1
Everything is dark, yet I can sense the presence of
Them.
I try to retrace my steps.
How did I arrive?
Most importantly
When did I arrive?
Has it been long?
Is she still alive?
Where is my minder?
Lost should be here to help me find Her.
Why is it so dark here?
Wait... Footsteps.
“Twinkle... Twinkle”
I’ve heard this voice before
“...little star...”
There is no way
“How... I wonder... what you are...”
But... I saw it with my own eyes
“Up... above... the world... So high...”
The lights suddenly turned on causing me to squint my eyes with temporary blindness.
“Like a Diamond... in the sky...”
The little girl finished her lullaby.
“I saw you die!” I scream at her.
“Well,” she started with a menacing laugh, “you didn’t stay to see the entire performance.” She tilted her head, revealing a dead stare.
“You died in my arms. I. Saw. You. Take. Your Last. Breath. I was there!” I kept screaming louder to get her to reason with me.
This can’t be real.
She can’t be real.
“Oh.” The little girl started, “but I am real.” She turned on her heel and was running away.
“We’ll meet again soon.” She stopped on her tracks. Turned around, “I promise.”
And with that, she disappeared.
I wake up in a cold sweat.
Breath in... out
10
Just a bad dream, I remind myself.
Breathe in.... out
9
It’s 40°F degrees in here
Breath in... out
8
But it actually happened
Breath in... out
7
It was years ago....
Breath in... out
6
I need to forget.
Breath in... out
5
I need to move on....
Breath in... out
4
It wasn't my fault
Breath in... out
3
But...if it was
Breath in... out
2
Doesn't matter
Breath in... out
1
Ok. One last time...
Breath in... out
0
I glance at the clock.
5:30
These sleepless nights are becoming more constant, and when i do get some sleep, I have nightmares.
I usually get this way twice a year.
On her birthday and on the anniversary of her....
I don't even want to finish that thought.
I get out of bed.
"It's too early." I hear Lost complain while I try to get him out of bed.
"We need an early start. We have a busy day. We have interviews to conduct at the palace, and you know getting through security is a pain and takes forever. C'mon Lost." I start to insist, "I need your help to find my official QOA uniform" I don't really, but giving my minder something to do will force him out of bed, he is my helper after all.
As i walk into my washroom, I find my NetGlass to listen to the news and announcements for day.
I look in the mirror, I see a perfect image of...
I quickly conceal my eyes with brown colored contacts.
When I walk out, I find my uniform laid out on my bed.
As an agent for the Quantic Order Association, I have to wear a uniform when I'm on official business. Since my business is in the palace, I have to wear my Royal issued uniform, which I'm supposed to wear with all my badges and medals.
As I start to put on my jacket, a horrible thought occurred, "Lost, didn't this uniform fit me better?"
Lost pops his head out of the washroom, "Is this a trick question?" He makes a face and says, "oh yeah, I see it. It's definitely tighter."
I walk towards my mirror, and inspect my body.
"I think the last time you wore it was when you accepted your medal of honor last summer."
Last summer
That was before we went undercover for three months.
I had to make some changes.
That was when my small petite frame became more muscular.
That explains why my uniform is tighter around my arms.
Once I finish dressing, I pull back my long black hair, into a sleek ponytail.
I glance at the clock again,
7:05
I tell Lost to hurry up, as a grab my badge, weapon, and my Net, and head out my bedroom door.
In the main hallway of my two bedroom apartment, I run into Rain, Misty, my roommate's, minder.
