Post by Evelyn Kuller on Mar 8, 2015 22:23:03 GMT -6
Eve: I want to know what happened to you.
The cyborg besides her stops what he was doing to turn and stare at her curiously, or what she assumed to be that. It was hard to tell with his mask and goggles on. They stood in the middle of an empty room, one of many in the compound, that was now to be a training room. They'd spent the last hour testing if her body suffered from fatigue under the curse's influence. She had done her best to let the curse's door open, so they could test it. She did not and, as she learned, neither did he. This had made her realize that, beyond what she had already seen of his cybernetics, the damage to his body had been extensive. She wanted to know just what the extent was.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: And why would you want that?
Eve: Well...I'm suppose to help you in your war with the Ten, yes?
Doktor Alexander Adversary: Only if you desire to. We're not going to force you into anything, even if you weren't the Perfect Evil.
Eve: But I am, and that's why. You can tell me stories of what could happen if they achieve their goals all you want, those kinds of “ifs” are still beyond me. To comprehend the threat, I need to see it.
The Doktor is silent for a few moments, before giving a slight nod.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: So be it. Follow me.
He turns on his heel and walked out of the room, Eve falling into step behind him. They navigated the maze of hallways to one of the main computer rooms, the nurse sitting at the computer, tapping at the keyboard. She turned her head to look at the two of the smile and smiled.
Nurse Francine: Yes?
Doktor Alexander Adversary: Bring up the camera footage from Aruba for Eve.
Her smile disappeared.
Nurse Francine: ...are you sure, Alex?
Doktor Alexander Adversary: It's what she wants. Humor her.
Without another word or a look at either one of them he departs the room. Eve watches him go with a tilt of her head.
Eve: I've offended him, I think.
Nurse Francine: No, no it's just that....you need to understand. To Alex, what happened is still fresh in his mind. To him it's still yesterday.
Eve considered this, then nodded.
Eve: I understand. Trauma is hard to get past.
She only receives a small nod in response as the nurse returns her attention to the computer. She taps a few keys and moved through a few folders, until she reached the file in question. One double tap later, and the video came up, already paused. She stood up from the computer and looked back at Eve.
Nurse Francine: There. You can watch it.
Eve: Are you not staying?
She shook her head quickly, one hand unconsciously going to her shirt sleeve, tugging at it as she replied.
Nurse Francine: No. Never. I can't...deal with seeing things like this. Alex's is really bad, but really seeing what any of them have done just...brings back memories.
Eve blinked. She had never asked about her, or how she came to know the Doktors. The idea that the Ten had affected her like Eve had been, had never occurred to her. She put on her best smile and put a hand on her shoulder.
Eve: I understand. You don't need to see this again.
Francine seemed shocked at this amount of compassion from the girl with the emotionless curse on her. Then, the shock turned to relief, and she returned the smile.
Nurse Francine: Thank you, Eve.
Eve nodded, and Francine brushed past her as she exited the room. Now alone with just the computer, Eve approached it, placing one finger against the space bar. She took a deep breath, let it out...and hit it. The video began to play.
–
It was security camera footage, showing a lab. Rows and rows of tables were in this lab, each one covered in mechanical parts. Various inventions that were once complete, now being cannibalized to complete something greater. This something greater was set against the far wall of the lab. A large machine that she couldn't really understand the purpose of just from looking. It seemed to just be a mass of metal slammed together. Cyril's influence, she realized. Where form didn't matter compared to function.
The only man in the lab was who she assumed to be Alex. Looking at him as he was then, she realized he still had a difference from the identical man that created her. It was a look in his eyes. Like there was a purpose he was working towards, something he believed in. Something better.
The sudden realization that she'd never seen that look in his eyes since she met him hurt.
The video continued to show him tinkering on the machine for a few moments, before abruptly cutting to another camera. This one showed what she assumed to be the outside of the building, and the gathering happening.
There were three of them, the camera positioned behind them. Despite that, it was easy for her to realize who they all had to be. Each one of them had the same profile, with little difference. One of them seemed to be...bulging, more than the others. But beyond that, it was clear they were the same body. Same as Alex, same as her creator. More of the Ten.
The one that stood slightly in front of them, the one she decided was in charge of them, turned his head to regard the non-bulging one of them.
10.1: Have you taken care of the security?
