[Y/N] - Your Name
[M/N] - Middle Name
[L/N] - Last Name
I
["Talking"]
["SCREAMING"]
["Whispering"]
["Thinking"]

[==========================]

-> [ARTISTS / SERIES USED]
- lilredbeany.

<<<<<< I >[---]< I >>>>>>

Ashlyn: ["That... Would make sense..."]

Her eyes darted down to the table where she hummed quietly. Taking into consideration Logan's words and theory about the distance, as well as the "reset" that would occur in case the bodies ever went too-far apart from one another. Alongside her, in the table, was the rest of the group, with Y/N being the only one who was really eating whatever slop that a school cafeteria would grant the title of "food".

Ashlyn: ["So, the question is, how far would be this distance limit?"] Her green eyes moved up from the table, and towards Logan ["And, if traveled too far in the Phantom dimension,would our bodies also change locations?"]

Logan: ["That's also a possibility... But there is also the fact that things don't move the same way in the Phantom dimension"] He answered back, nodding along and not noticing the tiresome eyes of Aiden by his side ["I'm not sure how to test it, though"]

To the blonde, everything slowly began to descend deeper and deeper into a nonsensical madness of theory this, or theory that. Always something here or there that would catch his attention for the wrong reason — It made him sleepy. His smile still prevalent, his eyes twitching, everything was but a jumbled "blah blah blah" to his ears. And, as crazy and fearless as Aiden was, everyone has their limits...

And his had been reached.

Aiden: ["I get that learning about the dimension is important and stuff..."] He started, his face still planted on the table ["But can't we talk about something more exciting...?"]

Taylor: ["... Don't"]

She raised her hand to grab Tyler, who had stood up, ready to smack the back of Aiden's head. She also did the same to Y/N, who clutched the fork harder in his hand — Speaking of, only now he glanced at his palm which still had a few drops of blood on it. Sighing internally, he just cleaned it on a handkerchief that came with his plate. He didn't appear to be much bothered by the pain, let alone the wound's stinging.

Ashlyn: ["... Then should I?"] She cracked her knuckles, glaring right at Aiden, but then only exhaled out her frustrations with an annoyed sigh ["No. Calm down. Lunch is almost-over, and we still haven't asked my parents about the self-denfese stuff"] She turned to face Aiden, keeping her usual serious expression ["Let's talk to my parents about teaching us self-defense today, then. Does that sound any more exciting?"]

Aiden: ["REALLY?!"] He sparked up immediately [Ah-wait..."] Only to fall deep in thoughts again ["Your hair! If we tell your parents about your hair-"] He suddenly grabbed the poor girl by both of her arms ["That is, your shadow, wouldn't that prove what's been happening to us?!"]

Ashlyn: ["𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐠𝐨 𝐨𝐟-"] Initially ready to snap, the girl suddenly sparked up with interest at his sudden suggestions ["Hold on, that's true! I... I haven't thought about that"]

Tyler: ["So he does have a brain. Who knew?"]

Y/N: ["Definitely surprising to hear something coherent from him"]

Ashlyn: ["I said let go!"]

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Elio: ["Good morning, sir!"]*

The man greeted cheerfully, the phone being supported on his shoulder and pressed against his ear with his head laid on top of it. Though only for a moment, as he stabbed the shovel he held on the ground, cleaning some sweat off of his forehead with his inner-forearm. His lack of a shirt only exposed even more scars spread throughout his body,including the burning mark on his face, neck, arms, and back.

Elio: ["No, it is not a bad time at all, sir. How may I be of service?"]* He listened on, nodding along to Y/N's voice over the phone, finishing with a casual hum ["Self-defense for a friend that is being bullied, huh? Of course, I would be glad to help! I will pick you up in twenty, sounds good? I just need to... Deal with some things first']*

He chuckled, shaking his head even though the kid could not see it. He just turned around, leaning against the shovel and staring at the three, now-filled sites of grass. Picking the shovel from the ground and walking back to the SUV as he continued to listen on to Y/N's talk, all he did was, again, wipe some sweat off of his brow. A light and innocent giggle could almost hide the mischief hiding behind his glistening eyes.

