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ᴛʜᴇ ɢᴏᴅᴅᴇꜱꜱ ᴏꜰ ɢʀᴀᴄᴇ

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Watching my feet pitter along the sidewalk has been the highlight of today, for most of the time was spent waiting on a certain letter from up above. My father has never been good with getting this done on time, but I've been waiting for almost a week and would like to be deemed something sometime soon. I guess I could blame air traffic, but we all know he speeds through everything anyways.

What more could I do? Marcus, while amazing and perfect, couldn't keep on spending every waking moment entertaining me. He had things to do, which often included copious paperwork that seemed to drone on for hours on end. He hates the stuff, but if Aro requires it he must fill it out.

During the past week I have started to show within my pregnancy, having a little bump appear on my pale belly. Marcus loved it, but it got in the way of so much. Cuddles were hard to have when the babies were the third and fourth wheels of your relationship.

Moments of solitude were spent outside, much to Marcus' dismay. He wants me curled up on the bed, resting at all times. While that would be nice, staying asleep all day couldn't be good for my health. Nighttime sleep was still necessary and midmorning naps could ruin my healthy sleep schedule that I had worked so hard to gain.

Little hand marks sometimes showed up on my belly whenever one twin decided they would bid their mother hello. Adorable little ones. One of the twins was very active inside of me, often making me nauseous and forcing up my food. I couldn't be angry for long, but it was those little annoyances that made life just a bit harder. Pregnancy was no joke, clearly, and as a goddess I had no clue how many times I would go through this process of procreation. I could have thousands of children, although naming that many babies would be a challenge in and of itself, let alone remembering all of them.

Even through my morning sickness I learned to love my little babies. I didn't know what their names were yet. Gender was also unknown, but I suspected that the outgoing baby was a boy based on my own instinct. He (or she) has an air of mischief surrounding them.

"Sister," I cocked my head, peering out the window to see who had called for me. It was brother Hermes. "Are you ready to go?"

"What do you mean am I ready?" Hermes rolled his eyes and hopped into my room through the balcony. "You can't just show up here and expect me to be ready to go somewhere, Hermes. I'm not very able right now and I have to check with Marcus-"

"Come on, little one, we can tell him!" I gave him an Are you serious look before shaking my head. "Do you want to get your titles or not, Callidora? Father won't wait forever."

"Well if you had just said that-" Hermes started to cackle, "I hate you so much. Can you get my shoes? I'm getting too big for this."

"Don't be a baby-" he stopped what he was going to say as he saw my growing frown. My glare started to pierce into him, making him laugh awkwardly and go get my shoes. "So, big day for you, little sister, what do you think you'll become?"

"I have no idea," I rolled out of bed, able to get my shoes on now that Hermes handed them to me. "Oh, I have to bring Marcus. I don't want to bother him but since he's my mate I want him to be there. Do you think Daddy will let him in? I hope he does. I won't go if he doesn't let my Marcus in."

"He'll have to if he wants anything to do with you, Callidora, and your mother will make sure that he stays in line," I smiled, grabbing my coat from the closet. "Where is that mate of yours? I've seen him around-"

Looking around the corner of the hall, I saw Marcus walking with a bunch of papers in hand. I waved him over, watching as he used his speed to reach me quickly. "Yes, my dear? Why do you have your coat? Are you going somewhere?"

I pulled him into a sweet kiss, knowing that I hadn't seen him for a few hours. He kissed back, running a hand through my thick white hair. "Sweetheart, where are you going?"

"Olympus," Marcus raised an eyebrow, "Hermes said that Daddy is ready to take me up and get me deemed as the goddess of something. Of course I want you to come with me since I said I wanted you to come yesterday, but we have to go now. Wouldn't want to anger Daddy, you know."

"Already on thin ice as it is, Marcus," Hermes muttered.

"It was not my intention to get her pregnant, Hermes." My brother scoffed and turned his head away from my mate. I rolled my eyes at their little exchange before kissing Marcus on the cheek. "Sweet Callidora, let's get you up and out, then. Wouldn't want to anger the king of the gods. Stupid idea, really."

"Idiotic." My mate chuckled before picking me up off the ground. I squealed, flailing my arms around everywhere. "Marcus!"

