EHEG (IC/Open/Anime/Slice-of-life)

[Sonitusia]

Morman was only allowed a quick backward glance of confusion and possibly regret at Charlotte as he was dragged out of the room against his will, though he refused to let the facade break. "Fine then! Seeing as how you can't handle this yourselves I'll gladly come along, a man with an axe doesn't stand any better a chance than an entire platoon wielding katanas!"

Charlotte dashed after them--or at least, she started to, before feeling the tingling again. No, no, no! But it was too late. She cried out, arching her back as her wings literally erupted from her skin, and she began to bleed. Several blood-tipped feathers fell to the ground, and she collapsed, moaning in pain.

George didn't turn around to check what had happened due to being sorely angered, and said, "You see, your fair lady is in pain now because you failed to kill the axed warrior earlier." He continued to pull Morman. "And if that's the case, I'll be sure to have you as the first line of attack against our foe! A true soldier you must be."

[Lancearc]

Morman was only allowed a quick backward glance of confusion and possibly regret at Charlotte as he was dragged out of the room against his will, though he refused to let the facade break. "Fine then! Seeing as how you can't handle this yourselves I'll gladly come along, a man with an axe doesn't stand any better a chance than an entire platoon wielding katanas!"

Charlotte dashed after them--or at least, she started to, before feeling the tingling again. No, no, no! But it was too late. She cried out, arching her back as her wings literally erupted from her skin, and she began to bleed. Several blood-tipped feathers fell to the ground, and she collapsed, moaning in pain.

George didn't turn around to check what had happened due to being sorely angered, and said, "You see, your fair lady is in pain now because you failed to kill the axed warrior earlier." He continued to pull Morman. "And if that's the case, I'll be sure to have you as the first line of attack against our foe! A true soldier you must be."

"I'm a leader of men you barbarian, not a common grunt! And we--I have to go back, anyway." Morman started to protest, finally attempting to dig his feet into the ground and break free of the man's grip. A number of bullet ants had started to crawl from Morman's hand and up the marine's arm, angrily biting and swarming along the limb in protest equal to their creator's.

[Sonitusia]

"Ooo, that stings." But the man had felt worse, having taken actual bullet wounds according to the short story Maria had thought up for him. George picked up Morman by the waist, and continued onwards carrying the boy like a rolled carpet. He then started whistling, starting to get used to the bite of the ants. "And all the greatest leaders fight with their men!"

[Lancearc]

"Ooo, that stings." But the man had felt worse, having taken actual bullet wounds according to the short story Maria had thought up for him. George picked up Morman by the waist, and continued onwards carrying the boy like a rolled carpet. He then started whistling, starting to get used to the bite of the ants. "And all the greatest leaders fight with their men!"

Morman rolled his eyes. Naturally. he thought to himself, though he continued his production of the angry insects.

Speaking of angry insects, the massive mantis had just noticed its creator being dragged off against his will and the winged girl in pain. While the winged girl was a priority of its master's, first came ensuring his creator stayed safe - which meant that the heavy footfalls of the guardian in hot pursuit of the marines and Morman became louder as the six legged creature got up to speed down the hallway.

[Atlannia]

Wallen Frost

Wallen smiled kindly at the small girl. "I'm going to take a wild guess and say you're hungry." He said, humorously. "I don't have much on me at the moment, but I have a chocolate bar that I could give you, if you're really hungry." He pulled out the chocolate bar, and offered it to her. "As for the boy, I don't know much in the field of medicine, but I know some. He'll be fine. Maybe." He looked curiously at the doll in her arms. "What's the name of this doll?"

"Vivienne," Amber replied stiffly, accepting the chocloate bar shyly, without making eye contact. The doll as usual was unpertruebd and waved enthusiastically from Amber's arms. "You know-" said Amber studying the chocolate bar in her hand warily. Those two words alone had been responsible for an impresseive percentage of the sentences that had gotten her in serious trouble already tg oday but Amber seemd to have trouble applying new information when it came to interacting with other people. "You know, there isn't much point confidently saying 'he'll be fine' if you're going to immediately add 'maybe' on the end, I mean that doesn't prvide any useful information at all,"

Why did I say that?! He just gave me chocolate so why did I think it was good idea to insult him? Why do I keep doing this ? Everyone's gonna hate me!

Amber thought stubbornly to keep this internal struggle from showing up in her expression. For the most part she was successful although the hand holding onto Viviene clenched slightly.

[Sonitusia]

Class was over at last, and Hark walked out of the classroom, feeling satisfied that everyone did well today in 4A. Better go check on 4C... He began to stroll around the hallways, the rifle still slung over his shoulder. He felt slightly pissed that he only now noticed that the barrel was warped, but he could replace it anyways. A Remington barrel shouldn't be too costly, I can probably get one off the surplus- *splish*

Hark had stepped into something wet, and so he looked down at the source. "What the actual fu- Oh damn, it's that girl with the doctor's note, isn't it?" It wasn't pretty, with blood starting to pool onto the floor. The professor hadn't seen this much blood since his time in the service, so it was an unpleasant surprise to say the least. Hark crouched down, poking the girl's wing and inspecting the ripped skin. This is her power I suppose? These kinds are always so nasty to observe. He then picked up the girl gently, careful to not hold on to any exposed wounds, and started carrying her off to the infirmary.