Elio: ["No, sir. Just doing a routine cleanup, is all!"]*

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Aiden: ["Ah, there they are!"]

He smiled brightly at the sight of his arriving peers — Tyler and Taylor who came on their bike, and Logan on a scooter. A few minutes later Y/N also arrived, just like before, driven in the black-clad SUV. He stepped out, but still remained a moment longer, talking something to the scarred driver that the rest of the group couldn't perceive from the distance. A nod later, he just turned to walk towards the group.

They talked about something Y/N did not pay attention to on their way inside — Likely the usual scuffle between the group — as he instead stared at his phone. Cold eyes distant as ever would glance around the place once they made their way inside, and for a single moment, a mere spark of warmth presented itself on his actions as he waved to Ashlyn's parents as a silent greeting once they had gone inside the house.

Ashlyn: ["Uh-... What are you guys doing...?"]

Emma: ["... Making a snack platter...?"]

Ashlyn: ["I can see that. But why so much?"] The girl glanced at the plate, and then up at her parents with a raised eyebrow ["You two can't possibly eat that by yourselves"]

Mike: ["W-Well, you and your friends usually go straight to the graveyard to hang out-"]

Emma: ["-But when you called, you said that all of you wanted to speak with us, so... We made-uh snacks...To eat... While we talk..."] Silence, followed by even more silence, as the family trio just shared an awkward, quiet gaze, until ["I told you it was too much!"]

Mike: ["But this is what the blog said to do..."]

Ashlyn: ["... Were they excited for this? But those guys..."] She shot a glance at the living room, where everyone of the group took a seat ["Aren't actually my friends..."]

Y/N just took a seat by himself on the opposite sofa from Tyler and Taylor, at the side of Aiden and Ben. As per usual, and to the surprise of no one, he remained quiet and just observant of the place, occasionally nodding or humming when someone directed the attention to him. And just a few moments later, with a plethora of snacks in the platter presented on the table by Ashlyn's parents — ... Aiden instantly moved.

Everyone watched with a mixture of disgust and shock at how fast he took one of the many present sandwiches, and ferociously ate with his mouth open, clearly not bothering with pleasantries. While most either glanced away, or directly at him, making no qualms about hiding their visible disappointment, Y/N just stared at his phone — Trying to save himself from the second-hand embarrassment he was feeling.

Tyler: ["... Dude-"]

He was interrupted by a loud burp, courtesy of Aiden.

Mike: ["...So... What'd you kids want to talk about?"]

Ashlyn: ["Oh-um... Right. Our request for self-defense could change depending on how they react to my shadow..."] The girl, sitting by Y/N's side, glanced down at her clenching hands on top of her lap ["But how do I bring it up...? We, uh-... Okay, how about trying to show them first? Actions speak louder than words and whatnot"] To the confusion of her parents, the girl stood up and pinched her hair ["Do you...?"]

Mike: ["Well- Not uh...Not particularly, no?"] He raised an eyebrow in confusion — In his eyes, everything seemed normal ["From how tense she was,I thought it was going to be something serious- but... Shadows?"]

A sullen quietness bell the group. Y/N, who was previously still scrolling through his phone, just looked up at Ashlyn, who shot him a thoughtful, somber glance. Just nodding to the seat at his side was enough for the girl to take it, still deep in her thoughts while everyone else refused to speak up — Well, most of them. Y/N just didn't feel like it. With a sigh, Ashlyn scratched the back of her head, and shook it.

Ashlyn: ["They don't see anything? So it'so nly something we can perceive?"]

Emma: ["Are we supposed to notice something?"]

Ashlyn: ["Ah- No, nevermind, forget it. Just testing an experiment that our teacher did with us in class today"] Y/N hummed in his mind — "Nice save", he thought quietly ["Guess it's back to the original plan... But we do need your help. The thing is, Logan has been getting bullied. That's how he got the bruise on his cheek"] Emma and Mike noticeably shifted into a more serious attitude, while Logan shifted around in shyness ["I told him that you guys could probably teach him some self-defense, but he's a little anxious to learn on his own, so offered to help with him. If you don't mind, could we learn the basics?"]

