You made it past the first turning point. Well, we did. But as I said, that one was predetermined that I will live past it, and when it will occur. As for the next one, I'm not so sure. Only time will tell whether this is the end for me.

...

I feel tired. So.. so tired. I'm not in the sky, but I'm in my pool. I'll just listen to them instead.

The monster stopped dragging his heels after 2 long minutes of heavy sighing and groaning. A slight grin perked around those sunken cheeks of his and he walked to the edge of the street, toes teasing the liner of the canal. Fresh water flowed through, perfect purification system. "Is that a dude in there?" he cracked up, stretching out a muscular finger to point at my pathetic figure, obscured by the surface of the water.

"Maybe it used to be. It's a corpse now." stated the lightning in his monotone voice. I can feel his exhaustion second hand.. I wonder what fuels a person like that? The lightning nudged the monster with a slight push and spoke, "Let's go. We need to find the others."

As the monster and the lightning begin walking away, one was left behind; the prey. She yelled to them, "Demi, Claive! I see bubbles, he's alive!" her finger pointed to me stiffly, shaking. Feeling fear for someone she'd never seen before. I think Brighton told me people like that are easy to control, I shouldn't be that way. The monster promptly whipped around and briefly gripped the lightning's arm, "CLAIVE, HELP ME GET HIM OUT! FUCK, WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY SO SOONER!" the monster- Demi, desperately yelled as he sprinted into the canal where I rest, water ever so peacefully flowing into my lungs. I soon felt a set of strong hands grab my arms, followed by another splash, two feet in- then his whole body, then the hands gripping my ankles. They exerted such great force as they pulled me out.. The monster, and the lightning, Demi, Claive.

A burning sensation harsher than light, and a shiver as the cool water meets the warm summer air. I'm outside, aren't I? Towers housing hundreds of minds extend into the sky around me. Water, power, and compressed air flows underway. The power flows through the sky as well, the airborne conductors remind me of insects; transmitting invisible signals to one anothe-

"Hey! Hey, come on! Wake up!" the panicked prey called out to me, slapping my face with small hands. I respond by allowing my mouth to open. The water flowed out from my lungs, out from my mouth, joining the slowly evaporating pool under my head. I've never rest my head on something so rough before. Uneven rock of some kind. Is this the asphalt Brighton spoke of?

"Dude. Talk to me! HEY!" the prey shook me now, roughly. I dislike it. "Hello. I am The Owl. I eat, think, bleed, and cry; I promise I'm human, just like you. Don't be afraid." I greeted her. I spoke so clearly and calmly, I could see the shock on her face. I know why too. Most people would be coughing or choking right now, well- dead actually.

"I think he just escaped from an asylum." Claive half-joked, staring at me with visible concern. I needed to ease this concern. "No- I come from the sky. You can ask my handlers, I believe- No, actually you wouldn't have access to communications with them.." I mutter, fingertips fidgeting inside the metal cages locking my hands and wrists in place.

Demi waded past Claive and the prey who were huddled around me, he pushed them away and grabbed my wrist firmly, before tugging me up. Pain flashed through his back as he strained to pull me up. “It’s okay, I can stand.” I assure him as I get myself up the rest of the way, my heavy body hovering up to a standing position. I stood taller than any of them, even Claive by a couple inches. I feel like some sort of obelisk, outfitted in dark metal, covered head to toe in technology, and they’re wearing fabric. I think this one is called cotton, and polyester. Natural and synthetic components, but-

“If you can stand then follow us. We have friends to find. Come on.” Demi ordered, and the pack kept moving, with or without me. I decided to follow them and my feet dragged after them, one foot in front of the other. I’m not really sure where I’m going or how long I’ve been walking. There’s so much space, the air flow keeps changing, and the temperature too. Even the light levels change, and-

“Hey Demi, wait up! He’s standing still again!” Shouted the prey, as she tugged at my wrist. “Dude, move. I’m gonna have to leave you behind next time, I’ve done this seven times now.” Now that I think about it, it probably has been that many. I’ve been so lost in thought I can’t really tell what’s going on or what I’m doing. But I’m trying to focus more now. I’m walking and I’m still near them. The world is getting smaller, I can tell because there is less open space. I asked them, “Why is the world shrinking? There’s no open space left, are we allowed to be here?”