[Charlia]

Class was over at last, and Hark walked out of the classroom, feeling satisfied that everyone did well today in 4A. Better go check on 4C... He began to stroll around the hallways, the rifle still slung over his shoulder. He felt slightly pissed that he only now noticed that the barrel was warped, but he could replace it anyways. A Remington barrel shouldn't be too costly, I can probably get one off the surplus- *splish*

Hark had stepped into something wet, and so he looked down at the source. "What the actual fu- Oh damn, it's that girl with the doctor's note, isn't it?" It wasn't pretty, with blood starting to pool onto the floor. The professor hadn't seen this much blood since his time in the service, so it was an unpleasant surprise to say the least. Hark crouched down, poking the girl's wing and inspecting the ripped skin. This is her power I suppose? These kinds are always so nasty to observe. He then picked up the girl gently, careful to not hold on to any exposed wounds, and started carrying her off to the infirmary.

Charlotte moaned, blinking, still dazed. "Sorry... about the blood... it's not usually like this... don't know what went wrong this time." She closed her eyes, trying to ignore the pain.

[Empire of Donner land]

Jamie Books

Jamie closed his phone and smiled. Edwin had just given him permission to sentence them to a week of detention. He'd make sure they'd never want to go to this library ever again. "Alright! Listen up, you ungrateful little pieces of shit! Edwin himself has just sentenced Willow, Faron, and Maria to a week of detention, with yours truly." Jamie grinned, before continuing. "That means I can force you to read whatever I please. Therefore, you are all condemned to Stephen King horror books!" Finally, these brats would get their due. "Oh, and no talking to anyone outside the detention group." Jamie laughed in delight, then turned to Cyll. "Sorry, I had to tell some students their punishment. They caused the recent Spider Attack. So what were you saying?" This girl would get in trouble eventually too, and he would delight in giving the punishment. But for now, he was happy to help her.

Maximilian Steel

Max could only chuckle as he watched En angrily stomp his camera into a thousand pieces. En then asked him if he knew what a Thunderclap grenade did. "I do, but I'll humor you. What could something called a Thunderclap grenade ever do?" He rolled his eyes. If En was looking to threaten him, she'd have to find a better way to do it. "I'm sure the newbies would like to know, Miz Prezkitten."

Wallen Frost

Wallen smiled kindly at the small girl. "I'm going to take a wild guess and say you're hungry." He said, humorously. "I don't have much on me at the moment, but I have a chocolate bar that I could give you, if you're really hungry." He pulled out the chocolate bar, and offered it to her. "As for the boy, I don't know much in the field of medicine, but I know some. He'll be fine. Maybe." He looked curiously at the doll in her arms. "What's the name of this doll?"

Faron shrugged, Stephen King wasn't bad was he? People have weird powers around here so maybe some how he would make it terrible. "Does that mean we can go now or what?" He asked as politely as he could. Today was both stressful and good for mostly obvious reasons other than spiders. Faron stood up and adjusted his goodie once more This thing is so annoying, I might get someone to burn this he thought and looked at Lazarus Hmm he did have the power of electricity and usually lightning caused fires. Then Maria showed a paper after saying she had read them all showing some sort of comic she drew with them in it, it was suprisingly accurate. He looked back at Willow and blushed a little at what he had done before. "Sorry." He said with a slight smile.

[Sonitusia]

Class was over at last, and Hark walked out of the classroom, feeling satisfied that everyone did well today in 4A. Better go check on 4C... He began to stroll around the hallways, the rifle still slung over his shoulder. He felt slightly pissed that he only now noticed that the barrel was warped, but he could replace it anyways. A Remington barrel shouldn't be too costly, I can probably get one off the surplus- *splish*

Hark had stepped into something wet, and so he looked down at the source. "What the actual fu- Oh damn, it's that girl with the doctor's note, isn't it?" It wasn't pretty, with blood starting to pool onto the floor. The professor hadn't seen this much blood since his time in the service, so it was an unpleasant surprise to say the least. Hark crouched down, poking the girl's wing and inspecting the ripped skin. This is her power I suppose? These kinds are always so nasty to observe. He then picked up the girl gently, careful to not hold on to any exposed wounds, and started carrying her off to the infirmary.

Charlotte moaned, blinking, still dazed. "Sorry... about the blood... it's not usually like this... don't know what went wrong this time." She closed her eyes, trying to ignore the pain.