Y/N: ["My caretaker also stepped up to help us learn stuff a bit deeper. He used to fight professionally before retiring due to an injury"] Y/N spoke up to the surprise of the group, who were kinda expecting another silent treatment from him ["Which also lets me ask if you'd be alright with Ashlyn sometimes coming over for us to learn together"] The girl's parents, visibly, narrowed their eeys in suspicion ["And the rest of the group, of course. But I'll have to ask their parents about it"] And now, the aforementioned parents relaxed.

Mike: ["I mean, I don't mind..."]

Emma: ["Me neither... Sounds pretty fun, actually"] Everything went well, until she turned to face the group ["But are all of your parents alright with this as well?"]

Taylor: ["... Uhh..."]

Aiden: ["..."]

Logan: ["... Ehhh..."]

Mike: ["Yeah. Ask them first"] He merely nodded while crossing his arms ["I don't want any unnecessary drama from their parents when their kids start coming home bruised"]

Y/N: ["My caretaker's just outside waiting for me"] Y/N chirped up, pointing towards the lawn where the black SUV was parked ["I could call him here, if you would want"]

Emma and Mike just shred a glance for a moment, before nodding towards Y/N, who reached for his phone and dialed a number. A mere instant later, and voicing the command, it didn't take long for a knock to be heard, followed by the door opening. Safe to say everyone was still a bit taken back by Elio's scar, but his charming smile and gentle eyes calmed them down just as much as his extraordinary mannerisms.

Elio: ["So, Y/N here wants to start training with you two, is that it?"] His soft voice betrayed the nasty scar across his face, neck, and arms ["I don't see why not. We've been training together for a while now — He decided to branch out, you know?"] Much to Y/N's irritation, Elio reached ahead and ruffled his hair, really putting on the face of an older sibling ["He used to practice Chitō-ryū back in Europe, but haven't had the time to pick it up ever since he moved"]

Mike: ["He said he was already training with you, is that right?"] Elio nodded, still keeping that gentle smile on his lips ["If I may, what exactly do the two of you train together?"]

Elio: ["You can think of it as something akin to MMA. We only began recently, so little Y/N didn't have much time to pick it up"] Elio calmly reached inside his shirt, pulling out a collar and proudly presenting it ["It's what I picked up in my time during the GIS and many travels around the world, you see?"]

Aiden: ["The GI-huh?"]

Elio: ["Gendarmerie. Italian military who also have law enforcement duties"] He explained in a calming, and gentle tone, turning to face Aiden, before facing Mike and Emma again ["I think it would do him good to pick up some physical activities again"]

Aiden: ["To have a butler who served, your family must be even more loaded than mine!!"] He laughed with that excited the tone, rather rudely, keeping his legs crossed on top of the sofa with his shoes still on ["What do they do to have that much cash?"]

Y/N: ["... We have... Family business that does a little bit of everything across all of Europe"] Y/N took a sip from the glass of water he had in his hand, staring Aiden right in the eye ["I never bothered to get into it. It's not really what I want to do with my life..."]

Tyler: ["Seems kinda dumb to not pick up something that guarantees your future"] He nonchalantly comments, and Y/N expressed no reaction, as per usual of himself ["What is it that you want to do, then?"]

Y/N: ["I've always been a fan of theater. Maybe I'll get into that"]

Tyler: ["Are you a good actor?"]

Y/N: [".. I can lie very well"]

Conversation came and went between the adults of the room, with the kids sometimes chirping in to say something here or there. It wasn't long before they decided that it was best to retreat to their own little Hell-made-Heaven with Y/N and Ashlyn helping move a few gallons of water to restock on their supplies. Now that they were alone, Y/N calmly lit himself a cigarette while taking a few steps away from the group.

Tyler: ["Don't you think it's a tad ironic that we chose this place as our shelter because of the high walls-"] He started the conversation, already pouring some of the gallons on their drinking fountain ["Yet now we are having to fortify said walls?"]