The first response is a chuckle before words.
10.2: Their sensors were so amateur. I'm honestly disappointed that it was the best those two could manage together.
Bulging Adversary: I'm not. Easier to drag it out.
10.1: Correct. Let's greet our rebellious brother shall we? You may have the honors, Clark.
The bulging one steps towards the wall, pulling one fist behind himself as he does. He comes up to the wall, plants himself solidly, and his fist flies out.
The feed cuts back inside of the lab, in time for the east wall, the one across from where the machine was, to explode inwards. Metal and plaster sprayed everywhere, as Alex's head whipped around to view it. Instantly recognizing what was happening, he rushed for one of the tables, looking to grab what looked to be some kind of rifle on it. He never got the chance as 10.2, who she now realized was not wearing shoes, held up a tiny pistol and fired a laser through the center of Alex's chest. His run turned to stumbles, a hole in his chest now obvious to see as he slammed into the table and collapsed onto his side. He could only lay there and cough up blood as the three entered the lab.
10.1: An excellent shot, Howard. You must lend me one of those little laser pistols, they seem so fun to just play with.
The shoeless one, Howard, simply tosses him the pistol he just used on Alex.
Doktor Howard Adversary: Consider it a gift as thanks for you including me in this operation.
The one that remains unnamed takes a small bow to him.
10.1: You're more than welcome, dear brother. I'm not so egotistical that I can't admit I occasionally require assistance.
Doktor Clark Adversary: Close.
The leader of the three chuckles at this.
10.1: True. Clark, I think that this room is too cluttered. We need a nice clear space to talk with your brother, don't you think?
Doktor Clark Adversary: I concur.
The bulging man then set to grabbing the tables, weighed down considerably by parts, and tossing them against the walls like they were child's toys. In no time, the center of the lab was clear except for the three of them, some scattered parts, and a man with a hole in his chest. The leader stepped over to Alex, and knelt next to him. Alex coughed again as he looked up at him.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: ...Grant.
The leader, Grant, smiles down at him.
Doktor Grant Adversary: Alex. You silly boy. You should have let well enough alone.
Alex reaches a hand up, trying to reach out to him, but Grant only swats it back down.
Doktor Grant Adversary: Did you really think you would be able to get away with this? That you could keep a project like this from me? You both fooled others at meetings, but I could feel your intentions. You never had a chance to succeed.
He looked over at the machine against the far wall.
Doktor Grant Adversary: That never had a chance to succeed. Whatever it is. Howard would you be a dear and find out just what that was to do?
Doktor Howard Adversary: Of course.
The shoeless one stepped over to the machine and presses one hand against it, eyes closing in concentration. After a few moments his eyes open, expression twisting with disgust.
Doktor Howard Adversary: It was going to target us all. Via our shared blood and brain waves, it would have emitted a signal that would have shut us down.
Doktor Clark Adversary: They were going to lobotomize us all.
Howard nods, and Grant looks back down at Alex, shaking his head.
Doktor Grant Adversary: You'd do that to your own brothers? I'm appalled, Alex. And surprised. You know that would have killed the two of you as well.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: ...whatever the cost...
Grant rolled his eyes and stood up.
Doktor Grant Adversary: How childish. You could have done great things, Alex, but you just had to act like a rebellious teenager. And you know that this family does not abide that behavior.
He stops to dust himself off before taking a few steps backwards, turning to face the machine.
Doktor Grant Adversary: So let's get you truly acquainted with your mistake.
He slowly raised both hands, pointing them at the machine. He closed his eyes, concentrating as his fists clench. Then his eyes opened, revealing they had changed. They now glowed a bright, shining yellow. And as he starts to lift his fists, the machine begins to lift in the air.
He moved his fists around, moving the machine over towards Alex, who can only watch on helplessly. Soon, it hovered above him. A grin came across Grant's face just before he dropped the machine onto Alex's back. Alex screamed out, and screamed out again when the machine was lifted and then slammed back down onto him. And he screamed again, and again, and again. Until finally, his screams stopped either due to his vocal cords blowing out or the shock to his body being too much. The sound of his screams was replaced with other sounds.
The crunch of bones snapping.
The pulpy sound of organs being crushed.
And the laughter of the other two men.