"Try not to speak too much if it hurts," Hark said, looking forwards to make sure he didn't bump into anything. There was what appeared to be a sketched and living World War I marine (most likely Le-Vif's doing) holding onto a student by the waist. "Afternoon, Captain," Hark said bluntly as he passed. The marine nodded, continuing to whistle with the ants trying to rip him to shreds.

Eventually, they had reached the infirmary. Hark always liked the infirmary for its quietness. Sometimes he took a small doozer there when he had overworked himself, but now wasn't the time for that. He laid down Charlotte onto an empty bed, and took a wet cloth to begin wiping the blood off. He rolled his sleeves up and got to work, cleaning the wound so that it didn't look like someone had done a freak murder.

[Lycanth]

Jamie Books

Jamie closed his phone and smiled. Edwin had just given him permission to sentence them to a week of detention. He'd make sure they'd never want to go to this library ever again. "Alright! Listen up, you ungrateful little pieces of shit! Edwin himself has just sentenced Willow, Faron, and Maria to a week of detention, with yours truly." Jamie grinned, before continuing. "That means I can force you to read whatever I please. Therefore, you are all condemned to Stephen King horror books!" Finally, these brats would get their due. "Oh, and no talking to anyone outside the detention group." Jamie laughed in delight, then turned to Cyll. "Sorry, I had to tell some students their punishment. They caused the recent Spider Attack. So what were you saying?" This girl would get in trouble eventually too, and he would delight in giving the punishment. But for now, he was happy to help her.

Maximilian Steel

Max could only chuckle as he watched En angrily stomp his camera into a thousand pieces. En then asked him if he knew what a Thunderclap grenade did. "I do, but I'll humor you. What could something called a Thunderclap grenade ever do?" He rolled his eyes. If En was looking to threaten him, she'd have to find a better way to do it. "I'm sure the newbies would like to know, Miz Prezkitten."

Wallen Frost

Wallen smiled kindly at the small girl. "I'm going to take a wild guess and say you're hungry." He said, humorously. "I don't have much on me at the moment, but I have a chocolate bar that I could give you, if you're really hungry." He pulled out the chocolate bar, and offered it to her. "As for the boy, I don't know much in the field of medicine, but I know some. He'll be fine. Maybe." He looked curiously at the doll in her arms. "What's the name of this doll?"

Faron shrugged, Stephen King wasn't bad was he? People have weird powers around here so maybe some how he would make it terrible. "Does that mean we can go now or what?" He asked as politely as he could. Today was both stressful and good for mostly obvious reasons other than spiders. Faron stood up and adjusted his goodie once more This thing is so annoying, I might get someone to burn this he thought and looked at Lazarus Hmm he did have the power of electricity and usually lightning caused fires. He looked back at Willow and blushed a little at what he had done before. "Sorry." He said with a slight smile.

Willow smiled at him sheepishly. "I should probably get used to that shouldn't I?" She heard the punishment of Stephen King books and almost squealed with delight. Stephen King!? Really!? Fuck yes! I've read tons of his stuff! She hid her excitement and relief by putting her head down and closing her eyes. She was ready to leave and do something that wasn't being forced to only whisper to Faron. She looked up at Jenn and Andrea with a questioning look. "How do you two know each other?"

[Lancearc]

When the mantis finally did catch up to the marines it initially decided that while these men weren't harming Morman, they were dragging him like a prisoner - logically, it should attempt to reclaim the creator without killing the kidnappers. It slowed its stride to match that of the marine holding Morman, and attempted several quick slashes at the man's arms, in an attempt to cut the man's flesh enough to cause considerable pain and, as it was planned, drop the creator from his grip.

[Mavorpen]

Willow smiled at him sheepishly. "I should probably get used to that shouldn't I?" She heard the punishment of Stephen King books and almost squealed with delight. Stephen King!? Really!? Fuck yes! I've read tons of his stuff! She hid her excitement and relief by putting her head down and closing her eyes. She was ready to leave and do something that wasn't being forced to only whisper to Faron. She looked up at Jenn and Andrea with a questioning look. "How do you two know each other?"

"Hm?" Andrea said, muffled. She lifted her head up and looked at Faron. "The is Jenn. She's my best friend." She explained, gesturing at her.

"I'm your only friend." Jenn remarked.

"That's not true, I have plenty of friends! Just this morning I was talking to some of them." Andrea protested.

"No, you have a fan club."

"No I-" Andrea began. Then she stopped herself and her eyes widened. "Wait. I do? You're just messing with me, aren't you?"

"Oh my, I promised them I would keep it a secret." Jenn said as she nonchalantly turned the page of her book.

"Jenn!?"

"Oh yeah." Jenn looked up from her book, ignoring Andrea, and grabbed the book under it. She slid it accross the table to Willow, revealing that it was the book about Egyptian mythology that she and Willow had grabbed at the same time earlier. "You wanted that, right? I'm already done with it."

"Huh? You know each other?" Andrea asked, accepting that Jenn wouldn't reveal whether she was messing with her or not. Though, admittedly she was being messed with regardless simply because of that fact.