“It’s a residential area for Rex-U students, of course it’s packed. You aren’t even allowed to drive here- Are you blind or something?!” Demi snapped at me. I felt a lump rise in my throat.

“Demi, take a look at the dude. He has a visor on, probably can’t see through it. Hey, uh- Owl, right? Cool if I take that visor off ya?” Claive asked politely, taking a look at the others then back at me as he awaits my response. “No, it doesn’t come off. Feel free to try though,” I respond. I felt his hands on my face in turn, trying to slide the visor up or down, but it didn’t move at all, it’s bolted into my skull after all. He gave it a rough pull next, and I scrunch up my face in pain. My arms wanted to move but this mobile restraint system makes it pretty hard.

“You’re kidding me, Claive. Let me try.” Demi chuckles, before walking over and rolling his right wrist. Weird, why is he pulling his fist back like that, is he holding something I can’t s-

I feel dizzy and my head hurts, like something just hit me really hard. I can also hear a string of angry words slowly growing in volume as my conscience comes back.. Demi seems really mad, and he’s holding his fist in pain. I hear a lot of laughter too- Everyone’s facing Demi and laughing.

But the invisible one is still watching me like a hawk. He hasn’t spoken a word to me or anyone else yet. I could hear his voice buzzing when I was still in the water, but the moment he seen me, the hawk became invisible.. Until now. “Ava and Shula could be in serious danger right now. Come on.” The Hawk demanded, his words stern and clear enough to make the whole group go dead silent. I initially thought Demi was the leader here, but the command he has doesn’t take anger or a rough demeanour. I can feel the unspoken respect. It’s almost.. intimidating.

…

This Hawk seems to be a suppressed memory. I can tell I know a lot about this person, nearly everything about him, and he’s incredibly important. Not only to my life going forward, but to shaping the person I am at this point. I can say for certain he will be involved in the next turning point.

…

A door squeaks open, a shambly hinged metal door, not like the mechanical ones in the sky. Panicked and angered voices ring inside, muffled. Everyone is rushing ahead of me. If I focus closely, I can hear something that occurred before they intervene.

A bungalow with a black exterior. Weathered from the flood, but generally intact. As for the inside, all of the water pipes were burst, and any sealed beverages had cracked open. Most of the liquid in the house had been frozen and was now slowly spilling all over as it thawed. The ceilings and walls were charred, and all the highly flammable materials in the house had been burned considerably. Traces of my power lingered on the scene. Two bodies sat at a dining table, one a cold hearted nymph, the other a burning heart eating itself alive with its own bitter rage.

The nymph stared down below the charcoal covered table, hands resting on her thighs. “Shula, before you start at me, I was busy. I couldn’t attend the funeral, I had deadlines to meet.” Her guilty words made her rage burn hotter. The burning heart mocked her voice with her fingers raised doing air quotes, “before you start at me I was busy. I had deadlines to meet.” As she- Shula finished she stared on at the nymph, Ava, I can’t tell if she wanted to kill her, or was just fed up. “Excuses!? That’s what you feed me right now!? DO YOU FEEL, ANYTHING!?” Shula shouted out, gripping the table as she leaned over it. All she got in response was Ava’s cold, apathetic glare, and her venomous retort. “Of course I do. Just not for you, or our parents. Why are we even talking about this? I told you last time we messaged each other, you know how I feel. I have my life, you have yours. I don’t care about yours, or theirs, I have my own to worry about.” Deadpan, unfeeling.

Shula went silent. I could feel the rage eating her alive, and smell the singed tips of her hair, it was awful. “Ava. Take that back, right fucking now.” Warned Shula. The silence between them grew for ten seconds, only to break with another unfeeling retort. “Or what. You’re gonna beat me senseless? You’ll just regret it later, and nothing will change between us. So can I go now?” Ava mumbled, lifting her head to finally look her sister in the eyes. Past this point I can’t see anything.. we’re back to the present. It seems like I didn’t zone out this time though!

“Balor, I’ll take the charge; I’m a good shot.” Demi whispered to the Hawk, walking past him with a firearm drawn. Long barrel, initials D.G carved into it. Some sort of semi-automatic handgun? The hawk- Balor, strides past me with his own handgun pointed at the ground, and Claive files right behind him, with the prey staying behind. I still haven’t learned her name. I can hear many men shouting, mocking, teasing, grunting further in the house, and the voices of Ava and Shula, Shula is fighting them. She has most of them on the ground, but one has a crowbar. A bullet crashes through his skull, stirring up his brain and turning his thoughts into a slurry. He disappears from my perception. Five more get the same treatment, except for one who got six shots fired into his chest before the headshot. That one was Balor’s doing, he must have been very angry.