"Shush, my sweet mate, I am taking you up to Olympus with your brother's help. My arms are a perfectly acceptable means to get you there, I assure you." I frowned, pouting. Marcus chuckled once more. "My dear Callidora, what is the matter? You loved being carried by me yesterday. You seemed very pleased with my carrying you last week when you didn't want to get your own cup of water. What seems to have changed?"

"My brother is right over there." I huffed as he kissed the top of my head.

"And? You have no problem with public displays of affection. Just the other day you were kissing me at-" I squealed and covered his mouth with my hands, to which Hermes laughed out loud. Marcus was able to get my hands off of him long enough to say, "Making out with me at trial."

"You don't just tell everyone about that!" I exclaimed, annoyed that my mate was telling everyone our little secrets. Well, it wasn't much of a secret since Caius had been the one to beg us to stop 'having mouth sex' on Marcus' throne.

Well, it was fun while it lasted.

"Callidora, you were-" I shushed him once more.

"Shall we leave?" Hermes asked through fits of laughter.

"Yes, yes, of course. To Olympus!"

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Coming back to Olympus after these past few weeks left me breathless in the best ways possible. The area was just as beautiful as it had been when I left, but now I could truly see the entrance for all of its loveliness. Bright flowers lingered along the sides of the walls, bringing in the sweet aroma of rosemary, lilies, and petunias. All three flowers looked gorgeous. I would have to congratulate my auntie Demeter later.

Those sweet scents stuck around in the air all the way to the palace, where they were replaced by the smell of Wisteria, my favorite flower. Much to my surprise, it was littered all around my old home.

Everything felt customized to suit my needs, my wants, and my preferences. Did Daddy do all of this for me? Did Mommy find out about the Wisteria? Of course she did. Ugh, it was on the desk, wasn't it? Or did Hebe tell her? Artemis, if this was you I'll shoot you with your own bow and arrow!

"Well, now that we're back and everyone has decorated for you, do you accept the look of the place? Father insisted on keeping this look for the next century. Why? I don't know, but he says that since you love Wisteria he wants it everywhere. It's a nice color." Hermes announced, looking over at where Marcus and I were standing. "You may die if your hand stays that close to my baby sister's ass."

"I'll take my chances," Marcus snarked, inching closer to my behind. I blushed at his openness and buried my head in his shoulder, to which he laughed. "My sweet, there is no need to be so embarrassed. Does my undying love bother you?"

"No, give me your undying love and attention, just not in front of my-" I was cut off by Hebe's giggle. I turned my head away from my mate's chest and found my older sister standing right in front of the palace doors. "Hebe!"

"Baby Callidora!" she cheered, picking me out of Marcus' arms. My mate growled at the goddess, who gave him an annoyed look. "She may be your mate, but she's my perfect little sister and I want to give her all the love I can while she's here with us. You've had the baby long enough. Found your mate in a month old goddess and got her pregnant, what a man you are, Marcus."

"How many times do I have to explain what happened? We completed the bond, I didn't mean to impregnate her," Marcus said to my sister, "I didn't even know vampires could procreate with goddesses, or we would have taken precautions. Come on, Hebe, we've known each other for what? Three thousand years? Don't be mean to your sister's mate."

"I'll be mean to whoever I want, Marcus," Hebe replied, putting me down on the ground. I stumbled a bit, which made my sister give me a worried look. "Sister Callidora, are you alright? You never walk like that."

"I'm pregnant, Hebe," I reminded her, "I think pregnant people stumble. I've never seen someone pregnant before myself. How does it work?"

"My sweet mate," Marcus crooned, "You are correct, pregnant women do tend to stumble. You'll be alright, my dear."

"You two are sickeningly sweet," Hebe scoffed, crossing her arms as I ran back over to my much taller mate. Looking up at him, I see his beautifully brown eyes, which now did not have to turn a dark red due to blood sacrifices. We would have to worry about other vampires from different covens noticing his chocolate colored eyes, but for now I could enjoy them. They were so pretty, highlighted by the sun. "What is it with all the fluff? Where is the angst? Will you two just be perfect for the next five centuries? With a perfect baby."

