When I get back to my office, I realized that I forgot to shut down the screen. So when I returned, I found myself staring at Cleo, curled up in the cold floor clutching a music player close to her chest. She shifted uncomfortably every now and then, the tears in her face long dried up.

I sat down in front of the screen and took a deep breath to prepare myself. “Cleo, wake up…” I watched as Cleo slowly opened her eyes, still clutching the music player in her hands. A gasp escaped her throat as she looked around her with a terrified look on her face.

“It wasn’t a dream...” Cleo sobbed quietly in despair. She turned off the music player in her hand and starts crying. “I thought I’m back home...” She took a bated breath and starts crying. “I thought I heard my mom’s piano...” She turned it on again just to hear the music again. “I thought this is all just a bad dream...”

I cursed a little at my own incompetence and helplessness. “Cleo, are you okay?” I asked. Then I realized what I just said. ‘Really? Are you okay? Does she looked okay to you?’ I thought to myself. “Sorry, I mean... Uh... Do you need anything?” I asked her.

Cleo shook her head and slowly sat up from her position. She looked at me for a moment and nodded. It’s obvious, she’s trying hard not to cry. “I’m okay... Let’s go...” She stood up from her position and took a deep breath to return her composure.

I decided not to commando her too much for today. She’s just a kid who has a lot in her minds and well... I don’t think I can force her to do anything after last night.

“So, don’t you feel cold?” I asked her.

Cleo shook her head. “No, my jacket keeps me warm...” She replied.

I took a closer look at the jacket and smiled. “Is it odd that everything you have is enchanted?” I asked her, trying to divert her attention away from the dark and gloomy past.

Cleo looked back at me questioningly. “What do you mean?” She asked.

“Well the Machete is enchanted, the music player plays something straight out of your memory, and that jacket keeps you warm in extreme cold.” I explained, impressed by her luck.

The little girl smiled and pressed a button on the music player. “Hey, try to play a smooth jazz.” I said, hoping that it’s enchanted to have all music in the world.

She pressed the button and a very familiar tune came out of the player. “Good choice Cleo.” I said in content.

“Thanks.” Cleo replied, enjoying the music.

With that, Cleo walked out of the storage room with a hundreds of cans and bottles of water in her jacket pocket. The fact that it all fits inside her pocket just proves my point about enchanted jacket. Cleo walked through the desolate city for an hour before she found herself a bit hungry. “Did you find anything else to eat?” She asked.

“Nope, good thing we packed tons of food with us.” I said, referring to the dreaded Can of Beans.

“I don’t like them...” she said as she took out a can out her pocket. She cut the upper part of the can cleanly with the Machete and sat down in the middle of the street.

“So, that jacket also protects you from heat then?” I asked her, looking at the scorching sun above her.

“Yeah, it is an enchanted jacket...” She replied.

I am not convinced however, something fishy is going on around here. “Check the battery on that music player.” I said, realizing that the music player has been playing music for hours now.

Cleo gladly put down the can and inspected the music player. “Is this where the battery is supposed to be?” She asked.

A look of disbelief crossed upon myself when I realized that there are no battery on that thing. “Okay, this is borderline creepy now...” I muttered, trying to figure out what kind of enchantment can do this.

‘It can’t be solar enchantment because we found it in a dark room, it can’t be wireless energy receiver because all wireless energy emitter is dead, unless...’ I looked back at Cleo who is having a staring contest with a can of beans.

“So, Cleo... You’re a human right?” I asked her.

She nodded back at me. “Yeah, but mom always says that I am special.” She replied.

Could it be that she's an anomaly? That might explains her limited reality warping capabilities and... Just what is going on here? She can make anything super enchanted, but is that really what's going on here? Last I check, a machete cannot cut through steel like butter.

Don't tell me... First Law Order?

"Cleo girl, I think you wield the First Law Order..."

“What?” Cleo asked.

I decided to answer her question just this once. “Well, as we all know, there is what we call the Rules of Physics and the Rules of Thaumaphysics or Magic. These are the rules that govern our world. Like the Three Laws of Motion and the Five Laws of Signature, almost everything in the world functions using these rules. This is what we all call the Second Law.”

At this point, Cleo is starting to zone out.

“The First Law is in which all objects in the world functions just as they are made to be. Say, a scissor; a scissor is used to cut objects. Well then it can cut anything because it’s made to do that. In reality however, it can’t cut through a steel cable because the Second Law prevents it.”