Then finally, it ended. Grant threw his hands to the side, and the machine flew back into the wall it once rested against, embedding itself into the wall. His eyes returned to normal, and he started to collapse only for Clark to catch him. Grant rested his head against his shoulder, nose bleeding.
Doktor Grant Adversary: Well...that was exhausting. I think I could have picked a less strenuous field test for my new abilities.
Doktor Howard Adversary: And a less dangerous one.
Grant lifted his head enough to look at Howard who is pressing his hand against the machine again, frowning.
Doktor Howard Adversary: You damaged it. The power source is going wild. It will turn into quite a nice bomb in...oh, roughly ten minutes.
Doktor Clark Adversary: Great. And here I wanted to take my time and enjoy this.
Doktor Grant Adversary: My apologies, my muscular brother. I suppose we'll have to wrap this up quickly.
Grant pushed himself off of Clark, stumbling slightly but maintaining balance. They all looked down at Alex to see him try to move. His arm, awkwardly bent, tries to reach out to them as Alex babbles.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: please...i'msorry...i'msosorry...
Doktor Grant Adversary: Oh now this is just pathetic. Clark, please end this.
Clark stepped over to Alex, suddenly grinning. He reaches down, grabbing some of Alex's hair in his hands and lifting his head up so they can look into one each others eyes.
Doktor Clark Adversary: I always thought you talked too much.
And he then puts his foot out, jamming the tip of his foot into Alex's mouth. Alex's eyes widened, realization dawning just before Clark yanked hard on Alex's hair, forcing his head up and ripping his jaw off.
What came from Alex then was a pathetic crying sound, as he convulsed on the floor. Clark kicked the detached jaw away with a laugh. Howard arched an eyebrow at all this.
Doktor Howard Adversary: So are we being cruel for cruelty's sake now? Oh well. When in Rome.
He now stepped over to Alex, pulling a knife from a coat pocket. He knelt down and grabbed his head, lifting him slightly.
Doktor Howard Adversary: Sorry old boy, but I'm quite tired of those judgmental looks you'd always give us.
And he pressed the knife into the flesh next to Alex's left eye, and quickly slashed across, cutting through both of his eyes. He dropped his head and the knife, and stepped back to the others. They looked down at the blind, jawless, broken mess that was once their rebellious brother. And they all smiled.
Doktor Grant Adversary: Well, this was a wonderful bonding experience, but I think we should be leaving. We'll let dear Alex get nice and toasty.
Doktor Clark Adversary: Better than he deserves.
Doktor Howard Adversary: It's going to take a lot to wash the blood from my coat. Sigh.
And thus the three walked out of the lab through the hole they had made, without another look back at him. Thus the cameras caught the last moments of Alex's life. Alone, broken, one hand desperately reaching around, trying to find anything to grab onto.
And then the last thing it caught was the faintest glimpse of a flash from the machine, and the camera was destroyed.
–
The video stopped, ending on a frame of the machine starting to explode, and the broken heap that was Alexander Adversary. Eve placed one hand on the keyboard to support herself, her legs suddenly wobbly. Her other hand covered her mouth, silencing whatever noise might have come from her. She stays like this for a while, trying to understand what she had just watched. Finally, she pushed herself off of the keyboard, and turns, leaving the room. She heads for the training room they had made, entering it to find the cyborg waiting for her.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: So. You watched it. Did that give you what you wanted?
She just looks at him, seeing the man he had once been, then the broken mess they had turned him into, and finally the rebuilt cyborg in front of her. Her eyes teared up, and she rushed forward, Alexander's eyes widening as she embraced him. He froze, physical contact clearly uncomfortable for him, but Eve ignores this. She buries her face in his coat, and to his surprise she actually cries for a moment. She looks up at him, blinking away tears.
Eve: I understand now. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. You didn't deserve that.
She reached up and wiped away her tears, before looking at him again. He looks into her eyes, and he sees something new. A fire in her eyes, blazing hard. A fire that signaled a purpose. And she opened her mouth, and spoke the words that would set her Path forever.
Eve: They'll never be able to hurt someone again, what happened to me and to you will never happen again. Because I'm going to help you dismantle them.
Even as she said that, she knew it wasn't true. Not yet, at least. She still had to get her curse under control. She had to find her balance, and she needed to do it as soon as possible.