"Twins, actually, Hebe, we're having twins," I informed her. My sister rolled her eyes. "Everyone seems to be a twin but me over here. Must run in the family."

"Seems to be," Hebe mused, looking at the Wisteria that had been hung around the palace before my arrival today. "Two babies and I don't get to help raise either of them. Poo."

"You can visit, sister. See my little ones." She perked up at the offer. Marcus only sighed, picking me back up into his arms. Pressing a kiss to my head, I notice a figure coming out of the doors of the palace. Someone, but I couldn't see who. Their scent was familiar, but not one that I had been around during my time in Olympus.

Once a woman came into my view, her arm wrapped around uncle Hades, I realized that it was my sister Persephone. I hadn't ever met her, with most of her time either being with her mother, auntie Demeter, or her husband, uncle Hades, down in the Underworld. Persephone's flowing white hair was brushed back into a ponytail, the perfect outfit for the spring. She and uncle looked very happy together.

"Sister!" Persephone's crisp voice hit my ears, with her swiftly coming over to where Marcus was holding me. "Oh, I'm so glad that it was you, Marcus. I don't trust many of those vampires, but you've always been one of the good ones. How has my dear sister been doing? Have you taken her on many dates? Presents? I must know!"

"Now, now, darling, young Callidora must be making her way into the throne room soon, lest my brother cut my head off," Hades calmed his wife, who wanted to know more about Marcus and I's relationship. "How have you been, Callidora? Volterra treating you well?"

"I've been doing well, uncle. You?"

"Alright." He seemed a bit shocked that I had asked him how he was doing.

"Callidora!" Daddy's cheery voice infiltrated the small gathering outside the door, "Oh, how lovely it is to see you, my sweet child! When your mother told me the news I-!" Daddy looked down at my stomach, which was quite oversized given how I've only been pregnant for a few weeks. "-You're so huge, Callidora."

"That isn't very nice, Daddy." I frowned at his comment about my size. I was pregnant, what did he expect? "I'm pregnant with twins. Vampire-god hybrids. Of course I'm going to look like a balloon."

"You don't look like a balloon," he tried to convince me. I rolled my eyes and allowed Marcus to pat me on the head. "Seriously, Callidora, where did the innocence go? Did that fiend take it when he-"

"Daddy!" I exclaimed. There was no need to talk about my sex life before getting my goddess title! That sort of thing is personal! By nature, Daddy, do you have no boundaries? Does nobody here have them? Probably. Wouldn't surprise me.

"Oh, you're no fun, child." Daddy huffed before looking at uncle Hades. "You're supposed to be inside, brother, or are you having too much fun harassing my youngest baby? How many times have I told you to-"

"Daddy, he wasn't bothering me," I defended my uncle, who hadn't done anything wrong. Honestly, what was up with the two of them? It was like anytime someone mentioned uncle Hades, it was in a negative light. The man looked... tired, unlike his wife, who was radiant as ever with him. Perhaps it was because she could spend more time with her husband. I heard she didn't get to have him all year like I would with Marcus, so that was a reasonable conclusion. "Be nice to uncle Hades, he's been nothing but kind to me so far. Plus, he's your older brother. I'm sure you both have your issues, but siblings mean everything."

"Callidora," Daddy began, clicking his tongue, "You are much too kind for your own good."

"No, I am not, you are just being mean," I retorted, flipping my hair before settling myself down on the ground. Marcus groaned, knowing that he would have to watch me fly into the palace. There wasn't anything I could do to ease his anxieties there. "Marcus, let me fly you up."

"I'm much too heavy, dear." I rolled my eyes.

"No you aren't. I'm also strong." Daddy, Hebe, and Hermes laughed. I gave them looks, pouting as I picked up Marcus. He hissed as I flew off the ground, leaving everyone behind us. "What, afraid of heights?"

"Sush." I giggled as he closed his eyes, not wanting to look down. "Why do you do this to me? What have I done to deserve such punishment? Have I not assisted you with everything for the past three weeks? I hate this."

"Oh, you're being a baby. I would know, I have two inside of me. This should be fine. Ooh, the sun looks so pretty from here! I wish you would open your eyes, they're so pretty."

