore. 

"I mean, for me... I felt responsible for you changing", admitted Finian.
"I kept beating myself up for not following after you and Faizah when you went to Agoraville."

"And why didn't you?", asked Alessa. 

Finian sighed, pausing as he tried to think of an explanation. 

"I don't know.
I really wish I did though."

Imelda smiled sadly, reaching out and placing a hand on Finian's arm.
He looked at her, subtly nodding to show his gratitude.
Imelda turned to Oren, who was trying his best not to look at Alessa. 

"Oren?
What about you?", asked Imelda.

"I... I think I made myself clear already.
In fact, I think I should go", said Oren. 

"No, Oren, please", said Imelda.
"Say what you feel."

"Say what I feel?", he asked.
"I don't think I can."

"Come on, Oren.
This is a safe space", said Astra.
"Maybe this can reach Alessa–"

"Reach Alessa?", he repeated.
"Nothing can reach her!
She's lied, humiliated and disrespected so many people.
She... she's got this, this darkness in her heart now."

"What, so you're saying we should just give up on her?", asked Faizah.

Oren's face softened when he looked at Faizah. 

"No, I'm not saying–"

"Then what are you saying?", she asked. 

"I'm saying I failed!", he exclaimed.

The others froze, unsure of what to do.
They weren't used to seeing Oren like this. So... hopeless.

"I failed", he repeated, his voice significantly quieter.
"I couldn't pull her out of her sadness.
Of her pain and her anger.
Do you think that's easy to face?
She was one of my best friends... and I couldn't help her."

"Oren...", said Astra, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"None of us could."

"But I should have been able to", said Oren, finally turning to face Alessa.
"You think I just hate you and gave up on you.
I know everyone thinks that.
But I don't hate you.
You saved me from bullies, from training stress, from... from myself.
That meant everything to me.
So when I look back on those memories, all I feel is pain.
I just feel pain because... I lost one of the people that mean the most to me.
And nothing I, or any of us seems to do, can bring you back."

Alessa's annoyance melted away when she heard Oren's heartfelt words.
It hurt to see him, and her other friends, so upset at her actions.
But the girl Oren mentioned, the one who protected him, felt like a stranger.
Or rather, someone she used to know.  
A distant relative she visited only on holidays or a childhood friend she lost touch with. 

It didn't feel like her.

"Look, Alessa...", started Imelda.
"... whenever we went on missions, I was probably a lot more ruthless than I needed to be.
To be honest, I was like that because I was desperate to protect you guys.
I didn't want to lose you in the field.
I just... I never thought I'd have to worry about losing you off it too."

"That's how I feel too", said Faizah, taking Alessa by surprise. 

Alessa's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, and she turned her whole body so that she was properly facing Faizah. 

"What are you talking about Faizah?", questioned Alessa. 

For the first time since Imelda brought everyone inside, Alessa noticed the tears in her best friend's eyes. 

"When I followed you into Agoraville, I think part of me wanted to believe I was going to help the Agoravillians.
And a part of me did want to, but the main reason I went, the reason I was willing to sacrifice my life... was for you.
I almost died trying to stop you from becoming someone you weren't.
Someone you hated.
But... it was all for nothing because I lost you anyway."

◆◆◆

A series of quick and loud knocks on the door woke Raphael up.
Well, he woke up ten minutes prior, but couldn't find the strength to actually get out of bed.
He got up, readjusting his black vest.
His muscles were becoming more defined, thanks to all of the physical training he had to do.
The first time he noticed, he had to look in the mirror again, just to be sure.
He noticed that he had been getting some approving looks from some of the other agents, which he did think was quite flattering. 

He opened the door, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion when he saw Ashryn.
She had her usual uniform on, and her shoulder length blonde hair was styled into two Dutch braids.
It wasn't necessarily her appearance that surprised Raphael, but rather the way she was carrying herself.
Her facial expressions suggested that she was unbothered, but her straight posture and folded arms gave off the impression that she meant business.
The chunky, knee-length black boots she wore also helped.
Raphael found himself hoping that they didn't have to practise their kicks in combat training today. 

What surprised Raphael the most though, was that she was at his door. 

"Ashryn?
What are you doing here?"

Ashryn's eyes flickered to his biceps for just a couple of seconds, before looking back up at his face. 

"Why aren't you dressed?
Our fitness session starts in five minutes", she replied. 

