[https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/0adcdb2b-2a27-4d02-b707-ec3de1b96f2a/dfbff54-f566e80d-a519-4c0d-af06-6b28d0b49ca8.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzBhZGNkYjJiLTJhMjctNGQwMi1iNzA3LWVjM2RlMWI5NmYyYVwvZGZiZmY1NC1mNTY2ZTgwZC1hNTE5LTRjMGQtYWYwNi02YjI4ZDBiNDljYTgucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.SUCsItcFBYUjjXFcFRKB7GNj2xijntKbYKc9ZOuWqCw]
Lucidly realizing she's in a surreal state, Hailey wakes up.
She quickly raises from lying down to sitting up, dazed from her battery recharging slumber, like she rose from the dead.
"...I'm still here....I was hoping that was actually them.....I should of known better." Hailey says disappointedly as she blows her hair away from her face with a gust of exhale.
Keeping one eye open, Baron sees that Hailey is awake, opens both her eyes, stretches, then makes a grumbling growl.
Hailey looks over at Baron and smiles. The two are only feet away from each other as Baron reaches out with her big paw to touch Hailey's knee in a 'good morning' gesture.
"Good morning to you too, Baron." Hailey whispers looking over at the big cat gleefully with a sleepy smile, then stretching, herself.
Baron thinks she just heard a proper reply to her gesture, but then again, Baron doesn't do well picking up words and phrases from Hailey's language. The touch of her paw was affirmative enough, as she more deeply sensed Hailey, and how she felt, anyway.
The morning is slow to start so the two take their time. The fruit flowers closer to the creek, are a tempting breakfast for them, so they slowly work their way to the creek to indulge.
[https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/0adcdb2b-2a27-4d02-b707-ec3de1b96f2a/dfbfk4c-ec27be25-3a4f-430b-ac0a-b06162286d84.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzBhZGNkYjJiLTJhMjctNGQwMi1iNzA3LWVjM2RlMWI5NmYyYVwvZGZiZms0Yy1lYzI3YmUyNS0zYTRmLTQzMGItYWMwYS1iMDYxNjIyODZkODQucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.CmVdAd1K4OAWrglcvvFXp61K9UblIgxyd17hvoCNpLA]
She made it a whole night out in a Gannicus forest without any issues and better sleep. She woke up on her own and not by busy, rude, people, going on about their day. She wonders, as she's taking her time eating the delicious fruit flowers, if the woods, are the best place to stay. On Earth, this wouldn't necessarily be an issue as a lot of folks buy land and live out in the woods, however, on Gannicus, there's more rules and regulations, and she doesn't have anything, except her guard companion.
She's too young to know or care about all the rules on her planet but she does know staying here may bring trouble from Enforcers, if someone sees her, and rats her out. She just wants a nice bed to climb into and to have a stock of foraged plants in a small shelter big enough for her and Baron, and possibly a small stove, so she can keep warm and cook food with. She's too inexperienced to do any of these so she thinks back to when she was in the alley, and had a plan. Hailey gathers some thoughts in her head and makes them stick like she's concentrating on something.
"We need to execute the plan, Baron. We need to quietly and secretly leave here to find Nahlus. Let's gather some of these plants, and head out, okay?" Hailey says scratching the big cat's back as Baron closes her eyes, appreciating Hailey talking to her directly with Hailey's mind and touch like she's finally getting it.
[https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/0adcdb2b-2a27-4d02-b707-ec3de1b96f2a/dfbis31-5a20e7cc-fe37-4df5-bf7c-b23d89462bb9.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzBhZGNkYjJiLTJhMjctNGQwMi1iNzA3LWVjM2RlMWI5NmYyYVwvZGZiaXMzMS01YTIwZTdjYy1mZTM3LTRkZjUtYmY3Yy1iMjNkODk0NjJiYjkucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.1Rq_YdeLgSe_Ow0wZpl3RGLHXhceppqDyM6V_562joo]
"I need to bathe first.....how about you?" Hailey says while cracking a smile and looking at the big cat, still touching her. This time, the thought simply popped into her head without her having to hold it - that she needs to discard her old clothes and put on what was given to her by Nahlus.