"Let me down!" Marcus whined at me, his brown eyes remaining closed. I continued to fly until we reached my old room, which was decorated a nice purple in response to my arrival. Only when I released Marcus and let his feet plop down on the floor did he open his eyes, utterly annoyed that I had picked him up in the first place. My usually cheery mate hated flying, but it was so normal for me. "Callidora, must you always try and fly me everywhere? It is a terrible means of transportation of a non-godly entity. I never want to do that again, do you hear me? I hated that so much."

"Fine, Marcus," I giggled out, placing a kiss to his cheek. That seemed to calm him down a bit, with my mate whisking me back up into his arms. "Is that better? Would you rather carry me?"

"Yes."

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Untempered anxiety filled my heart as I walked down the hall. A gown of silk and something I could not identify wrapped around my body, I realized just how real this was. I was becoming a goddess, but from the way I looked you would expect me to be a bride. A crown of Wisteria laid on my brow, with my feet being left bare. I truly looked like a goddess while walking with Mommy.

This was all real. This was happening right now. For the first time in my life, I'll have some crazy goddess title that I'll have things to do for. Will I get powers? I already had some of my own. What will happen with my residence in Volterra? Everyone has a role to play on Olympus, so how will I do my job in Italy? On Earth?

"You look gorgeous, sweetie," Mommy's voice took me away from my thoughts, "Stunning. Hebe did good work on you, my darling child. Do you remember how this works, or did Artemis fail in her duties to teach you how this will be done?"

"She didn't exactly fail..." Mommy scoffed, taking me into a small room, off course.

"Failure. Shouldn't expect anything more." I frowned. Mommy often talked poorly about a few of my siblings, but I learnt it was best to not question her as she could be scary when angry. "You'll be coming into the throne room, where your father will address you by name. After that, you shall come up to him and bow your head. He shall give your titles and you will give the oath of your office. Don't worry too much, he will tell you how it goes during the ceremony. Remember, everyone will be watching. This is your best chance at impressing all of the gods and goddesses that have come. I will be there behind your father, your uncles, aunts, and some of your siblings beside me on each side. All of the twelve Olympians plus your uncle Hades will be right there."

I had never met Poseidon or Hestia, but they sounded like nice people. If Triton was polite, I could assume that his father had to have some resemblance to him. After all, he had helped raise him.

"Everything will be just fine, Callidora, just remember to look pretty and please everyone." I nodded, looking up at my beautiful mother. She was a kind of beauty that could not be described in any language. It was clear she was a goddess, even out of divine form. I was not used to everyone in their humanlike forms, as everyone on Olympus strolled around in their rightful divinity. Of course, with Marcus (and apparently Alec through Aphrodite) being present, they had to shield Earthling eyes from their grace, that of which they could not handle. "Make sure none of your relatives hit on you, please, Marcus will start a fight."

"I don't think he'll-"

"Callidora, he is your mate, your soulmate, and you are pregnant with his children. If any man or woman, mortal or immortal, flirted with you it would mean that his claim is in question. Claim in question means a fight. We don't want or need that today. This is your day." I nodded in understanding. I wouldn't want Marcus to feel challenged. I was his and I would always be his, no matter what.

"Come on," Mommy beckoned me out of the room just as quick as she pulled me inside.

Our walk down the rest of the hallway was spent in silence. Wisteria lined those golden walls, draping down and matching well with the aura of the place.

Finally finding our way into the throne room, I watched my Daddy, who was sitting down in his throne, a cane of lighting in his right hand. His brown hair was swept back with a golden crown placed on his head. He definitely looked like a king. Mommy made her way behind him, taking a crown of her own and placing it on her head. This one was unlike any other I had seen before, going across her forehead. To be fair, it resembled a tiara more than anything. Still, gold was gold and she's the queen of the gods.

"Callidora," Daddy's voice boomed through the throne room. I made my way up, just as instructed, and bowed for him. He was a king after all and even as his daughter I would have to show my respects. A few seconds later, I heard his voice once more, "You are here by the will of Zeus, myself, the king of the gods, god of thunder and the sky. You, Callidora, the daughter of Zeus and Hera, princess of the gods and queen of the Volturi, mate of Marcus Volturi, freed vampire and king of the Volturi, soul brother to Aro and Caius Volturi. Called here today by recommendation of your sisters, Hebe, goddess of youth, and Artemis, goddess of the hunt.