Aiden: ["Yeah, well, we didn't exactly predict that the Phantoms could scale a thirteen-foot concrete wall"]

Ashlyn: ["And we didn't choose it just because of the walls. We have various tools and materials here, and an electric generator,and we're able to bring stuff we need during the day since my dad owns it"] She sat cross-legged on the middle of the seats sorting through a box of canned food, near Ben who was drawing, and Aiden who sat right behind him ["You voted just the same as the rest of us to use the graveyard, so stop whining"]

Tyler: ["I'm not whining, just pointing out the irony"] He continued, as Y/N stepped out from the bus ["I'm still not sure it was worth the effort to just to get locked up in here..."]

Ashlyn: ["You know I never expected for us to wake up separated back in our homes. I wanted us to meet at that convenience store,not just rush here"] Y/N walked right back into the place, carrying with him a medium-sized, black duffle bag ["It's a good thing we could at least bring my dad's rifle for Logan to use. And that Y/N still had his guns with him"]

Taylor: ["Well, we're here now, so let's just make the best of it and move on!"]

Ashlyn: ["Agreed. Another benefit of the yard, though..."] She looked out the dirty windows of the old bus, narrowing her eyes ["Is that we're able to set traps around the area during the day as well-"]

She stopped talking when Y/N reached his hand into the bag, pulling out yet another gun from it. Ashlyn recognized it as a Benelli M3 shotgun, which he calmly reloaded while taking a seat. Ashlyn reached into the bag and calmly pulled it closer, and inspecting inside, she could see a variety of handguns — She just looked up at Y/N, and then at the bag again. He gave her a puzzled look, as if he was the one confused.

Y/N: ["You're not gonna take something?"]

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Mike: ["Did that feel off to you? The way they were acting?"]

With a half-empty can on his hand, the man took yet another swing from it, leaning back against the counter while Emma rested beneath her blankets, covered and with a book in her hand. And even if the night had fallen a while back, looking out the window, he could see Ashlyn and Y/N facing-off in a light sparring. Elio was overseeing them, giving tips here and there — They'd be out soon. He hoped.

Emma: ["They might've just felt awkward about telling us that Logan was being bullied"]

Mike: ["Yeah..."] He sighed, unaware of what lurked behind him ["...Maybe"]

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Ashlyn: ["...? You're here early"]

The girl turned to face Y/N, who just stood there with both hands in his pockets. A light shrug from him was all the girl needed to step aside and let him inside the bus. As per usual, he had a lit cigarette in his mouth, and his clothing was nothing too noticeable, maybe save for a collar hanging around on his neck — Some sort of symbol Ashlyn didn't recognize, or particularly seemed to care too much about.

Y/N: ["Theater practice was canceled today. Our lead's got food poisoning"]

Ashlyn: ["Ah. Sounds like a pain. You mind if we start training in a bit? I'm still sore..."]

Y/N: ["Sure"]

He sat on the seat opposite to the girl, who kept both of her knees up, pressed against her chest. Y/N just laid back, enjoying the silence and the gentle, serene wind — The two seemed tired, having woken up not too long ago. And "woken up" in some very heavy quotation marks, because as calm as the night was compared to the last few ones, there is little respite for a weary soul who wanders to a plane it does not belong.

Y/N's Indigo eyes fell upon Ashlyn, who kept both of her arms crossed on top of her knees, resting her cheek against it. Her eyes were closed, resting as much as she could in that serene silence and the breeze which shook around some strands of her hair. The sun shining on her freckled face really highlighted her expression of peace. Y/N debated with himself for a moment before turning and chirping up to speak.

Y/N: ["... Where'd you learn it? Fighting, I mean"]

Ashlyn: ["... My parents had always tried to teach me self-defense when I was younger, but it never stuck. If it wasn't related to dancing, it was hard for me to have motivation to even try"] Her eyes had open just for a moment to look at Y/N. But they soon closed again as she began to talk, nuzzling her freckled cheek on her equally-dotted arms ["They managed to get me to learn a little kickboxing, because it would also help me with dancing, but my interest didn't last long enough for to learn anything long-term aside from the basics of footwork'] She fell quiet for a few moments, opening a little smile and chuckling as she spoke again ["So to say they were excited when I decided to back into training..."]