“Hey- Owl, I’m talking to you. Are you ok? Do the gunshots scare you?” The prey asked me, her small hands resting on my shoulder plate. I didn’t notice at first. I hope I haven’t frightened her. “No, it’s alright. I was just watching them, I wanted to see what was going on in there.” I explained. She looked even more confused now, though. She’s about to speak but I’ve already started talking again, “By the way, what’s your name? I’ve been calling you the prey in my head, but following the pattern I don’t think that’s right.” I admit sheepishly, hanging my head down. Ah.. charcoal-encrusted wood flooring.

“Korami. My name is Korami Reyes. I’m part of the scourge, which is this bunch of people you just met.” She faced away from me for a moment, and peeked around the corner of the entrance hall. “Hey! You guys need me over there!?” She called out. “Yeah! Shula’s hurt bad, we need first aid!” Balor called out. Korami was gone from my sight now, but I could still see her. She knelt down next to Shula on the ground. A large wound was in her abdomen, from a knife, and she had several lesser knife wounds on her arms. I couldn’t understand what Korami was doing. She was using absorbent material, bandages, and tying them.. Usually when someone is hurt like that, you would use a recovery device. It seals up the wounds and removes any harmful bacteria- does she not have access to it,

She’s back in sight now. Shula is hanging onto Balor, using him as a support, and Ava hangs behind with a scowl cemented into her face. She wasn’t hurt though, so I do wonder what has her so sour. My head sure is spinning right now… Not even a second to stop and figure out where I am. No time to gain awareness. “Stitches and Stones. Seems like the safest place to go right now.” Korami replied, what she was asked I can’t remember. I zoned out again, didn’t I? Ah.. here it comes again. I’ve been zoning out a lot since I left the sky,

…

At this point, I can’t tell whether my awareness and level of conscience has dropped this low due to the lack of the drugs they usually had me on, or if it’s just my memory being spotty. It’s likely a mix of both, but there’s a gap in my memory until I got to.. Right. It was a doctor’s office. Stitches and Stones medical, based off the saying “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but your words will never hurt me.” We went there to get Shula proper treatment, that recovery device I mentioned. It’s a handheld machine that can enhance our natural healing process to the point lethal flesh wounds can be closed in a minute with little to no scarring. Only licensed doctors can own them, though.

…

As I come to, I’m leaning on the tinted glass just outside the doctor’s office. Staring across the road at another building, it has a sign overhead with a pair of scissors- barber shop, whatever that means. I can feel the warm rain landing in my hair, and the cool breeze blowing through it. The sun isn’t out anymore, and the thoughts seem to have quieted down. Finally.. I can get a picture.

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

Around me was a grungy street, cigarette butts and garbage swept under the curbs. People huddled in blankets in the alleys nearby, with burning rolls of plant matter and other compounds in their mouths. The smell made it over, it’s disgusting really. A short woman walks by me, she’s holding a phone in front of her face and scrolling through videos. Rolling machines pass by rapidly on the street in a organized network, following neat lines and moving at a consistent speed, roughly 60 kilometres per hour. The sun hadn’t set, but any light was blocked out by the maze of concrete towers enclosing the street. I look down at my feet and see they’re pointed a bit asymmetrical. I fix them, facing forward at the same angle. “Hahah.. So I’m really not in the sky anymore, am I?” I turned my head as I heard the door next to me open with a digital chime. “Oh, hey.”

Balor walked out with his hands pocketed and took a few seconds to stare at the barber shop I’d been glaring down for the past hour. The door closed behind him with a clack, and right on the mark he spoke up. “So what’s so interesting about that barber shop over there? You’ve been giving it the thousand-yard stare.” He asked me. I half shrugged in response. “Not sure. It’s just only set in for me that I’m here, in.. Where am I exactly?” I trail off.

“You’re in the city of Deca Machina, at a small clinic called Stitches and Stones. It’s in district 9.” Answered Balor.

I only heard Deca Machina. I’ve heard that name before- Brighton told me about it. It’s a land where every single person has what he calls brain-rot. Constantly in conflict with one another, fighting, despairing. It’s a breeding ground for malice and suffering.