"Yeah, we grabbed the book at the same time. Can you believe the nerve of her?" Jenn said. Andrew knew she was being sarcastic and didn't say anything in reaction to the seemingly hostile statement. Neither she nor Jenn considered that Willow probably wouldn't get it though and take it the wrong way.

[Charlia]

Charlotte moaned, blinking, still dazed. "Sorry... about the blood... it's not usually like this... don't know what went wrong this time." She closed her eyes, trying to ignore the pain.

"Try not to speak too much if it hurts," Hark said, looking forwards to make sure he didn't bump into anything. There was what appeared to be a sketched and living World War I marine (most likely Le-Vif's doing) holding onto a student by the waist. "Afternoon, Captain," Hark said bluntly as he passed. The marine nodded, continuing to whistle with the ants trying to rip him to shreds.

Eventually, they had reached the infirmary. Hark always liked the infirmary for its quietness. Sometimes he took a small doozer there when he had overworked himself, but now wasn't the time for that. He laid down Charlotte onto an empty bed, and took a wet cloth to begin wiping the blood off. He rolled his sleeves up and got to work, cleaning the wound so that it didn't look like someone had done a freak murder.

It wasn't the only wound--she had many scars of varying severity, some long since healed, some more recently, and a few wounds that were still healing. She moaned again as pain lanced through her mind, and then blacked out, having lost too much blood to stay awake.

She blinked, looking down at herself. She was twelve, now. This was the night... She felt a sting in her cheek, and stood, stepping quietly outside. The oozing cut seemed to get worse and worse, even though she had washed it every night. Tired as she was, it had to be washed again. There was probably time to hurry and still get a few hours of sleep later.

After shuffling sleepily to the edge of the pool--a wonderful blessing, for one such as she--she sat down at the edge and gazed into the still waters. She touched her wound, feeling the ugly gash that scarred her face. Seeing it made it sting even worse. It was more than just a physical blemish, it seemed to expose her soul, an ugly rut in her smooth skin that undressed her wounded heart.

Charlotte pressed her lips together, trying not to cry. Taking a handful of water, she dabbed the cut, and her efforts failed. Tears began to flow as heat surged through her face, making it feel as if he had dug into her wound and was tearing it wide open. Now every lash, every cut, and every bruise he had gouged into her skin began to throb.

She knelt again at the pool and gazed at her tear-stained face. Resting her hands in the shallows, she sighed. Who could ever love her now?

While shivering at her own memories, she imagined what would happen if Michael caught her out after bedtime. In her mind's eye, the swinging blade appeared in the pool's reflection as it ripped across her face, pounding her to the floor in agony. As she wept, his haunting laughter echoed, joining a chorus of others as they chanted in mocking hatred. The pitiful girl in the pool could only gaze up at her conqueror and cry. Covering her face with her hands, she wept bitterly, her body heaving in wave after wave of sobs.

As her convulsions began to ease, she looked up to see something, something far away. She stood, and began to walk towards it. As she walked, she heard a voice. Her own voice, at least, that of her younger self.

"I believe my time here is short, so short that I wonder if I will have time to finish this entry, and I wonder if it matters at all. If I make a hurried
escape or am dragged to a death sentence, who will ever read this missive, this journal of tortured body and tortured thoughts?

Who will care?

Because of my refusal, Michael is losing his patience with me. I think he is likely to kill me, but he is a hard one to predict. But no matter what tortures he brings, no matter how much flesh he rips from my back, I will never, never give in. No pain could be worse than if I were to willingly succumb. Even if I fail, at least I will have the dignity of knowing that I fought until I could fight no longer." Then a gasp. "What? What are you doing? Stop it! Stop, don't do this! Please, just leave me alone!" Then a scream, the sounds of a struggle. A shrill cry sounded, followed by a muffled moan. A pain-filled lament resounded through the air, its echo repeating several times before it faded away. Another shriek, long and sharp, followed by a series of halting wails, before an ominous silence, broken only by quiet sobs. Then the voice returned, this time quiet, emotionless, and cold.

"I descended into the shadowlands today. A specter of fear wrapped his cold, cruel fingers around my heart and led me into his chamber of treachery, a cube of torment that enclosed my mind in darkness. Can any instrument of torture deliver cruelty as savage? Does a dungeon's rack stretch a body as sadistically?

He bared my skin. He pierced my flesh. He robbed more than my life's blood; with his brazen face and callous dismissal, he robbed my innocence. He shattered my image of love.

And now I fall, staring up at him as he coldly walks away.

But I will not die. No; I will live, and I will never be caught off guard again. From now on, I will be ready. The pain will return, I am sure of it, but this time I will be ready, and each successive encounter will only strengthen my resolve. I will show no weakness. I will show no fear. And one day, I will return, and I will avenge myself.

Though dead, buried, and forgotten, I will rise again." As Charlotte continued, now beginning to understand what had happened, she grew closer and closer to the object until she saw what it was--a grave, a tombstone engraved with horrible words.

