Rays of light sneak through the blinds.

  Curtains sway gently.

  Warmth spreads through the room.

  And as I stand in front of the mirror, I remind myself.

  How I wish it would disappear.

  The formless thing gnawing at my head.

  Crawling on my skin.

  Though I know.

  It carries the scars I don't.

  The ones I should.

  [You sound like an old man.]

  I chuckle at myself, diverting my gaze from the mirror.

  I leave my room, sunlight rushing to my eyes.

  Walking down the corridor, I spot a crystal lying on the carpet.

  I pick it up, looking up at the ceiling.

  The chandelier's missing a piece.

  [I'll remind her later.]

  Putting it in my pocket, I resume walking, making my way to the entrance room.

  [Good morning, Hinozu.]

  He ties his laces, heading towards the door.

  [Good morning.]

  I sigh as he leaves.

  The balls of my feet brush the carpet as I hum, walking towards the kitchen.

  Sliding the doors open, I grab an apple.

  I pace around, eating the apple before leaving the kitchen.

  [I'm bored.]

  My fingers brush against the smooth walls. I tilt my head left to the rhythm of my steps.

  Soon enough, I stand in front of my bedroom.

  Walking inside, I close the door behind me before sitting on my bed.

  Swinging my legs.

  Humming my favorite song.

  [Should I go to sleep?]

  I shake my head.

  [Don't want to.]

  I drum my fingers on the mattress before lying down.

  A soft knocking on my door forces me to stand up.

  I open it.

  The old woman stands in front, showing me her car keys.

  Jenneah: [Good morning.]

  [Good morning. Is it time already?]

  I tap a finger on the wooden frame, expecting an answer.

  [...Yeah, you already know that.]

  I smile at her.

  [Alright. I'll get ready.]

  She nods.

  [Meet me outside. I'll wait in the car.]

  Closing the door, I scan through my closet.

  I pick some black shorts and throw them on my bed.

  Then, I reach for a white shirt.

  Stopping inches away.

  I grab a black shirt instead.

  After dressing up, I stare at myself in my vanity mirror, brushing a hand through my hair.

  Then, I open the door, steps echoing through the corridor as I rush outside.

  The Sun shines brightly, its warmth settling on my skin.

  It casts long shadows.

  I walk to the car, opening the door before sitting on the backseat.

  Jenneah starts the car.

  [I haven't put on my seat belt yet.]

  [Oh, right. I'll wait.]

  I pull on the seat belt, sliding it.

  Click.

  She steps on the pedal.

  Shadows dance in and out of the car.

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  Tall buildings tower above.

  Wind blows through the windows.

  Jenneah: [I know what you're thinking.]

  I shift uncomfortably, the leather seat burning my back.

  [What do you mean?]

  [You think I'm useless. You think I don't care enough.]

  Her grip tightens on the steering wheel.

  [I'm doing what you wanted. Isn't that enough for you?]

  I stare silently.

  I'm going to have a headache.

  [Nobody speaks to me. Am I that bad of a person? I know what I'm doing. I'm doing what you want.]

  [I don't want to. But you won't listen to me.]

  [That's why I don't care.]

  [Do what you want.]

  [Whatever you want.]

  [I don't care.]

  [Not anymore.]

  I sigh.

  [You've never really cared.]

  She jerks her head, staring at me. She quickly looks ahead, hands shaking a little.

  Jenneah: [D-don't look at me like that.]

  I tilt my head.

  [What?]

  Tall buildings shift to green fields and distant forests.

  Tall mountains can be seen from far away.

  When did we leave the city?

  [That look.]

  Ah, right.

  We were talking.

  [What do you mean?]

  [Nothing.]

  [Just... Don't.]

  I blink lazily, gazing outside. We pass by a small town with a few dozen stone houses and golden fields.

  [I can't get enough of seeing this.]

  I chuckle, sticking an arm out of the window.

  [Stop it.]

  [Hm?]

  Her voice rises.

  [Don't act like it's okay.]

  [Do I matter to you?]

  [Do you matter to you?]

  [Stop do—]

  [I don't want to talk about this.]

  Her lips quiver.

  She stays silent.

  Of course.

  After roughly an hour, the car stops in front of an ornate gate, a vineyard spreading wide behind it.

  The gate opens slowly, creaking.

  The car slithers through the road, passing by a stable with several horses and an archery range, before leading to a large palace that stretches for several meters.

  It seems to have been carved instead of built, with extremely detailed decor and windows throughout.

  The dark wooden door, twice the size of an adult, has two pillars on each side standing just as tall.

  A man stands outside, hands in his pockets. His suit neat and polished.