“No- No, no I can’t be in Deca Machina. That can’t be right, that’s the one place I never w-want to be.” I stammered, knees locking together. “No, really you’ve got the wrong idea. As long as you stick with people like us,” Balor declared proudly, thumb to his chest with a closed fist, “You’ll be safe, no worries at all. Aside from this recent incident,”

“What incident?” I cut him off. “The sky falling. There was this weird fog that fell from the sky, and a bunch of people passed out for a hot minute. Weird time to go for a swim, don’t you think?” He teased. His words felt like a joke, but I could tell they were pointed at me. This guy, Balor, he knows something I don’t. His eyes, that slant in them, it’s mockery. “I didn’t go for a swim though.. that fog was probably some sort of drug being tested on the people down here. I know they do tests on Deca Machina to try to stabilize the population- with the suffering and all.” I stated defensively, puffing my chest out a bit as I stood with straight posture. He was taller than me.. slightly.

“Well not to sound rude here, but Ferrum’s drug tests are usually announced to the public by Pharmatech- and those are optional. That stuff is highly regulated y’know?” Balor rattled off, scratching the back of his head with a friendly grin. It was fake. I could feel something in him, forming.

“I don’t know how I got here, I swear. I don’t know anything about the sky falling, or the fog, or why I’m in the canal,”

“You’re breathing pretty fast there, kid. You alright? Let’s go inside. Gira will explain everything to you.” Balor assured calmly, taking my hand and bringing me into the clinic. My breathing didn’t slow down though. I’d been dragged right into hell without ever realizing it.. Life all goes down hill from here, doesn’t it?

“Who’s Gira..?” I ask. “Demi. Demi Gira.” He replied.

Balor pushed me a little, leading me to walk down the hall. I took the first door on the right. “Alright. It’s time we break the ice, we found this kid in a canal and he’s been in a daze ever since we met him. I checked on him outside, he’s come to now. So, Owl, tell us a bit about how you got here.” Balor gestured his slender yet dense arms out to me and backed away. This is called 'giving me the floor', I think.

“I think this is the wrong room, Demi isn’t in here.” I observe.

“Nah, you got the right roooom.” Shula slurred from her patient bed, she was on some sedatives. I could use some of those right now- wait, she’s smiling at me.

Seeing Shula’s excited grin and Ava’s unimpressed dismissive glare really riled something up in me, I wanted to give them something.. To flip that cold and bitter dynamic between them. Maybe something fresh is what they need. Not only that, but Balor is getting angry at me for some reason. I gotta find a way to ease that, it’s like he thinks I’m lying right to his face! Just what does he know that I don’t?

I calmed my nerves with a deep exhale, then took a short breath and started off “Well, at first I was in the sky’s testing chamber. They’d finished the trial runs of the system and were about to activate it. I lost consciousness during it though, and then woke up inside that canal you found me in. I didn’t come here on purpose.”

“Do you have an actual name?” Ava accused, “It’s not like 'The Owl' is any kind of real name, like come on.” I purse my lips up a bit as I process what she just said- I guess she has a point. Most people have a first and last name. “Oh, right. No I don’t, just my designation.” I reply with an awkward smile, “Is it a bother to call me that? Everyone else does, it should be fine right?”

Shula laughed and winced, “Man, didn’t even ask if I was okay. Rough huh?” She teased. I’m getting teased a lot.. Why? Do they hate me? “Ah, of course. Sorry. Are you feeling alright Shula?” I asked genuinely, glad she was giving me a second chance. “Ahah, you didn’t really have to ask, I was just joking.” She replied a bit awkward, “But yeah I’m good. That machine patched me up real quick.”

“Aha, humans are surprisingly durable I guess, aren’t they?” I remarked with a slight smile.

All three of them stared at me deadpan, jaws dropping slightly as if I just swore at a baby. “Ah um.. I was.. joking?”

“Ghe.. GhAhAHAHAHAHA!” Ava burst out laughing, covering her mouth a little and shutting her eyes as some small tears formed in them, “Oh my god, this guy is too good. Really,” she stammered before breaking into another fit of laughter. “Ah um, I didn’t mean to be funny. Nice!” I half smiled, mostly forced. It felt a bit awkward, like they were still a bit afraid of me. Room felt quiet.