"Born four months premature, you have shown great promise. Finding your mate a mere month after your monumental birth, you have brought together the Volturi, the ruling vampire coven in the mortal lands. Mated to a king, you are deemed a queen by immortal standards." I flinched slightly as Daddy stood from his throne. Many gods and goddesses whispered to each other. Never looking into my Daddy's eyes, I turned my head up enough to see Aphrodite, who stood next to an unknown woman, likely my aunt Hestia.

"Child born in the night, mated to a child of the night, you have never stumbled in your stance. Even as a newborn you found yourself on the top of the palace roof, much to your mother's dismay. Flight came easy, as well as language. That is where you have shown your true potential. The word did not come until last week, but your sisters have put in good words for you throughout these past three months." I gulped as he stopped right in front of you.

I took the queue, looking Daddy directly in the eyes. His stormy blues met my diluted, pale pink eyes in a clash. Adrenaline pumped through my veins in preparation for what he would say next. It was time. I would get to be the goddess of something.

"By the power invested by the gods, the palace, the underworld, and all of Olympus and Elysium, I shall make you into your perfect form, bring you power beyond belief, and tell you of your new domain." This was all for show, obviously. Just formalities, but it made my heart skip a beat, the anticipation almost burning a hole in my chest. My cheeks flushed with this newfound anxiety, rising up to my ears and likely into my entire skull. I was lucky that my control had gotten better, or I would have broken out into divine form right then and there, the pressure killing me.

"Callidora, my daughter, give me your hand." Torn away from my own quickening heartbeat, I give him my hand. "Child of the night, born in the snow, you are claimed. Claimed as the child of Zeus and Hera. Claimed as my own, you will always have your home in Olympus. Do you accept my claim?"

"Yes, father," I said with a steady voice, "I accept your claim."

"Claimed by Zeus and Hera, you are Callidora." Holding my hand, he pulled me up from the ground. It was now that everyone could see that I was pregnant. I was not too large, but definitely large enough for people to take notice. "By the will of the king, Callidora, you are deemed Goddess of Grace, a Goddess of fertility, and the Goddess of the Wisteria tree. Never stumbling, never falling. Able to conceive on the first try. The Wisteria has called to you, and you have answered. Do you accept your duties to this world and to your family? To Olympus and to your godly blood?"

"Yes, I accept my duties," I said. A bright, pulsing light tore through my mental shields, light pushing to the forefront of my mind. In an instant, I knew the words, the oath being put into my frame of reference. Can you hear me, child? Yes? Uhm- Say the oath, dear Callidora.

"I take my claim, make my oath.

Light of mind, I will take my time.

My work to Olympus, I will make this,

My home, my heart, my life.

Child of Wisteria, fertility, and grace.

My people will make it their place.

I will not falter. I will raise my own. I will plant my seed.

Even on cold nights I will be here.

I serve my father, my mother, my family.

I am served by mortality of the Earthly plains.

Here, I lay my claim.

My oath is to my servants, to my home, to my heart, of which my claim is made.

Bear me through immortal life, through thick, thin, and war

Be with me through all of these sorts.

Here is my oath, may it be enough."

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ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ʜɪᴛ 50ᴋ! ᴛʜᴀᴛ'ꜱ ᴀ ᴡʀᴀᴘ ꜰᴏʀ ɴᴀɴᴏᴡʀɪᴍᴏ, ʙᴜᴛ ᴛʜɪꜱ ꜱᴛᴏʀʏ ɪꜱ ɴᴏᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ɴᴇᴀʀ ᴅᴏɴᴇ!