Y/N: ["How excited?"]

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Emma: ["You aren't messing with us?!"]

The girl recoiled as both of her parents got right into her face, practically pushing their noses against her's. The two had that same serious expression of determination, gritting their teeth and practically glaring right at Ashlyn's soul. Both of her hands raised in defense, she just leaned back, sinking into the couch, and at the mother's question, she could not help but shake her head sheepishly with a cold sweat.

Mike: ["Really?! No take backs!"]

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Ashlyn: ["... Very excited..."]

Y/N: ["And the others?"]

Ashlyn: ["Everyone got permission. It took some convincing from Aiden's parents. We had to set up a zoom call between them and all... Due to Ben's past with violence, it was kinda rough"] She twirled her left braid around her finger, staring out the window and away from Y/N, facing the trees softly waving around with the light breeze of the evening ["Though once dad explained that self-defense could help him protect himself and others in a safer, more controlled manner, they were fine with it. Meeting with Logan's parents was-"]

Y/N: ["Awkward. I know... I met them when I had to buy some decorations for one of our presentations"] Y/N leaned back, crossing both arms and putting out the cigarette on his mouth by pressing it on the side of the bus ["I supposed it is due to their old age and all. But damn those people were harsh and old-fashioned with "protecting their little boy..."]

Ashlyn: ["Yeah... I don't blame them. Logan does look kinda soft 'n all. He's not the type who's prone to violence"] The silence returned for a few moments longer, Ashlyn and Y/N just staring a quiet gaze ["And the twins weren't all that complicated. They just went home and yesterday said that it was all okay. As for you... Could've gone easier on me"]

Y/N: ["The Phantoms won't go easy on none of us"]

Ashlyn: ["The Phantoms won't punch me in the throat"]

Y/N: ["... You're right... They are just going to tear it all off"]

The two stared at one another in silence. Indigo looking at Emerald as Y/N kept his hand raised while litting himself a cigarette. The first one to smirk was Ashlyn, who's lips curved up before they broke into a small chuckle. Y/N, for once, just had his lips curling upwards into a smile while he leaned back, and exhaling the smoke through his lips. Ashlyn calmly stood up from her seat, and stretched her arms and legs.

Y/N was again, surprised, by her flexibility, as she raised her foot past her head, and wrapped both arms around the lifted leg to stretch it, on both of her limbs. An arm over her shoulder, her neck, and rolling her shoulders. She turned to look down at Y/N, who just shot her a curious glance, tilting his head to the side. Ashlyn calmly pointed over her shoulder, also tilting her head back and towards the outside.

Ashlyn: ["You wanna get some warm up going before the real thing?"]

He just nodded and wandered off with Ashlyn, and as everyone started to arrive, firstly Ben and Aiden, followed by the twins and then Logan, they just kept on doing some very light sparring and warming up. Y/N went on to give a few hints here or there, how to throw a proper punch, how to deliver a proper kick — Overall, the basics of the basics. Moments later, Ashlyn's parents and Elio arrived to start the real thing.

And not too long later, they watched as Tyler was forced off-balance after the back of his leg was kicked, and he fell back-first to the ground with a painful crash. Logan, sitting on top of a pile of old wheels, sucked through his teeth, recoiling just like Ashlyn by his side who now wore a plain-white tank top and her usual pants and boots. She just watched her father offer the fallen, and hurting, one of the twins.

Mike: ["Never cross a leg in front of the other when walking, you hear?"] He clasped his hand around Tyler's, pulling him up to his feet, and looking ahead with a rather excited grin ["Alright, Logan. You're up next!"]