Without missing a beat, Baron opens her big dark eyes, and turns her head to Hailey to gently nod.
Hailey then walks over to her stash, that she hid her gifts in yesterday, and picks out an outfit, and the pair of socks she thinks are the neatest. She leaves the rest of clothes in the stash, walks to the edge of the creek, still looking around for creatures and strangers, lays her outfit down, and jumps in the somewhat cool, and relaxing creek. The Nagh shine is all over her, orange and yellow bands of visually pure vibration, as she creeps in, one foot at a time, skin soaking up the natural all around her, with her hair busy from the gentle wind's embrace. Big green vines rooted and sweeping across the creek banks like loving arms, bouncing their ever wonderous fruit flowers, in the gentle Gannicus momentary breath. Big cat playful, full of energy, scoping her friend's environment for fiends, a grey and white masterpiece of furry protection, yet lovingly in adoration and humbled near her beloved Companion, purring as she too creeps in the creek.
While in the water, Hailey stands up to find a somewhat clean spot in her pants then realizes her shirt may be better off, then finds they're both pretty dirty. She rips off what she thinks is the least dirty part of her shirt, uses the water to flush out stains, inspects it, then folds it into a rag. She then drops down under the water with only her head poking out so she can disrobe without anyone seeing her. Taking the rag to her body, she attempts to clean herself as quickly as she can, splashing water in the making.
Baron is not too far from her, rolling around in the creek's silt, then spinning at the surface of the water to let the particles fall out of her fur. Baron is attempting to use the harshness of the silt to clean her fur. It appears this is not the first time the big cat has had to clean herself this way.
While the two are still cleaning, Hailey occasionally calls down Baron for making too much noise. The big cat isn't afraid of anyone so if someone does show up, she's certain she can handle it. Unfortunately, Baron doesn't understand Hailey since they're too far apart for touch communication, and Hailey can't communicate very well with Baron, telepathically, so the big cat continues to make splashes, upsetting Hailey.
"Okay that's enough." Hailey says seriously as she gets closer to Baron and touches her on her back as she attempts to spin.
Baron understands now. She looks around at the edges of the water and on shore, near the large green vines, to see if anyone is around. Since she was mostly playing, and the scratching on the bottom of the creek felt good, so she surrenders to Hailey's wishes, stops, and proceeds to the shore of the creek.
Hailey figures Baron understood and starts back to the shore where she laid her outfit. She wants to get out of the water, still hiding below the surface, but is embarrassed, and doesn't want to leave the water.
Baron, already on the shore, looks back at Hailey and growls lightly to get Hailey's attention.
Hailey peers over at the big cat as Baron proceeds to her stash of clothes. Hidden around a small opening, dry, with blue and orange rock around it, her clothes lay neatly folded. Baron gets a few shakes in to let water, before finally getting to the stash. Baron looks at the neatly folded clothes and nudges them with her nose so she can get a feel for their density. Thinking the big cat walked over there to mess up her stuff because Hailey was upset at Baron, Hailey begins:
"Hey! Don't do that! I had them folded for a reason!"
Ignoring Hailey's outburst but looking around to see if anyone heard Hailey, she starts prodding the clothes again to finally find what she's looking for.
Baron quickly trots over to Hailey with what she pulled and lays it closest to Hailey without getting it to close to the water where it would get wet.
"What?" Hailey says to Baron with Baron nudging the clothing.
"You want me to change outfits or somethi..." Hailey continues but is stopped by Baron strangely reaching out to press her paw on Hailey's shoulder, as she lays horizontal in the water, still covered by its surface.
"Oh! Okay....can you toss it to me?". Hailey says now calming down from her confusion.
Baron lightly grabs a large sweater like cloth she laid on the ground a few minutes ago, in her mouth, then flicks her head to chuck it towards Hailey.
Hailey grabs the sweater before it makes it anywhere near the water. Hailey then proceeds to get out, body part by body part, of the creek, while using the sweater as a towel, then covering herself up.
Somewhat dry now, she carefully starts putting on the outfit she laid next to the shore. When she's finally comfortably clothed, she uses the sweater to wrap her hair, walks over to her stash, puts on the shoes that Nahlus also gave her which fit perfectly, and nods at Baron that she is almost ready, while grabbing all the other items in the stash.