  I step out as the car comes to a stop, approaching the man with a bright smile. Jenneah stays inside, looking at nothing in particular.

  [Good morning, Herrig.]

  Herrig: [Good morning to you, too. You're 3 minutes early today.]

  He turns around, sliding the door open as I step inside. The black and white marbled tiles seem to shine, reflecting the soles of my shoes.

  Pristine white walls with golden details were decorated with various paintings and wall lamps. Carved pillars lined the walls.

  In front, an archway illuminates the whole area.

  [How's your house this clean all the time? You must have a lot of maids.]

  He scoffs, grazing a wall with his hand.

  Herrig: [I clean it myself.]

  My eyes widen in awe.

  [You mean, everything? It must take you hours... No, days!]

  Herrig chuckles.

  Herrig: [I've got a lot of time on my hands. I figured I could spend it on something rewarding.]

  [But what about your duties as an Exterminator?]

  A smirk plays on his lips.

  [That's what low rank Exterminators are for. Someone like me can do whatever they want. The IEM can't do anything about that.]

  He walks near the archway.

  Herrig: [Except when really dangerous Isothes appear, or when I have to reluctantly train someone like yourself.]

  Retrieving his pocket watch, he glances at it.

  Herrig: [It's time. Let's go.]

  [Alright.]

  I walk through, revealing a gigantic courtyard, enclosed by the entire palace walls. Grass blades sway gently, their green color pleasing to the eyes.

  Clouds settle on the skies, light filtering out of them.

  I take a few more steps, standing a few meters away from Herrig.

  Herrig: [Let's see what you've learned.]

  I feel an intense fluttering in my stomach.

  I breathe deeply, raising an arm.

  [You don't need to do that. We're not in a flashy movie.]

  I chuckle at his joke.

  [It helps me concentrate.]

  I focus on everything around me.

  The grass.

  The soil.

  The breeze.

  The sky.

  Myself.

  A chill down my spine.

  That.

  A mild burning sensation grows on my chest.

  My heart beats.

  Faster now.

  Herrig: [Focus.]

  I nod.

  Focus...

  And expel.

  How?

  Shift.

  Move.

  Divide.

  Expel.

  I concentrate on my body.

  The space around it.

  I close my eyes.

  And feel the world separating from me.

  Warping around me.

  You did it.

  The first step.

  A vacuum.

  Breath cycles around my lungs, carbon dioxide dissolving into simpler particles.

  A sharp headache claws at my head.

  I shake.

  I can't.

  Too risky.

  Oxygen and carbon travel to my blood vessels, cycling around as they feed my body.

  As I learned.

  After a long while of adjusting, I grasp the world outside me.

  It's tiny particles.

  And drive them off-course.

  Colliding.

  A blink.

  A loud sound deafens me as my vision blurs and shakes. I move in and out of consciousness.

  I try to breathe. I can't.

  I try to move. I can't.

  I try to think.

  I can't.

  A sliver of consciousness returns.

  I'm lying down.

  On the ground.

  Herrig stands there. On the same spot.

  Everything starts to fade.

  Then returns.

  And I glance at my body.

  My arms.

  My torso.

  My legs.

  Bones poke out, blood dripping down loose skin.

  I see my muscles spasm around my dislocated joints.

  I'm torn.

  Crippled.

  I knew this would happen.

  Because...

  It did before.

  Herrig approaches, walking.

  I fade.

  ——

  Moonlight sneaks through the blinds.

  Curtains cover the window.

  Cold lingers in the room.

  And as I stand in front of the mirror, I remind myself.

  That I could've disappeared.

  I graze my cheek.

  Intact.

  My hands shake.

  My body trembles.

  I'm scared.

  A faint knock.

  [Come in...]

  Barely a whisper. I clear my throat.

  [Come in.]

  The door opens.

  A smile appears on his face.

  On Ayumu's face.

  Ayumu: [Dinner's ready.]

  [Oh, okay. What—]

  [Is something the matter?]

  [What?]

  Ayumu: [You look like you've died.]

  He laughs, leaning against the doorframe.

  [You already know. I could've—]

  [Doesn't really matter, though.]

  My eyes widen, breath catching in my throat.

  [What?]

  He smiles. Sincerely.

  Ayumu: [You're admirable, doing something so hard. Must be nice!]

  [Are you crazy? I don't kno—]

  [Remember, pain is only temporary. When you make it, then you'll be very proud of yourself!]

  I stay silent, in shock.

  Though...

  Something considers it. Deep inside.

  Winning.

  Doing.

  Putting effort into something.

  Even if it means death.

  And succeeding.

  [Keep going, I believe in you!]

  I clench my fists, tears forming in the corners of my eyes.

  Kanna: [Thank you.]