ꜱᴏ, ꜱᴏ ꜱᴏʀʀʏ ꜰᴏʀ ʜᴀᴠɪɴɢ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴛᴀᴋᴇ ꜱᴏ ʟᴏɴɢ, ɪᴛ'ꜱ ʙᴇᴇɴ ꜱᴜᴄʜ ᴀ ʟᴏɴɢ ꜰᴇᴡ ᴡᴇᴇᴋꜱ ꜰɪʟʟᴇᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛʙʀᴇᴀᴋ ᴀɴᴅ ʟᴏɴᴇʟɪɴᴇꜱꜱ ꜰᴏʀ ᴍᴇ. ᴛʜɪɴɢꜱ ᴀʀᴇ ʟᴏᴏᴋɪɴɢ ᴜᴘ, ʙᴜᴛ ɪ ɴᴇᴇᴅᴇᴅ ᴀ ʙʀᴇᴀᴋ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜɪꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋ. ʜᴏᴘᴇꜰᴜʟʟʏ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴇxᴛ ꜰᴇᴡ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀꜱ ᴡᴏɴ'ᴛ ꜱᴜᴄᴋ.

ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ɢɪᴠᴇ ɴᴏᴛɪᴄᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛʜɪꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴛᴏ ᴄʜᴇᴄᴋ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴍʏ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ʙᴏᴏᴋꜱ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴛᴡɪʟɪɢʜᴛ. ɪ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ᴍᴀɴʏ ᴏꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʟꜱᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴛʜᴏꜱᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴛ, ʙᴜᴛ ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴀ ꜰᴇᴡ ɴᴇᴡ ᴏɴᴇꜱ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴀɴᴅ ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ɢᴇᴛᴛɪɴɢ ɪɴ ʀᴇᴀʟʟʏ ᴅᴇᴇᴘ ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴏᴍᴇɴᴛ. ɪ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛᴏ ɴᴏᴛ ᴀᴅᴠᴇʀᴛɪꜱᴇ ɪɴ ᴍʏ ʙᴏᴏᴋꜱ, ʙᴜᴛ ʀɪɢʜᴛ ɴᴏᴡ ɪ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ. ᴀᴛᴀʀᴀxɪᴀ ʜᴀꜱ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴍʏ ꜰᴀᴠᴏʀɪᴛᴇ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴏꜰ ᴍɪɴᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴇꜰɪɴɪᴛᴇʟʏ ʜᴀꜱ ᴛʜᴇᴍᴇꜱ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʜɪᴛ ʜᴏᴍᴇ ꜰᴏʀ ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ᴏꜰ ʏᴏᴜ.