She walks closer to the shore where her old tattered clothes still lay, lays down her stashed items, rips off a few more pieces from her old pants, and begins to wash them in the creek. When she's satisfied of their cleanliness, she rings the water out of them, and folds the smaller pieces, seemingly to keep them handy for later.
Her old shirt still lays at the shore so she then decides to wash it as well. She begins to dry the shirt when satisfied, ringing it out and flapping it in the air, buttons every button, ties each side of the shirt's bottom to a middle part of that side's sleeve, and finally ties the ends of the sleeves together in what looks like a bag.
Having proudly done all this on her own and assured nothing will get wet from the shirt-bag, she throws all the stuff she wants to bring in it, neatly arranged, and leaving only the remains of the pants on the shore.
While Hailey has been busy with her last tasks before leaving, Baron has sniffed, looked, patrolled, and creeped around Hailey to ensure no one is around.
[https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/0adcdb2b-2a27-4d02-b707-ec3de1b96f2a/dfbis86-640cd6fb-d6df-4983-9eae-0b5b5c91a244.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzBhZGNkYjJiLTJhMjctNGQwMi1iNzA3LWVjM2RlMWI5NmYyYVwvZGZiaXM4Ni02NDBjZDZmYi1kNmRmLTQ5ODMtOWVhZS0wYjViNWM5MWEyNDQucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.1E7e4EMat8ic3jgEo_7CqEnQD50iltDHeRldWo9ZnMM]
Hailey and Baron are satisfied that their stay here has been the best so far out of all the luxury city street and dumpster rests they have had to endure over the past week. Hailey can't help but wonder why more people aren't out in this dense forest, full of colorful, fragrant, and wonderful life. She sees this part of her miserable journey as a refreshing escape, that she does not want to leave.
Here in the forest, there is no loud public transportation. There is no Enforcers, Dakaars, or even bloated loud mouths, to really worry about, it seems. She's convinced that this was not as good as her warm bed, with her loving parents near by, but the best she has had under the circumstances.
On Earth, us humans would go crazy from the bugs, critters, and creepy crawlers from a stay under Luna but here on Gannicus, it's not too much worry. Hailey learned long ago about how her government controlled, stifled, and ruined the existence of a lot of creatures that once inhabited Gannicus.
One day not too long ago, while her parents were still alive, in the Soc-fie district, while she was in government school, her teacher explained to her that the government had a program that eradicated certain species of animals and bugs:
"Now, if you look here on the screen beside me, you'll see that a branch of government, long ago, were created and then entrusted with bio-engineering, and eradicating unwanted species from, our great planet. Little did you know, however, that this program, and its apparatus, has been used for almost a hundred of our solar cycles for developing the world that we know today. Leave it to our kind religious leaders, and our government officials, to make the best world for children just like you." Hailey's teacher says enthusiastically as if a government official is standing right behind her, vindicating her speech, and in front of a class of children that act like they would rather be banging their heads on their desks than listening to her drivel.
Unlike most of the other children in her class, Hailey listens intently. Hailey's not trying to be kind to the teacher by listening, she's listening for holes, logic, and errors in the information being given, then formulating questions - a habit her teacher knows all too well:
[https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/0adcdb2b-2a27-4d02-b707-ec3de1b96f2a/dfbis81-3a9b0a05-8af2-4cb2-9c1f-9c5fb6384126.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzBhZGNkYjJiLTJhMjctNGQwMi1iNzA3LWVjM2RlMWI5NmYyYVwvZGZiaXM4MS0zYTliMGEwNS04YWYyLTRjYjItOWMxZi05YzVmYjYzODQxMjYucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.It38AtJzCvgr5_x6X8J-gzV7Mz1ApDRLfBjJPZCKUZU]
"Sigh....yes Hailey. Yes - once again interrupting my lesson." Hailey's teacher says while rolling her eyes and putting her hands on her hips, flailing out her long cut skirt, as Hailey raises her hand.
"Hi, uh you said that the government set up a program to eradicate certain species....I was just wondering why?" A sweet Hailey asks.
"Well dear, there were a lot of troublesome creatures that once roamed our planet and this program had a proven mechanism to eradicate them once and for all, so they used it." Her teacher replies with a smile.