Here lies Charlotte, daughter of Nobody and his wife Nothing

Born--No one knows
Died--No one cares

Doomed to rot in this dark hole for all eternity

She touched the inscription, fell to her knees, and wept, her cries resounding through the cold, lonely darkness of her tormented mind.

She remembered everything now.

[Lycanth]

Willow smiled at him sheepishly. "I should probably get used to that shouldn't I?" She heard the punishment of Stephen King books and almost squealed with delight. Stephen King!? Really!? Fuck yes! I've read tons of his stuff! She hid her excitement and relief by putting her head down and closing her eyes. She was ready to leave and do something that wasn't being forced to only whisper to Faron. She looked up at Jenn and Andrea with a questioning look. "How do you two know each other?"

"Hm?" Andrea said, muffled. She lifted her head up and looked at Faron. "The is Jenn. She's my best friend." She explained, gesturing at her.

"I'm your only friend." Jenn remarked.

"That's not true, I have plenty of friends! Just this morning I was talking to some of them." Andrea protested.

"No, you have a fan club."

"No I-" Andrea began. Then she stopped herself and her eyes widened. "Wait. I do? You're just messing with me, aren't you?"

"Oh my, I promised them I would keep it a secret." Jenn said as she nonchalantly turned the page of her book.

"Jenn!?"

"Oh yeah." Jenn looked up from her book, ignoring Andrea, and grabbed the book under it. She slid it accross the table to Willow, revealing that it was the book about Egyptian mythology that she and Willow had grabbed at the same time earlier. "You wanted that, right? I'm already done with it."

"Huh? You know each other?" Andrea asked, accepting that Jenn wouldn't reveal whether she was messing with her or not. Though, admittedly she was being messed with regardless simply because of that fact.

"Yeah, we grabbed the book at the same time. Can you believe the nerve of her?" Jenn said. Andrew knew she was being sarcastic and didn't say anything in reaction to the seemingly hostile statement. Neither she nor Jenn considered that Willow probably wouldn't get it though and take it the wrong way.

Willow looked at Jenn a little hurt. It's not like she could see her from the other side of the bookshelf. She took the book from Jenn and began reading. "Sorry...I'll look harder next time..." she whispered almost inaudibly. Nice one there Willow. Already made yet another enemy. Good job on your first day. She sighed and focused on reading, waiting for the librarian to let them out. The longer she stayed in there the worse things got it seemed. Well, minus the whole her and Faron going on a...date thing. She smiled very very slightly at that.

[Charlia]

"Try not to speak too much if it hurts," Hark said, looking forwards to make sure he didn't bump into anything. There was what appeared to be a sketched and living World War I marine (most likely Le-Vif's doing) holding onto a student by the waist. "Afternoon, Captain," Hark said bluntly as he passed. The marine nodded, continuing to whistle with the ants trying to rip him to shreds.

Eventually, they had reached the infirmary. Hark always liked the infirmary for its quietness. Sometimes he took a small doozer there when he had overworked himself, but now wasn't the time for that. He laid down Charlotte onto an empty bed, and took a wet cloth to begin wiping the blood off. He rolled his sleeves up and got to work, cleaning the wound so that it didn't look like someone had done a freak murder.

It wasn't the only wound--she had many scars of varying severity, some long since healed, some more recently, and a few wounds that were still healing. She moaned again as pain lanced through her mind, and then blacked out, having lost too much blood to stay awake.

She blinked, looking down at herself. She was twelve, now. This was the night... She felt a sting in her cheek, and stood, stepping quietly outside. The oozing cut seemed to get worse and worse, even though she had washed it every night. Tired as she was, it had to be washed again. There was probably time to hurry and still get a few hours of sleep later.

After shuffling sleepily to the edge of the pool--a wonderful blessing, for one such as she--she sat down at the edge and gazed into the still waters. She touched her wound, feeling the ugly gash that scarred her face. Seeing it made it sting even worse. It was more than just a physical blemish, it seemed to expose her soul, an ugly rut in her smooth skin that undressed her wounded heart.

Charlotte pressed her lips together, trying not to cry. Taking a handful of water, she dabbed the cut, and her efforts failed. Tears began to flow as heat surged through her face, making it feel as if he had dug into her wound and was tearing it wide open. Now every lash, every cut, and every bruise he had gouged into her skin began to throb.

She knelt again at the pool and gazed at her tear-stained face. Resting her hands in the shallows, she sighed. Who could ever love her now?

While shivering at her own memories, she imagined what would happen if Michael caught her out after bedtime. In her mind's eye, the swinging blade appeared in the pool's reflection as it ripped across her face, pounding her to the floor in agony. As she wept, his haunting laughter echoed, joining a chorus of others as they chanted in mocking hatred. The pitiful girl in the pool could only gaze up at her conqueror and cry. Covering her face with her hands, she wept bitterly, her body heaving in wave after wave of sobs.