Cleo is currently making a tower using the canned beans.

“You however are different, you can use anything the way it meant to be used. If the machete supposed to cut through objects, it will cut through objects. If your pocket supposed to store items, it will store anything. If your jacket supposed to keep you comfortable, it will keep you comfortable. Do you understand now Cleo?”

The second I said her name, she accidentally knocked down the can tower she was building.

“Uh what? I mean yeah, I’m paying attention.” She stuttered as she put everything back into her pocket.

By the way, that’s the last time I’m gonna explain anything to her. “Never mind, just get up and let’s go.” I said, trying not to be annoyed by her.

“Okay... I didn’t pay attention, please forgive me.” She said guiltily. I would’ve bopped her head if I can reach out to her.

I twitched my finger and Cleo just nodded abruptly, startling her. “Hey, what was that for?” She whined.

“Me, bopping your head.” I replied in amusement.

“Well I did say I’m sorry...” She said.

“And you’re forgiven, now let’s go.” I replied.

----------------------------------------

Two hours later...

“Wait hold on!” Cleo nodded and stopped in her tracks. I looked around her and heard some voices coming from a broken down building nearby. “You hear that?” I asked her.

Cleo looked to her left and saw a barely standing building amidst the ruins. It seems to be regular suburban house before the apocalypse. Now it looks like a makeshift bunker with all the barbed wires replacing the bushes and a makeshift balcony filled with all kinds of weapons above it.

After a few minutes of hesitation, Cleo walked towards the building. Her small lithe figure makes it easy for her to pass through the sharp wires and spikes that littered the entrance. Soon, she made it right in front of the front door.

The front door is made out of reinforced wood and a string of enchantment carved in front of it. The carving is elegant and precise, but it lacks any sort of style so whoever enchanted the door is a skilled yet inexperienced mage.

Cleo raised her hand and knocked on the door a few times. “Uh Cleo, I don’t think you should...” the door burst open from the inside and I jerked back my arm to take control of the little girl.

Cleo quickly jumped back and walked away slowly. I let go of the control and took a deep breath. “Stay alert girl!” I shouted. However, Cleo stood petrified in shock as she stared at the door in front of her.

I checked the door, a man stood in front of the door with a rifle on his hand. He is a tall broad old man with a bulky figure. He has short dark grey hair, and brown skin. He wore a dark leather jacket and black cargo pants. He gazed at Cleo with his obsidian black eyes and a stone cold expression on his face. “What do you want?” He snarled at the child in front of him.

‘Is that how you talk to a little girl?’ I checked on Cleo and saw her shivering in fear.

My hands slowly turn into fist when the man starts aiming the rifle threateningly at Cleo. “I’m asking you, answer me brat!” He snarled harshly. ‘Click’ With a flick of his thumb, the old man turned off the safety switch of his rifle. Then he aimed the rifle right between the girl’s head.

‘Oh I’m preparing a special wing in hell just for you buttercup...’ I thought furiously. “Just tell him you’re lost and you’ll be on your way.” I said as softly as possible.

Cleo opened her mouth and struggled to form words. “I-I’m lo-lost pl-please d-don’t hurt me...” She muttered.

The man lowered his rifle and took a step forward. “The hell are you?” He asked harshly.

“I-I’m just a girl... Please don’t hurt me...” Cleo held her hands up and crouched down in fear. “I’m just going to go...”

‘BANG’

I sat there petrified when blood starts trickling down Cleo’s left feet. “AAH!! IT HURTS!!” The girl dropped to the ground and shouted in agony as blood came pouring out of her feet. “NO! No! Ple-please, ah...”

It took every fiber of my being to NOT make Cleo murder the monster in front of her. “Don't panic! I'm taking control, just close your eyes!" I exclaimed before taking full control of her body.

“It hurts...” she sobbed.

“Just bear with it..." I looked at the attacker aiming at her head. When he was moments away from pulling the trigger, I quickly flicked my hand in front of the screen. Cleo jerked to the left and crumpled down on to the ground.

‘BANG’ The bullet missed her head by a hair’s breadth.

“What’n tarnation is goin’ on here!?” A voice came from the door. A younger man walked out of the door. He has dark blue eyes, dark auburn hair, and light brown skin.