It was time to finish the work she and Mr. Bowie had started.
The cyborg besides her stops what he was doing to turn and stare at her curiously, or what she assumed to be that. It was hard to tell with his mask and goggles on. They stood in the middle of an empty room, one of many in the compound, that was now to be a training room. They'd spent the last hour testing if her body suffered from fatigue under the curse's influence. She had done her best to let the curse's door open, so they could test it. She did not and, as she learned, neither did he. This had made her realize that, beyond what she had already seen of his cybernetics, the damage to his body had been extensive. She wanted to know just what the extent was.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: And why would you want that?
Eve: Well...I'm suppose to help you in your war with the Ten, yes?
Doktor Alexander Adversary: Only if you desire to. We're not going to force you into anything, even if you weren't the Perfect Evil.
Eve: But I am, and that's why. You can tell me stories of what could happen if they achieve their goals all you want, those kinds of “ifs” are still beyond me. To comprehend the threat, I need to see it.
The Doktor is silent for a few moments, before giving a slight nod.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: So be it. Follow me.
He turns on his heel and walked out of the room, Eve falling into step behind him. They navigated the maze of hallways to one of the main computer rooms, the nurse sitting at the computer, tapping at the keyboard. She turned her head to look at the two of the smile and smiled.
Nurse Francine: Yes?
Doktor Alexander Adversary: Bring up the camera footage from Aruba for Eve.
Her smile disappeared.
Nurse Francine: ...are you sure, Alex?
Doktor Alexander Adversary: It's what she wants. Humor her.
Without another word or a look at either one of them he departs the room. Eve watches him go with a tilt of her head.
Eve: I've offended him, I think.
Nurse Francine: No, no it's just that....you need to understand. To Alex, what happened is still fresh in his mind. To him it's still yesterday.
Eve considered this, then nodded.
Eve: I understand. Trauma is hard to get past.
She only receives a small nod in response as the nurse returns her attention to the computer. She taps a few keys and moved through a few folders, until she reached the file in question. One double tap later, and the video came up, already paused. She stood up from the computer and looked back at Eve.
Nurse Francine: There. You can watch it.
Eve: Are you not staying?
She shook her head quickly, one hand unconsciously going to her shirt sleeve, tugging at it as she replied.
Nurse Francine: No. Never. I can't...deal with seeing things like this. Alex's is really bad, but really seeing what any of them have done just...brings back memories.
Eve blinked. She had never asked about her, or how she came to know the Doktors. The idea that the Ten had affected her like Eve had been, had never occurred to her. She put on her best smile and put a hand on her shoulder.
Eve: I understand. You don't need to see this again.
Francine seemed shocked at this amount of compassion from the girl with the emotionless curse on her. Then, the shock turned to relief, and she returned the smile.
Nurse Francine: Thank you, Eve.
Eve nodded, and Francine brushed past her as she exited the room. Now alone with just the computer, Eve approached it, placing one finger against the space bar. She took a deep breath, let it out...and hit it. The video began to play.
–
It was security camera footage, showing a lab. Rows and rows of tables were in this lab, each one covered in mechanical parts. Various inventions that were once complete, now being cannibalized to complete something greater. This something greater was set against the far wall of the lab. A large machine that she couldn't really understand the purpose of just from looking. It seemed to just be a mass of metal slammed together. Cyril's influence, she realized. Where form didn't matter compared to function.
The only man in the lab was who she assumed to be Alex. Looking at him as he was then, she realized he still had a difference from the identical man that created her. It was a look in his eyes. Like there was a purpose he was working towards, something he believed in. Something better.
The sudden realization that she'd never seen that look in his eyes since she met him hurt.
The video continued to show him tinkering on the machine for a few moments, before abruptly cutting to another camera. This one showed what she assumed to be the outside of the building, and the gathering happening.
There were three of them, the camera positioned behind them. Despite that, it was easy for her to realize who they all had to be. Each one of them had the same profile, with little difference. One of them seemed to be...bulging, more than the others. But beyond that, it was clear they were the same body. Same as Alex, same as her creator. More of the Ten.
The one that stood slightly in front of them, the one she decided was in charge of them, turned his head to regard the non-bulging one of them.
10.1: Have you taken care of the security?
The first response is a chuckle before words.
