"Gu, the mighty naga... when can I learn something more advanced? I've been practicing for a week!" Sarah said impatiently.

 "Now, I can control when I want to see the spirit particles. If I want to see it, I can see it. If I don't, it'll disappear." She said proudly.

"That is excellent. You need to be able to switch on and off your ability by your own will, otherwise your energy will be drained," Gu nodded approvingly, "now, we can move on to the next lesson."

"Seeing spirit particles is my ability?" Sarah's brows crinkled.

"No. Everyone can see spirit particles if they focus well enough, especially if they have a strong sixth sense," his wise eyes locked with Sarah's, "Your power is telepathy."

Instantly, gloom surrounded her. 

"Telepathy is so lame. Sending messages? You have smartphones for that."

"Telepathy is so much more than that. If you can master it, you can even manipulate minds." He explained patiently.

Sarah gasped. She never expected telepathy to be powerful.

"For now, I need you to learn how to send messages to me telepathically. At the same time, you need to learn how to build a mental shield. Make sure I can't read your mind!" Gu said.

Sarah's eyes blinked rapidly in confusion. "Giving me two tasks simultaneously?"

Gu nodded his head but his eyes were focused behind her. "I'll teach you later, someone is coming this way. Don't talk to me if you don't want to be considered crazy. This is why telepathy is important."

Hearing footsteps behind her, Sarah turned around.

Seeing a familiar face, her tense demeanour relaxed. It was the girl she bumped into last week. 

Last week when she bumped into her, that girl was carrying a lot of books for the senior. This day, she was carrying a lot of food.

The girl was walking slowly, trying to make sure none of the food will fall down. Her unshed tears caused her eyes to be slightly red at the edges.

Sarah normally wouldn't care much about others but this girl looked so pitiful. "Do you need any help?"

The girl paused and said softly, "no."

"The seniors are forcing you to buy their food." Sarah said sympathetically.

"Why do you care? You have Sheila's protection."

"Sarah, if you believe in Sheila's words, this is the girl that sold you out to the suspicious person." Gu reminded Sarah.

Sheila's body full of bruises entered her mind. 

Her bruises were healing fairly well, but some green and yellow marks were still there. It contrasted against her fair skin, like splotches of paint on a blank white canvas.

"I need to ask you something," Sarah hoped that she will answer, "Did you tell anything to my male cousin last week?"

"Male cousin... I still can't believe that handsome guy is your cousin. Why don't you answer his calls? He has been looking for you all this while."

"What did you tell him?"

"I don't know you very well, so I told him to ask Sheila, who was walking past us."

Sarah sighed. "That guy is not my cousin. Sheila was beaten by him."

"Finally, Maya hears good news!" The girl, Maya, suddenly laughed hysterically.

Sarah couldn't believe her eyes. Where was the pitiful little bunny? Who was the cackling hag in front of her? Even her way of speaking was different. Was her previous manner just an illusion*?

"How can you be happy with someone's misfortune?"

"Maya is happy when people Maya dislike fall from their high perch. Serves them right."

Sarah was shocked. She sounded so childlike** yet so cruel.

"Maya can't wait to see you fall too, Sarah Goh binti Yusuf Goh." She smiled gleefully.

Sarah looked at her in confusion.

"It's so easy for you to 'help' when you're not in this situation. You have the money to pay for protection, you'll never understand what Maya is going through! Maya hates it when you look at me with pity." Maya ranted on.

"Maya doesn't understand why people treat you nicely just because mixed people are unique. Let me tell you, no one really likes you!

"You don't belong anywhere. You are not Malay, nor are you Chinese. You are just a mixed mongrel." She was uncontrollable.

"Maya hope that guy beats you up too!" She shifted the food that she was holding, "See you later, mixed blood."

Sarah frowned at the slender back walking further away from her. Her mind couldn't process the change in Maya.

Did she drop her act because Sheila is injured? Because no one will be protecting me?

"Well... don't listen to her. She's a two-faced devil." Gu said awkwardly, trying his best to comfort Sarah. He never comforted anyone before.

Sarah looked at Gu emotionlessly.

"Humans are two-faced creatures. Look at Sheila, she acts so tough in front of me but she still helps me in her own way. Look at Maya, she looks so pitiful but she hates me."

"But Sarah, you are   ̶ "

"The same. Look at me, I act so docile in front of them, but in reality, I just don't care. All I want is a life free from unnecessary troubles."

"In the end, the facades are just another part of human life." Sarah said.

"That is twisted." Gu frowned.

"That's reality. Now, I have someone suspicious stalking me, all because of you. You better teach me how to use the power, to redeem yourself. I never asked for all this."

"I will," Gu promised, "but are you sure you're fine?"

Sarah's eyes were filled with coldness that surprised Gu. "I will make sure I will be fine."

If I don't, how will I survive?

*****

*Maya is a real name; one of its meaning is illusion.

**Calling yourself by your name is considered childish or cute by some people. Very informal.

This chapter is dedicated to all my loyal readers, thank you for sticking with Sarah and the crew! I made it this far with your support. Thank you. 

Picture: Deemo Masked Lady by unknown artist. If you know the artist, please let me know. I will credit her/him. 

If you want Sarah to smile warmly, do click the star and comment! (That might take a while, though!)

Trying-to-balance-life,

Eireen x