"I'll answer your question if you answer mine."

Ashryn rolled her eyes, taking a step back. 

"We don't have time for this, Robo Boy.
Just hurry up and get dressed."

With everything going on in her life, Ashryn realised she had been rejecting the original mission.
She may have lost all respect she ever had for the agency, but she knew that the Agoravillians were not to blame for that, or for the loss of her siblings.
She wouldn't feel any remorse for destroying the agency, but she couldn't bring herself to let down the helpless Agoravillians.
That wasn't how her parents raised her. 

She had strayed quite a bit from the way her parents brought her up.
She stole and ruined lives, all in the hopes of keeping herself and her siblings safe.
But her twin brother, Harrison, was by far the kindest sibling.
He had a heart that was ten times bigger than Ashryn's.
Even if she wasn't as concerned with pleasing her parents, she did want to honour his memory. 

The door to Raphael's ensuite bathroom opened up, revealing Natasha.
She was running a towel through her damp hair, and had one of Raphael's shirts on. Raphael's mouth opened in surprise, and Ashryn's eyes widened just a little. 

"Did you two...?"

Raphael quickly turned his head back to look at Ashryn. 

"What?
No!
We–"

Ashryn scoffed.
"I don't even know why I'm surprised.
I've seen you flirt with anything that has a pulse."

"Wait, that's simply not tr–"

"Ah, so is this the real reason your goody-two-shoes friends dropped you?", asked Ashryn.
"Because you broke Arden's no romance rule?"

"Ashryn, you've got the wrong idea, we–"

Ashryn put a hand up, silencing Raphael. 

"I really don't care.
Do what you want", she said, before walking away.

Raphael moved to follow her, but felt a hand wrap tightly around his wrist.
He turned to see a frowning Natasha.
The sound of a group of agents made Raphael quickly close his door again, before turning back to Natasha. 

"Natasha!
H-How did you even get in here?"

Natasha giggled innocently.
"I have my ways."

"But seriously, the door was lock–"

"You have your password saved on your tablet."

Raphael's eyes widened.
"You went through my tablet?"

"I don't like her."

"Who?"

"That blonde girl."

"Oh, Ashryn?
She's harmless.
Well, no, she's really not actually."

"I bet I could take her."

"Take her?"

Natasha nodded.
"I'll make her sorry she was ever mean to you."

"No, Natasha... that's just what she's like."

Natasha frowned.
"Well I don't trust her.
Just say the word and I'll get rid of her for you."

Raphael couldn't believe he was hearing these words coming out of Natasha's mouth. The Natasha he knew hated confrontation and violence.
She was heartbroken for weeks when she found a badly injured cat in her garden. 

"Natasha, are you ok?"

Natasha's smile grew instantly, a wild and intense look appearing in her eyes.
She grabbed hold of Raphael's hand, swaying it from side to side. 

"I'm great!
So, what do you want to do now?
Share more stories?"

"Oh, I... I'd love to.
But I have to get to my combat class."

Natasha's smile fell, her grip on Raphael's hand tightening. 

"No!
I want you to stay here, with me."

"I'll get in trouble if I miss my class, remember?"

Raphael groaned as he felt Natasha squeeze his hand with more force.
He wriggled his hand, exhaling a sigh of relief when she let go of him. 

"I'll be right back, ok?
Just wait in your room and when I finish I'll go to the hallway where I first found you."

"You promise?"

Raphael nodded.
As he turned away, Natasha's eyes darkened. She glared at him as he tried to get ready for his combat session. 

At combat training, the trainees were put into pairs. Rhiannon and Makoto were together and Ashryn and Raphael were together.

"So, we're going to watch you spar", said Imelda. 

"Remember, light punches and kicks, alright?
You don't want to do actual physical harm to each other right now", clarified Finian. 

Raphael turned to Ashryn, who looked like she was desperate to cause actual physical harm to him.
He threw the first jab, wanting to have the upper hand.
Ashryn expertly parried, blocking Raphael's fist before it could reach her face.
After attempting to jab a couple more times, Ashryn blocked his third attempt, before throwing a jab with her other fist, connecting with Raphael's face.
The punch hurt a little, but nowhere near as much as he knew it would if Ashryn had actually used her full force.
Raphael tried to focus and gain the upper hand, but his mind kept wandering back to Natasha, and her strange behaviour earlier. 