"Who were they bothering?" Hailey continues with her head tilted, confused by the teachers reply.
The teacher starts rubbing her eyes, frustrated the child has her pinned, and replies:
"Our government decided that there were certain species, that affected other species, and this created a problem for our food supply." Her teacher says heavily and looking around the room for some semblance of closure to the conversation.
Hailey pauses, then formulates another question:
"Why couldn't we just find a better way than killing them?" Hailey says now a bit angry.
Her teacher, thinking she now has Hailey pinned, returns:
"Oh little one, we didn't kill them, they died of natural causes. Haha."
"How does a program that intends to eradicate a species, not intentionally, or as you say, bio-engineer, die naturally?" Hailey jumps back quickly.
"Hailey. I need to go over this with the entire class, and as you can see, they just want to get through it like I do." Hailey's teacher replies with an exhale of defeat.
"How...just this last question....I'm sorry." Hailey says endearingly.
Still frustrated, her teacher quickly replies to end the conversation:
"The program cut off their food supply - which happened to be one of ours, as well. The program hoarded the known food source for ourselves so we could have it, sprayed chemicals in the areas where the species foraged so the food source would go away, then monitored and repeated this same cycle throughout the planet."
With the class wondering where this came from, they too are now curious as to Hailey's inquisition. All the children turn to Hailey for a reply but nothing comes out. Past the shine of the screen that's showing the class the presentation, a young Hailey is madder than a hornet.
"Well if that will be all, I'll continue." Her teacher jumps back in thinking the conversation is over, then continues with the presentation:
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
"As you can see, the diversity of our habit has come down some, yes, but the good thing is we're still able..."
"Who gave them the power to do that?! What if it was US they cut the food supply off to!" Hailey yells out to the teacher who immediately stops again, now upset from the sudden outburst from Hailey.
"Young lady....I will not tolerate an outburst like that in my class!" Her teacher vehemently yells at Hailey, whom she cannot see because of the light from the screen, with her eyes wandering the room for Hailey.
Calmer, since she has to keep her demeanor towards students because every classroom has a security camera in it, and is being watched at all times, her teacher collects herself:
"Hailey, if you wish to discuss this further...see me after class. Thank you. I will continue now."
Hailey is still reeling with anger but managed to bite her lip and listen. She's so angry now she doesn't want to collect her thoughts to form any more questions against her teacher's lesson. As the lesson goes on, she studies the outside environment a little. In this school, it's much like where she was when she was at South Larrington School for Children except she has a little more freedom, plays a little more, and has her home to welcome her back to her parents. Hailey's attention is halted from an abrupt opening of the classroom door, by a strange looking woman:
"Ms. Silis. Your presence is requested immediately in the hallway." A strange lady says sternly enough to startle the children in the classroom a second time. Dark haired, yellow skinned, in a very clean appearance, standing in an awkwardly bipedal upright stance, the strange, demanding lady, continues:
"Ms. Silis, I will not wait a moment longer!" She screams while keeping every form of her body in that same exact spot.
Hailey's teacher whom she had argued with earlier, Ms. Silis, sinks her head down and begins to cry a little bit as if she knows what's wrong and can't get out of it.
"Ms. Sillis? I didn't want to hurt...." A gentle Hailey whispers from the back of the room.
[https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/0adcdb2b-2a27-4d02-b707-ec3de1b96f2a/dfbism1-2a29dac4-dc83-4c56-bed9-faf7aef36729.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzBhZGNkYjJiLTJhMjctNGQwMi1iNzA3LWVjM2RlMWI5NmYyYVwvZGZiaXNtMS0yYTI5ZGFjNC1kYzgzLTRjNTYtYmVkOS1mYWY3YWVmMzY3MjkucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.WhEViF77YExcnX1xZaLb8x3ClMWAm5NGWIh3SBgXzCc]
"Sweet child......I'm sorry children I will return shortly." Ms. Silis says as she begins to cry uncontrollably now existing the room.
The children begin to talk amongst themselves, asking questions to each other like if they've ever seen a person like this before or not. One child asks the entire room, another makes up a story about them that the class leans in to hear then suddenly realize the kid who spoke it is making fun, and a little girl who sensed something unsettling about the strange visitor, sits quietly, thinking to herself.
