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[MiniKitty]

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**"Who are you?"**

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Aspen is a bit down lately, so I take her to a very special spot.

Sure, when do we leave?

The place happens to be very dangerous, so I can not take you with us.

Uhm, if that place is dangerous, you should have a gunboat with you!

Lev', you should really stay here. It is too dangerous.

This debate went on for a few more minutes until Lazurith finally gave in. If that place was so dangerous, why go there? I am too deep into the matter already. Do I understand anything that is happening here? No. Could a gunboat be useful to protect my friends? Yes. It is as simple as that.

Aspen and Kimiko joined in Omicron Delta, at the freeport. There, the debate started anew.

He is not prepared.
He is not ready for this.

You should stay here at the freeport, pal.

Please, just wait here for us, okay, Lev'?

They belittle you.

I am ready to grow up.


This time it took about half an hour. Then, at some point, Kimiko offered to test me. I accepted. If I would pass, they would take me with them. Like that, I faced the one thing I never wanted to face. This entire space fish telephony talk. Voices in my head.

Nothing new to you.

I can do this!


I can do this.

You can not do this.

**"I will show you a fraction of the horrors and dangers you must be prepared for out here."**

I can do this!

**"Do you wish to test the maelstrom that awaits you, boy?"**

My head hurts. Her voice is so much louder, booming. It feels like pressure on my head. Like a thunderstorm.


I, uhm, do not know what a maelstrom- is but bring it on-


Static. My ears hurt. Screeching sounds, like a plasma cutter with a broken plasma cell.

I fall off my seat. I hold my head.

I can do this.
I- can- do- this!
I can do this.

Something is digging into my head. Like a drill, a nail.
I- can-
I can do this.

**"I have killed men far more worthy than you, boy.

Left them SCREAMING in their last moments."**

I can do this. Wish she I lie in my own vomit. would not be this edgy. The dra-The boy are kicking me.ma. She does this They use plasma cutters to cut my skin. way too often. She enjoys I wish I would bleed out, but the wounds get sealed instantly. it. Spooking around, using They break my ribs with their boots. her alien magic whatever They steal my water. it is. I do not under-They want me to die.stand. I do not want You are only good for one thing, kid. to know. I do not Some pervert will pay good money for a slave boy with a big one. want to have her in my head.
I will-
I think Mother is gone. Off to Malta. Not her choice. she is otherwise okay. Do Dad got moved to Alabama. Is that in Liberty? Never heard of it before. not know anything about No food at home. No money left. her, but I also do not know I need to drop out of school and make money. Stealing.anything about anything. Kris Got caught. Got beaten. My jaw hurts. and Aspen surely have good I can not sit. It hurts. reasons to keep her I want to die. around, even with her Stop touching me! weird episodes. To STOP TOUCHING ME!! Revenant, she is probably just an asset. I wonder It is all over me. what Rebecca Why does nobody stop this? thinks of her. Probably I will run away. the same she thinks To the mines. of anyone else. I can do this.

**"You tread in the GARDEN of DEAD GODS."**

I can do this.
I-
I can do this.

**"KNEEL."**

I cannot do this.

I want to die.

Told you.

Help me!

I do not think I can.

Take over, please!


Just take over, please!

We are pretty fucked.

Try it, at least.


I am just a kid! Innocent, insecure. This is too much for me!


I am too pragmatic. Nothing I can think of can deal with this. Except you.

I am full of hate.
She will hate this.
Remember when we threw up?
How sensitive she got about me?
She will not like this.

Just do it!


Just do it.

It will hurt, but it will work.

When a kid is exposed to the brutal nature of humans,
it gets used to it.
Bully it,
starve it,
beat it,
rape it.
At some point, the limit is reached.





That is when the mind gets creative.
They call it mental illness,
but in truth, it is the only defense.
The only option to death.


For us, it meant to become three minds sharing one body.
The innocence,
the survivor
and
the... banished.
For a lack of a better word, that is me.


I am all that was swept under the carpet.

Look at you. My mere presence surprises you.

Like you, I am unnatural.

**"Is it him, or me...? Or kin, or..."**

You can read me, can you not?


I have figured you out.

**"Where are you coming from, embers..."**

Ridiculous.
What a standoff.
You do not know what I am.
I do not know what you are.
Neither of us can harm each other.
I will take over when this happens again.













My nose bleeds, huh!


What happened? I do not remember. My head hurts. Blood all over my flight suit. Feel a bit lightheaded. Kris and Aspen are on the comms. They sound worried. I am fine, though. Have not felt this great in a while, actually.


Anyway, we can start the test, Kimiko. I can do this!


They merely tried to gaslight me, and Kimiko did something to make my nose bleed. They made such a ruckus about the test. I am ready. I can do this. Why do you sound so worried, Kris? What are you writing down, Aspen? Anyway, let us just go to that cool place, okay? I am done arguing.

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