"If you fight like this in Agoraville you can forget about protecting others, you won't even be able to protect yourself", said Ashryn.
"You'll be dead in seconds."

Raphael frowned, the reality of Ashryn's words really hitting him.
They stung far more than any punch could. He wouldn't last ten seconds in Agoraville. He'd be dead.

And no one would remember him. 

At least, not as someone they cared about. 

He'd die unloved with not a single person that missed him. 

Meanwhile, Rhiannon was dominating the sparring session with Makoto.
At first, she tried to go easy on them, but when she saw that they were barely trying, she decided to give them no option but to fight harder.

"Makoto, what are you doing?", asked Rhiannon. 

Makoto just stood there, both arms shielding their face. 

"Throw a punch!", she called out. 

Rhiannon's shouting caught Finian's attention.
When he looked at Makoto, he frowned. Finian nudged Imelda and gestured for her to look at them.
She sighed and shook her head as she watched Makoto refuse to fight. 

"That's all we have time for today", said Finian.
"We're really impressed with most of you. Now get cleaned up and head to your next session."

"In our next session, you'll get the chance to fight one of us", said Imelda.
"So you better bring your A game!"

"And Makoto?", called out Finian.
"I'm gonna be the one to fight against you, so I suggest you fix this poor attitude of yours and start getting involved."

After the combat session, Raphael was walking back to his room.
Ashryn walked past him, not acknowledging him.
Raphael picked up the pace, slowly down again when he reached her so that he could match her pace.
Ashryn rolled her eyes and folded her arms. 

"Look, Ashryn, that girl in my room–"

"Oh my gosh, I literally do not care, Robo Boy!
You can do whatever you want, it's your life."

"I know but I wouldn't do that.
Definitely not with her", he said, earning a scowl from Ashryn.
"I just mean... we're just friends."

"I'm surprised you actually have other friends aside from Rhiannon and Makoto", she said.
"Still don't know how you managed to get them as friends actually."

Raphael furrowed his eyebrows, confused at Ashryn's attitude.
He placed a hand in front of her, making her stop. 

"Are you... jealous?"

Ashryn's eyes widened, and she scoffed with such intensity that Raphael thought she was trying to cough something back up, like a cat.

"Don't be stupid!"

"I'm not, you just sound rather jealous, that's all."

Raphael couldn't help but smile.
With everything that had been going on with Rhiannon, Raphael started to feel like he was losing himself a little.
He didn't realise how much he missed his banter with Ashryn.
He never felt like he had to hide that side away from her.

"I'm not jealous, Robo Boy.
It just threw me off a bit when you all started hanging out more."

"Why, because I usually spent my time with you?"

Ashryn paused, trying to figure out what she wanted to say. 

"You uh, you just seemed really busy lately", said Raphael.
"I didn't think you wanted to be my friend anymore."

"Friend never entered the equation.
But the world doesn't revolve around you, you know.
Some of us have important stuff to deal with.
Stop being so sensitive about every little thing", she said, before walking away.

Raphael went to unlock his door, Ashryn's words still playing in his head.
He couldn't help but smile when he remembered all of the things he and Ashryn had gotten up to.
He opened the door, a smile still on his face.

"What took you so long?", asked Natasha, making Raphael jump.

"H-Huh?"

"Your combat session ended five minutes ago", said Natasha.
"And I heard you outside.
Chatting to that... girl", she added, her lips curling up in disgust.

There was something so strange about Natasha.
She wasn't warm and gentle, like she used to be.
Now, she was irritable and on edge.
There was a sort of desperation in her tone and actions, but Raphael couldn't figure out why.

"Natasha... are you ok?", asked Raphael. "You're acting... different."

"Different?
How do you mean?"

"Well... you just seem a little snappy.
And, um, you don't seem like yourself."

"Like myself?", questioned Natasha, her jaw clenching.
"Is it anyone wonder I'm not like myself when you keep running off?
You're the only person that makes me feel like myself."

She stepped closer to him, but her tone of voice was so commanding that Raphael didn't notice how close she was actually getting.
She reached out and grabbed hold of his arm, digging her nails into his skin.

"Don't ever leave again."

Raphael winced, trying his best to break free from her grasp.

"Natasha... please.
I-I need to go."

Natasha shook her head.
"No.
I can't let you go.
Not again."

"I'll be back.
Please, I-I... they'll come looking for me!"