Hailey wonders why her teacher, who she gives crap to all the time, is out in the hallway. None of the children have heard a peep from the hallway because the doors in each classroom are soundproof and completely solid. The government decided with schools in this district that it would be better to have no distractions from the outside while class is in session - to make sure their doctrine was being received, and not muddied from sounds or faces. The World Government's vision is to succeed in transforming what once was a creative, root of their future, into a go along to get along, empty sponge.
She doesn't hold a grudge against Ms. Silis because Hailey is little - she doesn't hate or want to hurt anyone, let alone be hurt. She's only engaged with the woman because of curiosity. On this planet if your kids act out, they are sent to a school like South Larrington School for Children, then the parents are later notified they will not see their children for some time. Often, papers get lost and parents are coping with the fact they can't leave their government assigned job and take public transportation, to actually get their kids back. Most parents, at least in the Soc-fie district, simply struggle, and a good bit struggle with losing their children through this act.
Hailey remembers her parents warning her not too long ago to act right while in government school or they won't see her again. Hailey was never told where they actually go or what happens.
Hailey stands up to walk towards the door of the classroom, while all the other children gasp with fear.
"What?" Hailey says as she shrugs her shoulders and continues:
"I'm just trying to find out where Ms. Silis is...."
Before Hailey could get to the door, a loud voice, almost like a robot crackling over a PA system on Earth, begins:
"SIT DOWN. SIT DOWN. SIT DOWN. SIT DOWN. SIT DOWN."
Hailey stops, heart pounding, trembling with fear, and looks up at the camera system where she thinks the sound is coming from. She backs away from the door while the robotic voice is still blaring over the PA system, stepping only backwards, slowly, to finally arrive at her seat and sit down. The voice over the PA then immediately stops. Suddenly, the classroom door swings violently open:
"Young lady! Your presence is needed in the hallway, immediately!" The strange lady screams as if she is now losing her temper.
The class looks around the room to see if any other kid knows who she is talking about but can't find anyone willing to stand up and say 'ok'.
A moment passes and the strange angry lady continues:
"Little girl with the goofy socks! The one that made the outburst a little while ago at Ms. Silis.........NOW!"
Hailey shocked and her heart pounding even faster, shaking from head to toe, moves her desk slightly in angst, winces then closing her eyes, slowly starts to step towards the lady but the lady continues again:
"Get your butt out her NOW!"
Hailey, terrified, walks a little faster now completely derailed because she has no idea what's going on, and suddenly remembers her parent's warning.
Hailey walks out still trembling in fear of not knowing what to do or how to get out as the strange lady slams the door behind Hailey almost like a display of power and personal elation of her control over these young Beings.
Hailey stands in an empty hallway next to a strange, well-kept lady, who smells like she's been wrestling a worn mop over a stack of dusty papers.
The lady stairs contently at Hailey who is now looking at the lady in complete terror. Moments pass as Hailey notices something else about the lady. Her eyes seemed to glow with a flashing red color, like embers burning in a fire surrounded by darkness.
That didn't help Hailey one bit to settle down and only made her open her mouth a bit more as the poor girl trembled. Hailey is standing in front of a lady so terrifying that the two appear as night and day. Clean, powerful, and mysterious lady dressed all in dark topples over a young girl who has hand me down, slightly torn, and worn out clothes, that slightly smell, holey shoes and brightly colored socks, featuring her favorite government kid's program character, Stavio.
Hailey can't say a word. She is in shock from the accompanying supernaturally demonic strangeness she had just witnessed in the lady's eyes.
The lady is a bit calmer but sternly looks deeper into Hailey's eyes, squints while on approach, and smugly begins:
"Little girl, do you know who I am?"