Shula narrows her already droopy eyes in my direction. “Hey. Ava’s right you know, the Owl isn’t a name. You don’t look like a bird…” Shula snapped, shoving the topic of my name right back in my face. And here I thought I could escape it. It’s not my fault I don’t have a name, I wasn’t given one. What is this feeling? I feel tight in my chest, my face is scrunching up, my throat is tightening like I want to yell, “We gotta call you something, right?” She suggested, genuinely, without a hint of mockery. Her eyes softened too… like marshmallows.

I bit my bottom lip a little and faced away, the guilt for getting irritated with her hitting me all at once, even if I didn’t show it. “W-well. I’m open to suggestions.” I mumbled.

Open to suggestions? I lurched back, falling over into a chair and whacking my head off the wall behind me. It was like something just rewired inside my mind, I’ve never felt this before.. it’s terrifying and exciting at the same time?

“Tedd? Or how about Ted, or Tehd, or Tead, or Tedh-” Shula rattled off. “Shula, you’ve been saying the same shit over and over again. God, whatever’s in that medical device I want some…” Muttered Ava jealously. Ironically of course. I hope that was ironic. I really hope that was ironic.

As I came to again, hearing her say the same name over and over again.. I can tell she’s under the influence of sedatives, but some of my best ideas come when I’m sedated. So maybe this is a sign that Tedd is gonna be my new name. “Tedd. I like that, you can call me that.” I affirmed with a gentle smile, a huge contrast to the panicked scowl I’ve had on my face the past 4 minutes.

“Very well then sire! By the power invested in me, I dub thee Tedd the first!” Shula proclaimed in the most pompous British accent you’ve ever heard, throwing her hands in the air in grand celebration.

Something was very loud, it was coming from me. I haven’t.. Hehe.. I haven’t- HA.. I haven’t done this be- HAHA, bEFORE- "GHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! AHAHA- Augh- Auughh-- haaaHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! FUAh.. ahh.. hahh.. Ok I'm good.. HAHAHAHAHAHA! AhhAHHAA! Guahhh.. Fuuuck- AHAHAHAHAHA-" I laughed and cried hysterically, doubling over and half falling off the chair. Until I couldn't breathe, and then some more.

Shula glared daggers into me, and Ava looked down mockingly at her with two hands pressed firmly into her own mouth, almost like she’s trying to prevent- HAHAH, air from- “pff.. PFF- AHAHAHAHAHA!”

“HEY! Stop laughing at me, birdbrain!” Shula called out to me ripe with embarrassment. I could feel the heat radiating from her, literally. It was radioactive. The people in this room might suffer minor radiation burns later on-

“GYAHAAAAAAA!” I thought it was over, I was wrong! She nothing but pouted and stared at me, waiting in agony for my laughing fit to me over.

It was then the door flew open and the harsh stomping of Demi shook my body, “The fuck are you doing lying on the ground-“ He demanded, only to be interrupted by my violent, uncontrollable laughter. “By the power invested in mEEE, I dub you, Demi Gira the first!” I began rolling once more.

“Hey do I need to shoot him?” Demi asked real quick, eyeing Shula, Ava, then Balor-.. weird, Balor has been silent this entire time. I can’t tell if he’s here again.

But Demi never reached for his gun, actually I think I see a little smile growing on his face, how cute! He’s all crossing his arms now trying to act tough but I can tell he wants to crack up too. That and I think he’s been listening behind the door this whole time.

“Ha, Demi are you smirking right now?” Shula teased, deflecting the mockery away from herself with a snide grin. “Oh shut your yap,” Demi grumbled and turned away, taking a couple steps toward the door.

“Wait..” I began, and paused for a solid 10 seconds. Everyone went silent and Demi stopped in his tracks, slowly craning his head to look down at me again. “Demi laughed? He can do that?”

“HEY ASSHOLE. I’LL HURT YOU.” Demi shouted with exaggeration, but I know better than anyone he’s totally yelling to mask laughter. Ahhh.. aha. I’ve found a wonderful bunch of people, haven’t I? I have to wonder, what could a feeling like this be. I’m seeing the world in a different light too. Usually I just have a feeling of where people are going, what they’re saying.. Now I can actually see Shula’s lips moving into a grin, I can see the shift and slouch of Demi’s tall frame as he takes a step.. Is this what it’s like for other people when they talk about seeing? How amazing- I almost forgot to reply, I hope it hasn’t been 10 minutes again. “You’d hurt- TEDD THE FIRST!?” I jab back with the same pompous accent at Demi and hover back up to my feet. I think Ava and Shula just metaphorically shit themselves though, they haven’t seen me fly y-

“Hey, pretty neat how you got up there. How did you do it, some kinda electromagnetic field tech? I’ve seen agents who use those to hover before.” Balor interjected, I could hear his voice laced with venom. This is.. where my little spark of happiness ends, isn’t it?