As her convulsions began to ease, she looked up to see something, something far away. She stood, and began to walk towards it. As she walked, she heard a voice. Her own voice, at least, that of her younger self.

"I believe my time here is short, so short that I wonder if I will have time to finish this entry, and I wonder if it matters at all. If I make a hurried
escape or am dragged to a death sentence, who will ever read this missive, this journal of tortured body and tortured thoughts?

Who will care?

Because of my refusal, Michael is losing his patience with me. I think he is likely to kill me, but he is a hard one to predict. But no matter what tortures he brings, no matter how much flesh he rips from my back, I will never, never give in. No pain could be worse than if I were to willingly succumb. Even if I fail, at least I will have the dignity of knowing that I fought until I could fight no longer." Then a gasp. "What? What are you doing? Stop it! Stop, don't do this! Please, just leave me alone!" Then a scream, the sounds of a struggle. A shrill cry sounded, followed by a muffled moan. A pain-filled lament resounded through the air, its echo repeating several times before it faded away. Another shriek, long and sharp, followed by a series of halting wails, before an ominous silence, broken only by quiet sobs. Then the voice returned, this time quiet, emotionless, and cold.

"I descended into the shadowlands today. A specter of fear wrapped his cold, cruel fingers around my heart and led me into his chamber of treachery, a cube of torment that enclosed my mind in darkness. Can any instrument of torture deliver cruelty as savage? Does a dungeon's rack stretch a body as sadistically?

He bared my skin. He pierced my flesh. He robbed more than my life's blood; with his brazen face and callous dismissal, he robbed my innocence. He shattered my image of love.

And now I fall, staring up at him as he coldly walks away.

But I will not die. No; I will live, and I will never be caught off guard again. From now on, I will be ready. The pain will return, I am sure of it, but this time I will be ready, and each successive encounter will only strengthen my resolve. I will show no weakness. I will show no fear. And one day, I will return, and I will avenge myself.

Though dead, buried, and forgotten, I will rise again." As Charlotte continued, now beginning to understand what had happened, she grew closer and closer to the object until she saw what it was--a grave, a tombstone engraved with horrible words.

Here lies Charlotte, daughter of Nobody and his wife Nothing

Born--No one knows
Died--No one cares

Doomed to rot in this dark hole for all eternity

She touched the inscription, fell to her knees, and wept, her cries resounding through the cold, lonely darkness of her tormented mind.

She remembered everything now.

When she awoke, her eyes were empty, dead and unfocused, staring blankly into nothing, and her face was expressionless. She wouldn't move. It was as if her mind had simply shut off.

[Lancearc]

The mantis' assault had served some purpose, at least enough of a distraction in combination with the ant swarm to wrest him free from the iron grip of the marine. It didn't take Morman long to take advantage of the opportunity. "I really must go captain, rest assured I will return to serve with you the next possible opportunity!" Morman waved as he took off back down the hallway, with speed that must have only been rivaled by a bullet flying through the air. He was able to slide to a stop however when he noticed blood - and a lot of it - on the floor, and his breath hitched for a second, his heart rate skyrocketing as his worry escalated.

There was enough blood to create a trail, though how Charlotte got up was beyond him. He didn't really need to pay much attention to where it went, he already figured it lead straight to the infirmary. He picked up his pace again, flying around corners and past the door to the infirmary before he stopped himself, turning back and rushing through the door. "What happened!" he questioned immediately. He recognized Hark, the teacher that had singled him out in home room, but he also saw Charlotte bleeding heavily and not conscious. "She doesn't look the best, what happened!" he asked again, on the edge of panic.

Her eyes suddenly opened again, but there was no expression and no sign of life in her eyes. He wasn't really certain that she was moving even to breath.

This was something he'd bore witness to before. "Charlotte...?" he spoke quietly, reaching out to take her hand. His voice was uneven, wavering.

[Charlia]

The mantis' assault had served some purpose, at least enough of a distraction in combination with the ant swarm to wrest him free from the iron grip of the marine. It didn't take Morman long to take advantage of the opportunity. "I really must go captain, rest assured I will return to serve with you the next possible opportunity!" Morman waved as he took off back down the hallway, with speed that must have only been rivaled by a bullet flying through the air. He was able to slide to a stop however when he noticed blood - and a lot of it - on the floor, and his breath hitched for a second, his heart rate skyrocketing as his worry escalated.

There was enough blood to create a trail, though how Charlotte got up was beyond him. He didn't really need to pay much attention to where it went, he already figured it lead straight to the infirmary. He picked up his pace again, flying around corners and past the door to the infirmary before he stopped himself, turning back and rushing through the door. "What happened!" he questioned immediately. He recognized Hark, the teacher that had singled him out in home room, but he also saw Charlotte bleeding heavily and not conscious. "She doesn't look the best, what happened!" he asked again, on the edge of panic.

Her eyes suddenly opened again, but there was no expression and no sign of life in her eyes. He wasn't really certain that she was moving even to breath.