ɪ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ ꜱʜᴏᴜʟᴅɴ'ᴛ ʟᴀʏ ᴅᴏᴡɴ ᴍʏ ʟɪꜰᴇ ᴏɴ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʟʟ, ʙᴜᴛ ɪ ꜰᴇᴇʟ ʟɪᴋᴇ ɪᴛ ᴍᴀʏ ɢɪᴠᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀ ʙᴇᴛᴛᴇʀ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀꜱᴛᴀɴᴅɪɴɢ ᴏꜰ ᴡʜʏ ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇɴ'ᴛ ʙᴇᴇɴ ᴡʀɪᴛɪɴɢ ᴀꜱ ᴍᴜᴄʜ. ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴅᴇᴘʀᴇꜱꜱɪᴏɴ, ᴀɴᴅ ɪᴛ ᴡᴀꜱ ɢᴇᴛᴛɪɴɢ ʙᴇᴛᴛᴇʀ ᴜɴᴛɪʟ Qᴜᴀʀᴀɴᴛɪɴᴇ. ᴀꜰᴛᴇʀ ᴛʜᴀᴛ, ɪ'ᴠᴇ ɢᴏɴᴇ ᴀ ʙɪᴛ ᴅᴏᴡɴʜɪʟʟ. ɪ ʜᴏᴘᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ'ʟʟ ʙᴇ ᴀʙʟᴇ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴇᴇ ᴍʏ ꜰᴀᴍɪʟʏ ꜱᴏᴏɴ, ʙᴜᴛ ᴀꜱ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴏɴᴇ ᴡʜᴏ ɪꜱ ʜɪɢʜ ʀɪꜱᴋ ᴀɴᴅ ʟɪᴠɪɴɢ ɪɴ ᴀᴍᴇʀɪᴄᴀ, ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ᴡᴇ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ʜᴀɴᴅʟᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏʀᴏɴᴀᴠɪʀᴜꜱ ᴛᴇʀʀɪʙʟʏ, ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴛᴀʏ ʜᴏᴍᴇ. ɪ ʙᴇɢ ᴏꜰ ʏᴏᴜ, ꜱᴛᴀʏ ʜᴏᴍᴇ. ᴅᴏ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴀɴ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴀᴠᴇ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴏɴᴇ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴍᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴍʏ ꜰᴀᴛʜᴇʀ, ᴡʜᴏ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ʜɪɢʜ ᴄʜᴀɴᴄᴇꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴅʏɪɴɢ ᴏʀ ʙᴇɪɴɢ ᴘᴇʀᴍᴀɴᴇɴᴛʟʏ ᴅᴀᴍᴀɢᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴀᴡꜰᴜʟ ᴅɪꜱᴇᴀꜱᴇ. ɪᴛ ᴋɪʟʟꜱ ᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ʜᴇᴀʀ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ ᴄʟᴀɪᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴜᴍʙᴇʀꜱ ᴀʀᴇ ꜰᴀᴋᴇᴅ. ᴀꜱᴋ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴜʀꜱᴇꜱ, ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴡɪʟʟ ᴛᴇʟʟ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴡᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ɢᴏɪɴɢ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜ ɪꜱ ʀᴇᴀʟ ᴀɴᴅ ᴀꜱ ʙᴀᴅ ᴀꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴇᴅɪᴀ ᴘᴏʀᴛʀᴀʏꜱ ɪᴛ. ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴍᴀʏ ɴᴏᴛ ᴋɪʟʟ ʏᴏᴜ, ʙᴜᴛ ɪᴛ ᴠᴇʀʏ ᴡᴇʟʟ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴋɪʟʟ ᴍᴇ, ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴛᴏ ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ꜰᴀᴄᴛ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ɪ ɢᴏ ᴏᴜᴛꜱɪᴅᴇ. ɪᴛ'ꜱ ᴛᴇʀʀɪꜰʏɪɴɢ, ɪᴛ'ꜱ ʀᴇᴀʟ, ᴀɴᴅ ɪᴛ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴍᴇᴀɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴇ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴍᴇ ᴡʜᴇɴ ʏᴏᴜ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ᴘʟᴀɴꜱ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ɪɴᴠᴏʟᴠᴇ ᴍᴀꜱᴋɪɴɢ ᴀɴᴅ ꜱᴏᴄɪᴀʟʟʏ ᴅɪꜱᴛᴀɴᴄɪɴɢ. ᴡᴇ ᴄᴀɴ ꜰɪɢʜᴛ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴠɪʀᴜꜱ, ʙᴜᴛ ᴡᴇ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴅᴏ ɪᴛ ᴛᴏɢᴇᴛʜᴇʀ. ɪ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ɪᴛ ꜱᴜᴄᴋꜱ. ᴍʏ ᴍᴇɴᴛᴀʟ ʜᴇᴀʟᴛʜ ʜᴀꜱ ʙᴇᴇɴ ᴀꜰꜰᴇᴄᴛᴇᴅ ʙʏ ɪᴛ ᴛᴏᴏ, ʙᴜᴛ ɪ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʀᴀᴛʜᴇʀ ʙᴇ ꜱᴀᴅ ɴᴏᴡ ᴀɴᴅ ᴀʟɪᴠᴇ ʟᴀᴛᴇʀ. ᴊᴜꜱᴛ... ᴋɴᴏᴡ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴡʜᴇɴ ʏᴏᴜ ɢᴏ ᴏᴜᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ʙᴇ ᴋɪʟʟɪɴɢ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴏɴᴇ. ʏᴏᴜʀ ɢʀᴀɴᴅᴍᴀ, ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴏɴᴇ ᴇʟꜱᴇ'ꜱ ɢʀᴀɴᴅᴍᴀ. ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴋɪʟʟ ᴀ ʙᴀʙʏ ᴡʜᴏ ᴅᴏᴇꜱɴ'ᴛ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴀ ᴅᴇᴠᴇʟᴏᴘᴇᴅ ɪᴍᴍᴜɴᴇ ꜱʏꜱᴛᴇᴍ. ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴏɴᴇ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴍᴇ, ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴀꜱᴛʜᴍᴀ. ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴏɴᴇ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴍʏ ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴅɪᴀʙᴇᴛᴇꜱ. ɪᴛ'ꜱ ɴᴏᴛ ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴋɪʟʟꜱ ᴏʟᴅ ᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ, ɪᴛ ᴅᴀᴍᴀɢᴇꜱ ʏᴏᴜ ꜰᴏʀ ʟɪꜰᴇ. ɪᴛ ᴛᴀᴋᴇꜱ ᴀ ʟᴏɴɢ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴄᴏᴠᴇʀ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴛᴏᴏ. ɪᴛ ᴅᴏᴇꜱɴ'ᴛ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛʜɪꜱ. ᴏᴠᴇʀ 250 ᴛʜᴏᴜꜱᴀɴᴅ ᴀᴍᴇʀɪᴄᴀɴꜱ ᴅɪᴅɴ'ᴛ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴅɪᴇ. ᴛʜᴀᴛ'ꜱ ᴛᴏᴏ ᴍᴀɴʏ. ɪᴛ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴛᴏᴏ ᴍᴀɴʏ ᴀᴛ 10ᴋ, ᴀᴛ 50ᴋ. ꜰʀᴇᴇᴅᴏᴍ ᴛᴏ ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴍᴇᴀɴꜱ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴ ꜰʀᴇᴇᴅᴏᴍ ᴛᴏ ᴠɪꜱɪᴛ ꜰᴀᴍɪʟʏ. ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜱ ᴀ ᴄʜᴏɪᴄᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴇᴛʜɪᴄꜱ, ᴏꜰ ʀᴇꜱᴘᴏɴꜱɪʙɪʟɪᴛʏ. ɪ ᴡɪʟʟ ʙᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ᴏɴᴇ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴀʏ ᴛʜᴀᴛ, ᴀꜱ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴏɴᴇ ᴡʜᴏ ʜᴀꜱ ʙᴇᴇɴ ᴀꜰꜰᴇᴄᴛᴇᴅ. ɴᴏ, ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇɴ'ᴛ ʟᴏꜱᴛ ᴀɴʏᴏɴᴇ, ʙᴜᴛ ᴍʏ ꜱɪꜱᴛᴇʀ-ɪɴ-ʟᴀᴡ ʜᴀꜱ. ᴍʏ ʙʀᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴡᴏʀᴋꜱ ᴀᴛ ᴀ ʜᴏꜱᴘɪᴛᴀʟ. ᴍᴀʏʙᴇ ɴᴏᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏᴠɪᴅ ᴜɴɪᴛ, ʙᴜᴛ ʜᴇ'ꜱ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ʜᴇ ɢᴇᴛꜱ ᴇxᴘᴏꜱᴇᴅ.