Natasha froze, her grip on Raphael's arm weakening.
Raphael nodded, letting out a very small breath of relief.

"Yes, the agents they'll... they'll be mad if I don't show up.
Then they'll find out where I am and, um, k-keep us apart."

Natasha let go of Raphael's arm, her eyebrows furrowing as she processed what he had said.

"Hmm... that is a good point.
Ok.
You can leave, but I want you to come back straight after", said Natasha.
"And no talking to that girl."

Raphael watched as Natasha's eyes, and indeed whole expression, darkened.
This wasn't Natasha.
Not the Natasha he knew.
It couldn't be.

What happened to her?

◆◆◆

During tech training, the trainees were practising using all of the gadgets they have been introduced to so far.
Rhiannon held the small metal stick that froze water.
She held it up against a water bottle, pressing down on the button.
A luminescent, electric blue beam of light shone on the bottle, gradually freezing the water inside it. 

"I still can't get over how cool this gadget is", said Rhiannon. 

"Why are we practising with all of the equipment now?", asked Makoto. 

"Right, well...", started Knox.
"...we have some news for you.
In the next couple of days, you are going to be doing your final exams."

"Exam?", questioned Rhiannon. 

Knox nodded.
"You will be tested in all areas of training. What will happen is, you will be put in simulated scenarios where you have to use the knowledge that you've gained in your training sessions."

"Why are you only telling us about this now?", asked an annoyed Ashryn. 

"The element of surprise is important", said Knox.
"You'll probably start to feel the nerves soon, and that's good.
The nerves will be even more intense when it comes to the actual battle.
So, this will give you the opportunity to learn how to control them."

"Oren's techniques should help you with that", added Minerva.

While Minerva and Knox were answering some of Makoto's questions, Raphael pulled Ashryn to the side. 

Ashryn rolled her eyes.
"What do you want now, Robo Boy?
Are you obsessed with me or something?"

Raphael looked into Ashryn's eyes, nerves building up inside him.
Ashryn noticed the change in his usual demeanour, her eyebrows knitting in concern as he anxiously played with his fingers. 

"What is it?", she asked. 

"I... I need your help."

Ashryn raised an eyebrow at this.
"My help?"

Raphael nodded.
"That girl from before–"

Ashryn groaned and rolled her eyes, before pulling away.
Raphael reached out and grabbed hold of her arm. 

"Listen, please", he pleaded.
"She's a childhood friend of mine.
We were ten when she had to move away.
I saw her the other day and we've been catching up.
Everything was fine, but now she's acting... weird."

"Weird how?"

"Possessive?
Controlling... just, something feels off.
She's never been like that.
She's been in my room all this time and refuses to leave.
I need to figure out what's wrong with her before she, I don't know, gets violent."

"And you're telling me all this?", questioned Ashryn, before nodding her head in Rhiannon and Makoto's direction.
"Why not ask your new best buddies?"

Raphael frowned, looking down.
"They're not my best friends.
They're not even my friends.
They... they never were."

Ashryn's face softened, just a little.
She told herself the main reason she felt sorry for him was because of how pathetic he was acting.
The once confident and cocky inventor had been reduced to a frightened wreck.
But maybe... maybe there was a part of her that genuinely felt sadness at the obvious stress Raphael was experiencing. 

Ashryn exhaled sharply, throwing her arms in the air. 

"Fine.
Whatever.
I'll help you."

Raphael's face lit up, just for a split second. He let out a huge sigh of relief, a small smile appearing on his face.
He gently squeezed Ashryn's arm, before letting go. 

"Thank you!
Honestly, I cannot thank you enough.
Um... she had an accident in the field a while ago, so maybe there will be some information in her medical files that will explain her behaviour?
Oh wait, but how will you hack into the systems?"

Ashryn smirked.
"That won't be a problem."

Raphael furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.
"But, when you wanted to get files from the Head Guards I had to–"

"Like I said before, the world doesn't revolve around you.
I didn't need you back then."

A small, mischievous smile appeared on Raphael's face. 

"What, so you just... wanted me?"

A mischievous glint appeared in Raphael's eyes, for the first time in a while.
Raphael sure had gotten up to his fair share of mischief, but that was just so he could get the information he wanted.
Being able to just be cheeky and, somewhat carefree, was a luxury he had only really gotten to feel with Ashryn.

Ashryn shoved her elbow into his ribs, making him wince. 