This was something he'd bore witness to before. "Charlotte...?" he spoke quietly, reaching out to take her hand. His voice was uneven, wavering.

She was still 'awake', in a sense, but she didn't respond. Her eyes stayed fixed ahead, and the only sign she was even alive other than her vital signs was the fact that a single tear was falling from her eye.

[Lancearc]

The mantis' assault had served some purpose, at least enough of a distraction in combination with the ant swarm to wrest him free from the iron grip of the marine. It didn't take Morman long to take advantage of the opportunity. "I really must go captain, rest assured I will return to serve with you the next possible opportunity!" Morman waved as he took off back down the hallway, with speed that must have only been rivaled by a bullet flying through the air. He was able to slide to a stop however when he noticed blood - and a lot of it - on the floor, and his breath hitched for a second, his heart rate skyrocketing as his worry escalated.

There was enough blood to create a trail, though how Charlotte got up was beyond him. He didn't really need to pay much attention to where it went, he already figured it lead straight to the infirmary. He picked up his pace again, flying around corners and past the door to the infirmary before he stopped himself, turning back and rushing through the door. "What happened!" he questioned immediately. He recognized Hark, the teacher that had singled him out in home room, but he also saw Charlotte bleeding heavily and not conscious. "She doesn't look the best, what happened!" he asked again, on the edge of panic.

Her eyes suddenly opened again, but there was no expression and no sign of life in her eyes. He wasn't really certain that she was moving even to breath.

This was something he'd bore witness to before. "Charlotte...?" he spoke quietly, reaching out to take her hand. His voice was uneven, wavering.

She was still 'awake', in a sense, but she didn't respond. Her eyes stayed fixed ahead, and the only sign she was even alive other than her vital signs was the fact that a single tear was falling from her eye.

So she wasn't dead, that was a start. Her lack of awareness and total unresponsiveness to touch didn't make him feel any better though - this was him, after essentially murdering his own family, on the brink of losing another person that he cared about and...was he responsible for it? Was it because of his act that he was pulled from the room, and in her worry and pursuit did her wings erupt from her back? He still wasn't sure what happened.

His eyes became teary as he realized how close he was to once again going down that path of guilt and absolute depression.

[Charlia]

She was still 'awake', in a sense, but she didn't respond. Her eyes stayed fixed ahead, and the only sign she was even alive other than her vital signs was the fact that a single tear was falling from her eye.

So she wasn't dead, that was a start. Her lack of awareness and total unresponsiveness to touch didn't make him feel any better though - this was him, after essentially murdering his own family, on the brink of losing another person that he cared about and...was he responsible for it? Was it because of his act that he was pulled from the room, and in her worry and pursuit did her wings erupt from her back? He still wasn't sure what happened.

His eyes became teary as he realized how close he was to once again going down that path of guilt and absolute depression.

She saw him crying, and her tears increased, but she couldn't move. She couldn't speak, couldn't tell him she was all right. Well, she wasn't all right, but either way it hardly mattered--she couldn't do anything. Her mind was enclosed in darkness.

[Lancearc]

So she wasn't dead, that was a start. Her lack of awareness and total unresponsiveness to touch didn't make him feel any better though - this was him, after essentially murdering his own family, on the brink of losing another person that he cared about and...was he responsible for it? Was it because of his act that he was pulled from the room, and in her worry and pursuit did her wings erupt from her back? He still wasn't sure what happened.

His eyes became teary as he realized how close he was to once again going down that path of guilt and absolute depression.

She saw him crying, and her tears increased, but she couldn't move. She couldn't speak, couldn't tell him she was all right. Well, she wasn't all right, but either way it hardly mattered--she couldn't do anything. Her mind was enclosed in darkness.

"This isn't going to happen to me, alright? Not again..." Morman started to speak to the expressionless face that lay before him, ignoring the fact that Hark was even in the room. "I knew this would happen, I didn't want to say anything but I knew it!" he cursed himself, whatever gods existed, destiny or fate. This was why he'd been so much more shut out during his first year at the academy. He felt like if he grew attached to anyone, started to feel for absolutely anyone at all, that he might end up having the same kind of crippling guilt he felt over the deaths of...everyone else he was close to. Now, whether by blind misfortune or because he was simply poison to the health of everyone he cared for, it was happening again. It was like some kind of awful joke that followed him around and never seemed to end.

"You can't let this happen again!" he urged Charlotte with a shaky voice and, finally, allowing the tears he'd built up flow freely down his cheeks.

[Charlia]

She saw him crying, and her tears increased, but she couldn't move. She couldn't speak, couldn't tell him she was all right. Well, she wasn't all right, but either way it hardly mattered--she couldn't do anything. Her mind was enclosed in darkness.