Hailey is finding no solace that the lady is closer to her so she can only shake her head 'no' as the lady quickly continues:
[https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/0adcdb2b-2a27-4d02-b707-ec3de1b96f2a/dfbi1yr-a86af4cc-7cfb-4a63-9502-3c00c4db1abc.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzBhZGNkYjJiLTJhMjctNGQwMi1iNzA3LWVjM2RlMWI5NmYyYVwvZGZiaTF5ci1hODZhZjRjYy03Y2ZiLTRhNjMtOTUwMi0zYzAwYzRkYjFhYmMucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.KVTJsdzULZYD9UZIyTQp6Fe3AhFPTNU4OqOew5IbQdU]
"I'm a Federal Agent. That means, from time to time, I peak in on government run organizations like news networks, reporting agencies, food suppliers, and even schools, like this one."
Hailey, still extremely uncomfortable and so badly in fear of the lady, she starts tipping towards her, falling in, as the lady presses on:
"That also means I'm in charge of making sure they run smoothly, per the World Government rules, which I am an expert on, for all facets of its existence.......AND YOURS!"
Hailey jumps at the lady who's now raising her voice and looses her balance, then starts to back up awkwardly to the downtrodden exterior wall of her classroom. The federal agent intends to intimidate Hailey so she keeps the same distance while Hailey moves away. She then continues:
"I'm in charge of running your life. Your friend's life. And even your teacher's life. Understand?"
Hailey, shocked by what she just said about her teacher, draws a sword of courage from the depths of her soul, and whispers with a trembling voice:
"Wha....what happened to Ms. Silis?"
The federal agent turns her head as if she's trying to get a read on the girl again, flashes her red-ember eyes, and replies:
"Haha....Ms. Silis doesn't work here anymore."
The federal agent devilishly smiles at Hailey then slowly comes back to an upright position to continue while still staring at Hailey:
"We don't allow anyone, between all branches of World Church or World Government, to ever allowing questioning of the policies we have in place for the greater good. WE DO NOT tolerate an ounce of it......surely, you understand?"
Hailey, still confused as to why her teacher is missing, remembers how much trouble she is already in and shuts her mouth. The federal agent looks up then out towards the window that's close to the Hailey's classroom, walks over to it, away from Hailey, as Hailey begins to settle with her departure, then looks outside.
The lady stares out for a moment and smiles. She then turns her head at the young, terrified, Hailey, and motions Hailey to come over to the window.
Hailey is not sure if she should go over to the lady but she thinks again about all the trouble she's in, then slowly proceeds over to the window to glance between the threatening woman, and the outside world.
Storm clouds gathering amongst the green aurora borealis-like light across the sky, a weak Nagh sunshine casts light down onto the street like a small beacon of purity being extinguished from a looming chaos as Hailey shrieks in terror as she starts to cry:
"NOOOO! "
The federal agent is taking so much delight in the torment of young Hailey that she tilts her head back and starts to laugh, continuously. Other teachers walking down the hall poke their head around the corner to see the mysterious federal agent cackle, then quickly go to their destinations, like a turtle's head returning to its shell on Earth who sees an immediate threat.
Hailey watches as her teacher, Ms. Silis, is being slammed up against an all black vehicle, attempting to get out of a body-bag-like suit, and then body slammed onto the ground so hard by Enforcers that she doesn't move anymore. The Enforcers grab her body and throw it in the back of the vehicle as Hailey sees what appears to be blood coming from the inside of the body-bag-suit, and starts to cry hysterically.
"See kid? Things don't always work out when you don't do your job so it's important to take note that if you don't do what you're told to do, especially in this feeble district you call home, things could end very badly for you." The federal agent says while smiling maniacally at Hailey.
The federal agent relishing in destroying young Hailey's mind, leans down to finish young Hailey off for good:
"Those of us that have been chosen to lead, lead. Those of us that have been chosen to work, work. Those of us who have been chosen to die....well, you get the picture."
Hailey, angry and completely devastated, musters up a spot of courage for a deserved outburst to the hateful creature standing next to her:
"Why would you do that? I didn't mean for her to get into trouble! I was just wondering why things were..."
"Let me stop you right there little one." The federal agent abruptly halts Hailey as she pauses, then leans down again.
"You are in no place, in this world, to say anything against...STOP CRYING!" The federal agent stops so she can grab ahold of Hailey who is still crying in terror from what she had just seen.
"If you do not stop crying I'm going to send you somewhere really awful, and you'll never see your parents, EVER AGAIN!" The federal agent says as Hailey is shook by her.