"Shut up or I won't help you, Robo Boy."

Raphael held his hands up.
"Alright, alright!
Whatever you desire, Blondie."

After the tech class, Ashryn went to the Training Grounds.
The only time Ashryn had been to the Clinic was for her health examination.
There was usually one or two doctors in the main area, as the patients who needed long-term care were placed in a ward that Ashryn had never been to.
It made logical sense that patient files would be kept in the Clinic, but Ashryn couldn't think of a reason to go. 

"Ashryn, hi!", beamed Sophia, waving as she approached Ashryn.
"I haven't seen you in a while.
I'm so sorry.
I've just been so busy hanging out with Olga. How is training going?"

"Uh, good", she replied. 

Sophia smiled as she waited there silently, clearly expecting her to elaborate.
When Ashryn stayed silent, Sophia nodded. A lightbulb went off in Ashryn's head. 

"Do you want to spar with me?", asked Ashryn.
"It would really help me prepare for the upcoming simulation test we have soon."

"Oh!
Well, of course I'll help!
And don't worry too much about the simulation—the room you do it in is so cool!"

"Have you used it before?"

Sophia nodded.
"Most agents will use it atleast once before they are allowed to go out into the field for real.
But I volunteered to look after it for a couple months when I was, fifteen I think? So I got to learn how it works."

Ashryn let Sophia continue talking while she took her fighting stance.
She threw a few punches, surprised when Sophia blocked every one.
Sophia threw a punch with expert speed and precision.
Ashryn couldn't hide her surprise.

Sophia chuckled.
"Surprised, are you?
Combat is kind of my speciality."

"It is?
But you're so..."

"Yeah, I guess you wouldn't expect it by looking at me", said Sophia.
"I don't look like a super strong warrior, like Imelda.
Or a bad*ss like you.
But I can hold my own."

Sophia's humbleness would've confused Ashryn if it came from anyone else but her. It made perfect sense though.
Sophia seemed like the kind of person who always flew under the radar.
Ashryn didn't think Sophia was particularly special.

But maybe she was wrong.

In fact, it almost made her feel bad about what she did next.

Without warning, Ashryn swung her fist, connecting with Sophia's face.
The agent stumbled back, letting out a loud groan of surprise.
She clutched her face, wincing as her fingers brushed against the painful area.

"Oh!
I'm so sorry!", exclaimed Ashryn.
"I got carried away."

"N-No, it's... it's ok."

Ashryn shook her head.
"It's not.
Here, let me take you to the Clinic."

_

Hi.

I haven't been in the right headspace with this, so I decided to leave it for a bit so I can come back with more energy for it. I'm still struggling a bit to be honest. I'm not well, and haven't been for about a week, so I'm sure that has played a part in it.

I split part 2, because it was at about 6,000 words (edit: now about 5,000) and I hadn't even gotten to like the main parts yet. So there will be a part 3 to the Nana storyline.

The Alessa part—we finally got to see the whole friendship group open up about how Alessa's actions have impacted them.  I hope the emotion still translates, despite not seeing much of Alessa with people other than Faizah and Oren. All of the friends' words and feelings hit hard for me, but I think Faizah's packs the biggest punch, because she literally risked her life to stop Alessa from, not only getting seriously hurt/dying, but also to stop her from being completely consumed from all the hate she had been feeling for a year after her mother died. But in the end, they both bore the scars. What do you think of this?

For Raphael & Ashryn—we haven't seen them interact in a while. I feel like they have a special kind of chemistry, but their kind of banter is hard for me to write without seeming cringy. Or atleast, that's what I think. But essentially, I like them as a pairing because they both wear their dark sides on their sleeves in a way, and that makes it easier for them to be themselves because they know the other won't judge. That doesn't mean it makes it easier for them to be vulnerable with each other though. Not yet, atleast. Also, Ashryn's line about the world not revolving around Raphael and to stop being sensitive sounds harsh, but it actually helped Raphael a bit, because it put into perspective that, just because your friends don't dedicate all their time to you, doesn't mean they don't care about you or aren't your friends. That's something Raphael doesn't really know, given his past. What do you think about them?

Something is very, very wrong with Natasha. What could it be?

I would love to hear your thoughts on these two chapters so far!

DoodleYeet

LeMystical-Puffle

ruesbennett

niallhoranslovebot

bardsarethebest