With tears streaming down his eyes, he sighed and stood up, walking past a limping Tyler who made his way towards Ashlyn. The two barely heard Logan being called before the training began, and flesh hitting flesh echoed through the semi-empty graveyard of school buses. Rubbing the back of his aching head after it was struck on the ground, Tyler turned to face Logan, but also spoke up to Ashlyn by his side.

Tyler: ["Your dad's brutal..."]

Ashlyn: ["No one in the real world would take it easy o nus, so he won't either"]

Tyler: ["Actually... I might be more scared of your mom..."]

The two turned to face the aforementioned, who had just slammed the much-taller Ben over her shoulder, and back-first into the ground. Keeping her hands tight around the middle arm, and the other grasping his wrist. A bit to the back Aiden clapped excitedly while Taylor's face dropped in a bit of a cold sweat — Emma just had a little soft, and happy smile as she turned to face over her shoulder at the aforementioned.

Emma: ["Did you see how I did that, Taylor?"]

Taylor: ["Y-Yeah..."]

Ashlyn: ["... If anything, I think Elio is the scariest one..."]

She turned to face the scene of Y/N and Elio squaring off against one another — The former looked exhausted while the latter seemed still fine, crouching in a taunting manner to stare eye-to-eye with the kneeling Y/N. Standing up and wiping some blood from his lips, Y/N stepped forward as if going for an Oi Tsuki, or a lunging punch. Fittingly the name, he lunged ahead to strike, but instead, his leg is what moved.

Elio had raised his hand to shield himself from the punch, however, he found his legs being swept from under him. But instead of falling, he just added to the momentum by swinging his entire body, and catching Y/N in a flying armbar. The weight should've made Y/N drop to his knees and finish the fight, but gritting his teeth, he just glared down at Elio, who shot him a knowingly giggle, unsurprising by his resilience.

Ashlyn seemed to be the only one who watched closely, seeing Y/N gritting his teeth still, but raised his other arm. Without moving his legs, or twisting his waist, punching was practically useless, so she wondered if he was going to try and force Elio's legs off. But still, her eyes wandered and narrowed in wonder, thinking if, maybe, he was about to scratch him? Or pinch? This was a no-holds barred fight, afterall, so it-

CRACK

She jumped a bit when she heard the sound of bones grinding. Her shaky irises locked against Y/N, who now stepped away from Elio, who was sitting calmly on the ground. It didn't take a genius to notice that Y/N's arm was dislocated and out of the socket, something which she figured he had done himself thanks to how, right after, he threw his body and arm forward, using centrifugal force to pop it back in place.

He just sighed and rolled his shoulders around, seeming to be unaffected by the pain, and stepped ahead to stomp the ground again right after. Elio, sitting down, just chuckled while standing — His tanktop kept his scars out for everyone to shee, especially the extending of the burning mark. He waved hsi hands around, prompting Y/N to drop his stance, and bow — Ashlyn figured it was on instinct — before sitting.

Elio: ["Yeah, I think stopping here for today sounds good!"]

Logan: ["Safe...."]

Mike: ["DON'T LET YOUR GUARD DOWN!"]

He snatched the poor glasses-wearing boy by his neck and caught him in a standing chokehold. Y/N walked just a bit before sitting down on the ground again by the side of the group, breathing rather quickly to catch up his breath. Elio approached Mike and Emma, who stood side-by-sid with one another overseeing the kids — After Mike let Logan go from the chokehold, that is — as the mature woman offered a smile.

Emma: ["You kids wanna come in and play some board games? I'll make sandwiches!"]

Taylor: ["We can't... We have to study for the midterms..."]

Emma: ["Ah...Sorry to hear that... We'll just bring them here, then!"]

Elio: ["You kids study hard. I'll go help with the sandwiches and bring them!"]

The three adults waved as they walked inside, with Y/N leaning back and sighing out in exhaustion. A few seconds later is when he looked up, seeing Ashlyn offer him a glass of water, likely from the drinking fountain they had installed in one of the buses, which he took with a very thankful, but silent, nod. He downed it all in a single gup, wiping his face away as he heard, per usual, Aiden being the one to speak up.