Collecting her thoughts as soon as she was shaken by the federal agent, Hailey starts to zone out. She has a tough time remembering things in these small glimpses of her life for a reason, as we'll find out later, but for now, you should know, a dying Hailey in the present time, is reliving everything that is going on, and recalling all of these tortured, buried, memories.
Listening to the lady go on about how the federal government controls all aspects of life here on Gannicus, Hailey's powers start to crest once more. She sees a dark aura around the federal agent, her red ember eyes are now solid red like a demon that has captured the poor girl in an Earth like hell, and intends to hurt her, but Hailey is just drifting off, senseless in the moment with all the chaos around. Hailey hears the black vehicle peel out away from her school, slowly, as if time is on the cusp of just stopping, while the Earth-like thunder rolling from outside, bellows, like Hailey is inside of a loud echo chamber full of growling beasts. The lightning outside screeches across from sky to ground loudly while flashing light across the federal agent's violent face. The lightning is sometimes so violent here, that moments before a lightning bolt strikes, water vapors collect around it near the clouds. With a water vapor crust, lightning then cracks it open from the electric energy, and streaks out fire at their base like a flame thrower.
[https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/0adcdb2b-2a27-4d02-b707-ec3de1b96f2a/dfbitcm-72cfcab1-0a72-49fd-9898-898ffd8ae06f.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzBhZGNkYjJiLTJhMjctNGQwMi1iNzA3LWVjM2RlMWI5NmYyYVwvZGZiaXRjbS03MmNmY2FiMS0wYTcyLTQ5ZmQtOTg5OC04OThmZmQ4YWUwNmYucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.QUHuDcCHSaOSKHImJkh6SlcFn4i8_fKh9velPVseDss]
In the present, Hailey is still in a cab on her way to a hospital, as these horrible past memories make her eyes twitch in the present.
A soft voice begins to talk to her as she looks over her shoulder, outside the window, while the federal agent is still yelling and shaking her. A beacon of light casts onto her eyes from between the Nagh star diminishing, and the darkness encroaching from the storm, up in the sky. A barely held tunnel forms between the beacon and Hailey, with wisps of cloud like blue, orange, and grey swirls circle it loosely, and slowly, as the voice begins:
[https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/0adcdb2b-2a27-4d02-b707-ec3de1b96f2a/dfbiraa-ba69837c-1a60-44d7-991b-610a71365bea.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzBhZGNkYjJiLTJhMjctNGQwMi1iNzA3LWVjM2RlMWI5NmYyYVwvZGZiaXJhYS1iYTY5ODM3Yy0xYTYwLTQ0ZDctOTkxYi02MTBhNzEzNjViZWEucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.7bXFyxsOdnhZJiXy7f8ONZBM5QmKdAz8V0m8aqIaJsU]
"Sweetheart, you can only go back so far in your mind before you start to lose yourself. There's just too much pain to remember. You're here, right at the beginning of what you need to progress. Please come back. I'll be here, waiting and reaching out when I can, to stop you from going too far. Just remember we have all the time in the world because of who you are, and where you're from - time is not important, only you are. Take steps forward now, and not back.
Before I go.....I also wanted you to know that every place in the universe, even in your past, and in your mind, I will always be there to tell you that I love you....my timelessly sweet beloved girl."
The tunnel rapidly collapses into a vapor, then into a small dot in the sky and flashes as time starts to quicken, and as Hailey is still being shaken by the federal agent.
An Enforcer approaches the federal agent and Hailey, quickly, while out of breath, then yells:
"Hey! That's enough. We're done here. Let her go."
Hailey is not scared of this woman or anything around her anymore. The federal agent relinquishes her grasp from being called down on by the Enforcer who is grossly overweight and tall, adorned with World Government, official, attire.
Hailey only hurts from the bruising the federal agent caused to her arms, and nothing else. She doesn't feel quite incomplete at this very moment like she has most of her forgetful life. It's like all parts of her time, from this past experience, to her homelessness struggle, to her present day turmoil, are all linked together now.
Realizing all of this, Hailey looks at the camera down the hallway, then at the federal agent, and begins:
"You won't hurt me anymore." Hailey says with her eyes firing up a glowing green aura as the Enforcer and federal agent start to choke, eyes wide open, looking down at the young girl, with wind sweeping across their clothes from down the hallway like someone opened a window to embrace the approaching storm.