10.2: Their sensors were so amateur. I'm honestly disappointed that it was the best those two could manage together.
Bulging Adversary: I'm not. Easier to drag it out.
10.1: Correct. Let's greet our rebellious brother shall we? You may have the honors, Clark.
The bulging one steps towards the wall, pulling one fist behind himself as he does. He comes up to the wall, plants himself solidly, and his fist flies out.
The feed cuts back inside of the lab, in time for the east wall, the one across from where the machine was, to explode inwards. Metal and plaster sprayed everywhere, as Alex's head whipped around to view it. Instantly recognizing what was happening, he rushed for one of the tables, looking to grab what looked to be some kind of rifle on it. He never got the chance as 10.2, who she now realized was not wearing shoes, held up a tiny pistol and fired a laser through the center of Alex's chest. His run turned to stumbles, a hole in his chest now obvious to see as he slammed into the table and collapsed onto his side. He could only lay there and cough up blood as the three entered the lab.
10.1: An excellent shot, Howard. You must lend me one of those little laser pistols, they seem so fun to just play with.
The shoeless one, Howard, simply tosses him the pistol he just used on Alex.
Doktor Howard Adversary: Consider it a gift as thanks for you including me in this operation.
The one that remains unnamed takes a small bow to him.
10.1: You're more than welcome, dear brother. I'm not so egotistical that I can't admit I occasionally require assistance.
Doktor Clark Adversary: Close.
The leader of the three chuckles at this.
10.1: True. Clark, I think that this room is too cluttered. We need a nice clear space to talk with your brother, don't you think?
Doktor Clark Adversary: I concur.
The bulging man then set to grabbing the tables, weighed down considerably by parts, and tossing them against the walls like they were child's toys. In no time, the center of the lab was clear except for the three of them, some scattered parts, and a man with a hole in his chest. The leader stepped over to Alex, and knelt next to him. Alex coughed again as he looked up at him.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: ...Grant.
The leader, Grant, smiles down at him.
Doktor Grant Adversary: Alex. You silly boy. You should have let well enough alone.
Alex reaches a hand up, trying to reach out to him, but Grant only swats it back down.
Doktor Grant Adversary: Did you really think you would be able to get away with this? That you could keep a project like this from me? You both fooled others at meetings, but I could feel your intentions. You never had a chance to succeed.
He looked over at the machine against the far wall.
Doktor Grant Adversary: That never had a chance to succeed. Whatever it is. Howard would you be a dear and find out just what that was to do?
Doktor Howard Adversary: Of course.
The shoeless one stepped over to the machine and presses one hand against it, eyes closing in concentration. After a few moments his eyes open, expression twisting with disgust.
Doktor Howard Adversary: It was going to target us all. Via our shared blood and brain waves, it would have emitted a signal that would have shut us down.
Doktor Clark Adversary: They were going to lobotomize us all.
Howard nods, and Grant looks back down at Alex, shaking his head.
Doktor Grant Adversary: You'd do that to your own brothers? I'm appalled, Alex. And surprised. You know that would have killed the two of you as well.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: ...whatever the cost...
Grant rolled his eyes and stood up.
Doktor Grant Adversary: How childish. You could have done great things, Alex, but you just had to act like a rebellious teenager. And you know that this family does not abide that behavior.
He stops to dust himself off before taking a few steps backwards, turning to face the machine.
Doktor Grant Adversary: So let's get you truly acquainted with your mistake.
He slowly raised both hands, pointing them at the machine. He closed his eyes, concentrating as his fists clench. Then his eyes opened, revealing they had changed. They now glowed a bright, shining yellow. And as he starts to lift his fists, the machine begins to lift in the air.
He moved his fists around, moving the machine over towards Alex, who can only watch on helplessly. Soon, it hovered above him. A grin came across Grant's face just before he dropped the machine onto Alex's back. Alex screamed out, and screamed out again when the machine was lifted and then slammed back down onto him. And he screamed again, and again, and again. Until finally, his screams stopped either due to his vocal cords blowing out or the shock to his body being too much. The sound of his screams was replaced with other sounds.
The crunch of bones snapping.
The pulpy sound of organs being crushed.
And the laughter of the other two men.