Aiden: ["Ahahaha, that midterms excuse was great"]

Tyler: ["It wasn't a joke, you idiot. They are next week"]

Clank

All the talk turned into blurry words as something caught Ashlyn's attention. The girl stood up calmly, seemingly just Y/N following her with his eyes as everyone continued talking. She reached upwards, removing her earplugs and focusing through the talks of her friends. Upon hearing the sound of a step, her eyes narrowed further as she followed the sound and where it came from, rapidly pushing past a bus.

However, as she looked around, the only thing she saw was a crow on top of an old junkyard car. The bird cawed at her before flying away, prompting Ashlyn to drop her arms and put her earplug again. A light tap on her shoulder prompted her to turn around and face Y/N, who gave the girl a puzzled look, which prompted her to face where she thought she heard a step coming from, again, and sigh in annoyance.

Ashlyn: ["Thought I heard something. Was just a bird, though"]

Y/N: ["You got scared by a ... Bird...?"]

Ashlyn: ["It didn't sound like a crow. It thought it was a footstep"]

Taylor: ["Mayve you got just mixed up with your parents walking away?"]

Ashlyn: ["Nevermind... Let's just finish setting things up..."]

The girl and the others walked back to their usual bus to pick up stuff. A few moments later, with Ashlyn preparing the materials that they would need to set up the lights and the rest of things. Not too far was Y/N, who carried one of the many-aforementioned lights that they would need to set up. He set it down, and went back to get another, and repeated the process until they had three — And looked at Ashlyn looking at him.

Y/N: ["What?"]

Ashlyn: ["What was that all about? You know... With your arm and stuff"]

Y/N: ["Ah... You're talking about the dislocated thing, right?"] Ashlyn nodded, as Y/N seemed to debate whether to talk or not ["CIPA. Congenital Insensitivity to Pain and Anhydrosis. Hereditary. Me and my brother got it from my mother — Long-story short, I don't feel... Much pain"] Y/N grasped his own index, and just like before, made Ashlyn recoil as he dislocated it ["I can feel it. It's like a small pinch on your arm... My mom and brother got the entire, real thing, though. They are numb to pain. Could hammer a nail into their kneecaps, or bite off a whole finger, and they would feel fine. Completely fine. Are you satisfied?"]

Ashlyn: ["Ye-Yeah... I'm sorry if I came across as rude, I was just curious"]

Y/N: ["... I'm just not really a fan of talking about myself, or my family"]

Y/N put his finger back in place, and walked away to pick up the rest of the lights. Ashlyn just remained there, watching him go away with a rather apologetic and saddened gaze. But shaking it all off, she went back to work — Only for said thoughts to plague her mind again, and turn to face Y/N walking off. But, instead of dwelling on it any longer, she just went back to doing her work, and picking the items she needed.

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Ashlyn: ["Finally!"]

The now-short-haired girl fell back-first on the walls, sighing and exhaling in tiredness. Watching the red skies of the night looming ahead with its ever-present danger and menacing existence. The whole thing made her feel threatened, small, with no escape. But shaking off those thoughts, and recalling how they had thought about how it took them a whole week to set up all of these lights around the place.

She also looked down at her hand, seeing the black suits that everyone was wearing, and their equally-dark boots. They all also had a handgun each on their hips, with Y/N in particular having that same Bellini M3 slinged over his shoulder, the revolver, and pistol, on each side of his waist. While peeling an orange with the switchblade he always had, to see him cold eyes armed to the teeth was one hell of a sight.

She rubbed the top of one of the lamps, who she tried to forget about how this new world exists a long, long time ago — "Aiden and Y/N keeps them charging at their houses" she begun to think "And then the charge transfers here, even if the lamps aren't in the same place". She retreated her palm from the cold steel, but even with all of these good news, her face was still as unmoving as it was unsmiling and silent.

Ashlyn: ["Yeah. That..."]

<<<<<< I >[---]< I >>>>>>

[Published in - 06/04/24]
[Word Count - 5.545]

I don't got much to say here, other than that short-haired Ashlyn looks fine. And that I hope you've enjoyed the chapter as well, my friends!