ᴍᴀꜱᴋꜱ ᴀʀᴇ ɴᴏᴛ ᴘᴏʟɪᴛɪᴄᴀʟ. ꜱᴏᴄɪᴀʟ ᴅɪꜱᴛᴀɴᴄɪɴɢ ɪꜱ ɴᴏᴛ ᴘᴏʟɪᴛɪᴄᴀʟ. ᴘʟᴇᴀꜱᴇ ʜᴇʟᴘ ᴘʀᴏᴛᴇᴄᴛ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ. ɪᴛ ɪꜱɴ'ᴛ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀɴʏᴍᴏʀᴇ, ɪᴛ'ꜱ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴏɴᴇ ᴇʟꜱᴇ. ᴄᴀʀᴇ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ʟɪᴠᴇꜱ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴀʀᴇ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ʏᴏᴜʀ ʜᴏʟɪᴅᴀʏ.

ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ʀᴇᴍᴇᴍʙᴇʀ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴀʟʟ ᴏꜰ ᴍʏ ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀꜱ. ɪ'ᴍ ᴀʟᴡᴀʏꜱ ᴏᴘᴇɴ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴀᴋɪɴɢ ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅꜱ. ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ɴᴏɴᴇ ɪɴ ʀᴇᴀʟ ʟɪꜰᴇ, ꜱᴏ ᴍʏ ᴏɴʟɪɴᴇ ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅꜱ ᴀʀᴇ ᴀʟʟ ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴀɴʏᴍᴏʀᴇ.

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