Then finally, it ended. Grant threw his hands to the side, and the machine flew back into the wall it once rested against, embedding itself into the wall. His eyes returned to normal, and he started to collapse only for Clark to catch him. Grant rested his head against his shoulder, nose bleeding.
Doktor Grant Adversary: Well...that was exhausting. I think I could have picked a less strenuous field test for my new abilities.
Doktor Howard Adversary: And a less dangerous one.
Grant lifted his head enough to look at Howard who is pressing his hand against the machine again, frowning.
Doktor Howard Adversary: You damaged it. The power source is going wild. It will turn into quite a nice bomb in...oh, roughly ten minutes.
Doktor Clark Adversary: Great. And here I wanted to take my time and enjoy this.
Doktor Grant Adversary: My apologies, my muscular brother. I suppose we'll have to wrap this up quickly.
Grant pushed himself off of Clark, stumbling slightly but maintaining balance. They all looked down at Alex to see him try to move. His arm, awkwardly bent, tries to reach out to them as Alex babbles.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: please...i'msorry...i'msosorry...
Doktor Grant Adversary: Oh now this is just pathetic. Clark, please end this.
Clark stepped over to Alex, suddenly grinning. He reaches down, grabbing some of Alex's hair in his hands and lifting his head up so they can look into one each others eyes.
Doktor Clark Adversary: I always thought you talked too much.
And he then puts his foot out, jamming the tip of his foot into Alex's mouth. Alex's eyes widened, realization dawning just before Clark yanked hard on Alex's hair, forcing his head up and ripping his jaw off.
What came from Alex then was a pathetic crying sound, as he convulsed on the floor. Clark kicked the detached jaw away with a laugh. Howard arched an eyebrow at all this.
Doktor Howard Adversary: So are we being cruel for cruelty's sake now? Oh well. When in Rome.
He now stepped over to Alex, pulling a knife from a coat pocket. He knelt down and grabbed his head, lifting him slightly.
Doktor Howard Adversary: Sorry old boy, but I'm quite tired of those judgmental looks you'd always give us.
And he pressed the knife into the flesh next to Alex's left eye, and quickly slashed across, cutting through both of his eyes. He dropped his head and the knife, and stepped back to the others. They looked down at the blind, jawless, broken mess that was once their rebellious brother. And they all smiled.
Doktor Grant Adversary: Well, this was a wonderful bonding experience, but I think we should be leaving. We'll let dear Alex get nice and toasty.
Doktor Clark Adversary: Better than he deserves.
Doktor Howard Adversary: It's going to take a lot to wash the blood from my coat. Sigh.
And thus the three walked out of the lab through the hole they had made, without another look back at him. Thus the cameras caught the last moments of Alex's life. Alone, broken, one hand desperately reaching around, trying to find anything to grab onto.
And then the last thing it caught was the faintest glimpse of a flash from the machine, and the camera was destroyed.
–
The video stopped, ending on a frame of the machine starting to explode, and the broken heap that was Alexander Adversary. Eve placed one hand on the keyboard to support herself, her legs suddenly wobbly. Her other hand covered her mouth, silencing whatever noise might have come from her. She stays like this for a while, trying to understand what she had just watched. Finally, she pushed herself off of the keyboard, and turns, leaving the room. She heads for the training room they had made, entering it to find the cyborg waiting for her.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: So. You watched it. Did that give you what you wanted?
She just looks at him, seeing the man he had once been, then the broken mess they had turned him into, and finally the rebuilt cyborg in front of her. Her eyes teared up, and she rushed forward, Alexander's eyes widening as she embraced him. He froze, physical contact clearly uncomfortable for him, but Eve ignores this. She buries her face in his coat, and to his surprise she actually cries for a moment. She looks up at him, blinking away tears.
Eve: I understand now. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. You didn't deserve that.
She reached up and wiped away her tears, before looking at him again. He looks into her eyes, and he sees something new. A fire in her eyes, blazing hard. A fire that signaled a purpose. And she opened her mouth, and spoke the words that would set her Path forever.
Eve: They'll never be able to hurt someone again, what happened to me and to you will never happen again. Because I'm going to help you dismantle them.
Even as she said that, she knew it wasn't true. Not yet, at least. She still had to get her curse under control. She had to find her balance, and she needed to do it as soon as possible.
It was time to finish the work she and Mr. Bowie had started.
To be continued in 'Balance'