"This isn't going to happen to me, alright? Not again..." Morman started to speak to the expressionless face that lay before him, ignoring the fact that Hark was even in the room. "I knew this would happen, I didn't want to say anything but I knew it!" he cursed himself, whatever gods existed, destiny or fate. This was why he'd been so much more shut out during his first year at the academy. He felt like if he grew attached to anyone, started to feel for absolutely anyone at all, that he might end up having the same kind of crippling guilt he felt over the deaths of...everyone else he was close to. Now, whether by blind misfortune or because he was simply poison to the health of everyone he cared for, it was happening again. It was like some kind of awful joke that followed him around and never seemed to end.

"You can't let this happen again!" he urged Charlotte with a shaky voice and, finally, allowing the tears he'd built up flow freely down his cheeks.

Move. Move, darn you, he needs you! I can't... can't move... can't get out! Let me out! Let... me... out! She tried to concentrate, and managed to move her hand a tiny bit, barely noticeable.

[Lancearc]

"This isn't going to happen to me, alright? Not again..." Morman started to speak to the expressionless face that lay before him, ignoring the fact that Hark was even in the room. "I knew this would happen, I didn't want to say anything but I knew it!" he cursed himself, whatever gods existed, destiny or fate. This was why he'd been so much more shut out during his first year at the academy. He felt like if he grew attached to anyone, started to feel for absolutely anyone at all, that he might end up having the same kind of crippling guilt he felt over the deaths of...everyone else he was close to. Now, whether by blind misfortune or because he was simply poison to the health of everyone he cared for, it was happening again. It was like some kind of awful joke that followed him around and never seemed to end.

"You can't let this happen again!" he urged Charlotte with a shaky voice and, finally, allowing the tears he'd built up flow freely down his cheeks.

Move. Move, darn you, he needs you! I can't... can't move... can't get out! Let me out! Let... me... out! She tried to concentrate, and managed to move her hand a tiny bit, barely noticeable.

Perhaps a more collected Robert Morman might have taken note of this subtle movement, but emotionally flustered and prepared to break down at the thought of losing the only person he'd truly opened up to at the academy, he didn't notice the slight movement, even as he held onto her hand. He only continued to wonder - why? Why after things were finally looking up did this choose to happen? Even after he thought it couldn't get any worse, the insane lumberjack ruining the one and only moment they'd really shared together, he was now hoping that she simply survived the day.

[Charlia]

Move. Move, darn you, he needs you! I can't... can't move... can't get out! Let me out! Let... me... out! She tried to concentrate, and managed to move her hand a tiny bit, barely noticeable.

Perhaps a more collected Robert Morman might have taken note of this subtle movement, but emotionally flustered and prepared to break down at the thought of losing the only person he'd truly opened up to at the academy, he didn't notice the slight movement, even as he held onto her hand. He only continued to wonder - why? Why after things were finally looking up did this choose to happen? Even after he thought it couldn't get any worse, the insane lumberjack ruining the one and only moment they'd really shared together, he was now hoping that she simply survived the day.

She was beginning to regain feeling in her fingers, and she tried moving them experimentally. They would move. Nothing else would, but at least she could move part of her body. She kept wiggling them, hoping he would notice.

[Lancearc]

Perhaps a more collected Robert Morman might have taken note of this subtle movement, but emotionally flustered and prepared to break down at the thought of losing the only person he'd truly opened up to at the academy, he didn't notice the slight movement, even as he held onto her hand. He only continued to wonder - why? Why after things were finally looking up did this choose to happen? Even after he thought it couldn't get any worse, the insane lumberjack ruining the one and only moment they'd really shared together, he was now hoping that she simply survived the day.

She was beginning to regain feeling in her fingers, and she tried moving them experimentally. They would move. Nothing else would, but at least she could move part of her body. She kept wiggling them, hoping he would notice.

When finally he did notice that she was beginning to exhibit more, hopeful signs of life, his eyes immediately lit up like a child's. It didn't do much to clear the tears that still pooled in them, but it stopped their flow down his cheeks almost immediately. He couldn't find it in himself to smile though, he could only tighten his grip on her hand and be glad that she wasn't dead. "I promised you nothing like this would ever happen again." he spoke, quietly, ashamed of himself. "And it took me not a day to fuck that up. Just...be okay, please..."

[Charlia]

She was beginning to regain feeling in her fingers, and she tried moving them experimentally. They would move. Nothing else would, but at least she could move part of her body. She kept wiggling them, hoping he would notice.

When finally he did notice that she was beginning to exhibit more, hopeful signs of life, his eyes immediately lit up like a child's. It didn't do much to clear the tears that still pooled in them, but it stopped their flow down his cheeks almost immediately. He couldn't find it in himself to smile though, he could only tighten his grip on her hand and be glad that she wasn't dead. "I promised you nothing like this would ever happen again." he spoke, quietly, ashamed of himself. "And it took me not a day to fuck that up. Just...be okay, please..."

She still couldn't move anything more than her fingers, and she couldn't look at him, but she squeezed his hand, trying to give him some degree of reassurance, no matter how small.

At least she couldn't feel the pain.