“Is that his name? Has he like, gone even more crazy, or.. Oh. Ohh, I get the picture.” Demi smiled evilly, stepped between me and Shula with his hands tucked in those ripped hoodie pockets. The kind your phone always falls out of, thumbs out. “You named him huh? I see the queen had to pass on her throne on her deathbed- To Tedd the Firs-“ Demi started up, before getting cut off by her words like a hot knife through butter, “Say another word and I WILL hurt you, Demi!” Shula warned. He quickly took a knee, looking up at Shula with playful menace. “Your majesty, I shall hold Tedd’s coronation at sunrise!” Demi jested in the same noble snark.

“Demi!” Shula roared, the flames of hell rising as she stood up from the patient bed, shambling on her two monstrous legs, “I will rip out my own stitches, pour water on your bed so you can't sleep, then fill your entire apartment floor with pins so you can't sleep on the floor!”

“Oh it’s fine, I can’t sleep with your loud ass snoring either way so at least it’s a win-win now!” He shot right back, flashing his teeth at her. “Worry not my queen, the prince, Tedd the first, will take over during our war..” He concluded nobly.

I’d been so focused on their comedic routine I didn’t notice I’d laughed so hard I faded out of consciousness.. Well, that is a downside. I can’t hear them anymore. But I have to say, this is the most fun I’ve had throughout my whole life. Is this what real fun is like? I return to conscience either way.

I was woken up by Demi clearing his throat. Or do I call him Gira? “Hey, so you’ve got a proper name now, Tedd. It’s certainly better than loony, or psycho, or retard-“

“You mean what we’ve all been calling him this entire time..?” Balor interjected.

“Hey, ease off on him a little, he’s definitely coming off some crazy shit they had him on in there. Get yourself up, Tedd. I’ve decided I’m gonna keep you around.” Demi offered as he extended his hand down to me.

I rose my arm up, and he gripped the cage my hand was held in. Despite the barrier between our hands, I felt something new, something embracing. Friendship? Something similar, deeper, yet not as close. “Ah.. Wait, Gira. I was supposed to talk to you. Balor told me you would explain…”

Gira placed a hand in front of my face and I felt my words slip away with that one simple gesture. “Nah. Don’t worry about it. You’re a strange one, I’ll admit. I got no clue what’s going on in that fucked up head of yours, but you’re good in my books. So welcome to the scourge..” Began Gira as a grin slowly crept up across his face, “The worst of all delinquents in Deca Machina, a scourge to all the horrible things this city lives and breathes.” He said to my face, his mouth inches away from my ear. He rest a hand on my shoulder, skeletal yet muscular, he gripped me. “And now you’re one of us, and Ferrum is gonna be up your ass from now, until the day all of us die.”

“..Ferrum? Deca Machina..? Right.. they told me about Deca Machina, it’s…” I started to descend back into my pit. “It’s this city. The place I grew up, the place we all did. And Ferrum is the place that held you captive and probably fed you mountains of bullshit about this city I call home, so before you start telling me how shitty my home is, maybe take a look around first. Figure it out yourself.”

“… You know, Tedd. Demi doesn’t usually give someone that chance. Usually if you disrespect something he holds close, you’re on his shit list. I have to wonder, what makes you so special.” Balor observed with a twinge of envy. A twinge only I could pick up.

“I don’t really know. But I’ll give it a try. I know not everything Ferrum said is true. They didn’t tell me fun existed here, or friends, or the scourge, or any of you.” I said with joy, genuine joy. “Thank you for giving me this chance. All of you.” I slowly turned my head around, facing everyone, my smile only growing as I felt their gazes on me. Not one of judgement, analysis, just 'Hey, who even is this dude?'

…

Very well then. This interval of my life contained no turning point. You knew this though, I’d imagine. The next interval may hold… A potential for me to explore myself in a way that was taught for me never to even think of. A taboo of sorts.