Moments ago, Hailey noticed that the hallway camera's light is off- indicating no one is watching. The Federal Agent must have turned them off somehow.
"You won't and I will make sure you won't." Hailey continues as her voice gets a bit of electric static.
[https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/0adcdb2b-2a27-4d02-b707-ec3de1b96f2a/dfbgvv8-b13ee08f-bc76-48fe-8cd2-92bb2997917e.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzBhZGNkYjJiLTJhMjctNGQwMi1iNzA3LWVjM2RlMWI5NmYyYVwvZGZiZ3Z2OC1iMTNlZTA4Zi1iYzc2LTQ4ZmUtOGNkMi05MmJiMjk5NzkxN2UucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.LcRjNs0GoS2FRJllJKEGRAtraTiPgw2uAXCb-amRd8I]
Blue and red semi-transparent orbs come out of the young girl's chest and flash in front of the Enforcer and federal agent. Hailey draws her arms up like she's struggling to raise a table. Both the Enforcer and federal agent's feet begin to rise from the floor as Hailey stares them down.
"Ahh I see now. You think this is funny? I know who you are little girl!" The federal agent screams as the wind in the hallway begins to increase, deafening the hallway, while the storm is still, violently, on approach from afar.
The lights in the hallway flicker but it's not clear whether it's Hailey or the menacing storm.
"Oh really? Who am I then?" Hailey says as her voice deepens a bit with an accompanying higher pitched, angelic-like tone - like she's perfectly controlling her two vocal chords at the same time, in sync, on different octaves.
The federal agent is having such a hard time breathing as Hailey has her and the Enforcer, both raised, that she spits and chokes in an attempt to return:
"*Calgh*....you're a...*calgh*...... telekinetic....like me!....except.... *calgh*...I've never seen anyone this....*calgh*....powerful."
The Enforcer, still trying to breath, glances back and forth between the young Hailey and the federal agent, in complete horror. From the powers being emitted from this innocent looking, young, girl, he's worried that he's about to die.
"I can beat you!" The federal agent tries to mumble.
"No. I've realized that I won't let you." A strong-willed Hailey says triumphantly still clearly using her unique voice.
Hailey takes a moment as the two are dangling above the school's hallway floor. With the storm now here and flashing light from rolling thunder, Hailey slowly starts to lower the two back down.
Noticing all this, she's realizing that she doesn't have to kill anyone to fix things on her world. She was so angry before, however, that she would have, knowing what she does now.
Feeling the sensation of life crawling back into their bones, the federal agent begins again:
"Little girl! I hope you're happy! You're coming with us!"
The Enforcer nods his head in agreement as he listens, frantically checking his throat for tender spots with his hands, and finding some as he winces.
The federal agent angrily approaches Hailey, running towards her like a wild bull.
Suddenly, Hailey tilts her head and closes her eyes like she's trying intently to concentrate, with orbs coming out of her chest again and rushing to the foreheads of the two aggressors.
In an instant, the Enforcer and federal agent violently drop to the ground like a sack of sand. The federal agent's face drags across the broken tile on the floor, smearing her cheap makeup and slightly scaring her face. The Enforcer falls on his butt, then falls back completely, and hits his head on the floor's tile so hard he smashes a complete tile into pieces.
On approach to her classroom door, walking over their still breathing but unconscious bodies, Hailey says with her split octave, electro-static voice, eyes still glowing green, and smiling from ear to ear:
"You won't remember,......but now,......I will."
[https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/0adcdb2b-2a27-4d02-b707-ec3de1b96f2a/dfbit4r-c8c18bbb-cdbb-4c1f-aba6-e74e9ae499f5.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzBhZGNkYjJiLTJhMjctNGQwMi1iNzA3LWVjM2RlMWI5NmYyYVwvZGZiaXQ0ci1jOGMxOGJiYi1jZGJiLTRjMWYtYWJhNi1lNzRlOWFlNDk5ZjUucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.WhtCwP_qNqo4KPANKsZmYxwM-Cgw4h-N6Lyqh7yLeQk]