He looked around and noticed Cleo shivering in fear in front of the older man. He looked at her in shock and quickly rushed in towards her. “Holy shit...” He muttered. Then he looked back at the man who shot Cleo earlier. “Just what in the name of Order do ya think you’re doin’!!?? She’s just a kid!” He said, crouching down in front of her and helped her up.

The one holding the rifle turned around and walked into the house. “Fix it and get rid of it. We don’t need any more deadweight.” He said before closing the door behind him.

The one helping Cleo can only shook his head. “Look, I’m sorry about my brother he’s... he ain’t doin’ so well.” He said in guilt.

‘Apology not fucking accepted.’ I thought to myself. “Cleo, tell him that his brother is a homicidal fucker who doesn’t deserve the air he breathes in.” I said. However, I can see Cleo shook her head.

“I’m scared, can you please not bring me to him...” Cleo whispered in fear. "I'm sorry for the intrusion... I will be on my way..."

The man sighed and put a hand on her shoulder. “Don’ worry, I’ll make sure he won’t hurt you anymore.” He crouched down and gently picked Cleo up. He carried her bridal style towards the building. “Name’s Hal by the way. What’s yours?” He asked.

“My name’s Cleo, and the one’s speaking in my head is Aceward.”

I banged my head onto my desk when she said that. “What did I tell you about not telling anyone?” I exclaimed in disbelief.

She was about to apologize when the man chuckled in response. “Heheh, so you got an imaginary pal?” He asked her.

Cleo looked unsure for a moment but I decided that this is a perfect opportunity. “Yes, tell him I’m your imaginary friend that guides you in your journey.” I told her.

Cleo nodded at Hal. “Yeah, he’s my imaginary friend. He always tells me to eat and take care of myself.” She replied.

“That’s great! So, what’s he doing now?” Hal asked her kindly as he opened the door.

“Tell him I’m gonna kill his brother.” I said.

“He doesn’t like your brother...” Cleo said.

Hal just sighed guiltily. “Yeah, I know... Again, sorry about all that...” He apologized.

“It’s okay... You didn’t hurt me...” Cleo said giving him a soft smile.

The man smiled at her and slowly stroked her head. “So, what are ya?” He pulled down Cleo’s hoodie to see if she’s an elf. “Are you a human?” he asked her.

“Yeah, but my mom always said that I’m special.” Cleo replied.

“I always think we’re all special Cleo...” Hal chuckled as he carried Cleo into a dark living room.

For a house standing in the middle of a post-apocalyptic world, Hal’s home is in a good condition. There’s an old grey sofa sitting on one side of the room with a small cupboard standing beside it. There’s an old coffee table sitting in the middle of the room and a blatantly fake potted plant at the corner of the room.

The room is dark, illuminated by only candles hanging on every corner of the room. I almost missed the staircase in the other side of the room if it wasn’t for the light from outside.

Hal gently put Cleo on to the old sofa. He lifted her wounded foot up and carefully put it on a coffee table in front of it. “What do you think of my home?” Hal asked while checking on her legs.

“It’s dark in here...” Cleo said while staring at a painting of a tree hanging on a wall nearby.

“Well it ain’t easy to get proper lighting in a place like this.” Hal replied while gently cutting Cleo’s lower pants to check on her wound. “Darn it George, she’s just a kid...” He muttered. “Okay, now take a deep breath.” Hal warned, making Cleo whimper a little in fear.

She tried to struggle away, but I flicked a switch to paralyze her foot for a moment. “It’s okay girl, he’s just gonna remove the bullets from your feet.” I said comfortingly.

Cleo closed her eyes and cringed in pain. Hal took out a small device from his pocket and held it above Cleo’s feet. “Okay, not gonna lie. This ain’t gonna feel good.” Hal said, pushing a button on the device.

The little girl opened her mouth in a silent scream as a couple of bullets burst out of her feet and stuck on the super magnet. Cleo took a sharp breath and start breathing erratically in pain. “Nghh... It hurts...” She hissed in agony.

Hal picked up the bullets and sighed. “So girl, you wanna get bandaged?” He asked her.

I know she’s gonna hate me for it, but humans and bandage don’t mix. “You’re a human, you don’t need bandages.” I said.

Cleo looked unsure for a moment but she shook her head at Hal. “No, Ace... aww... t-told me that I don’t need bandages.” She muttered in pain.

Hal smiled and sat right beside her. “Well ya got a smart friend there Cleo. To a human, bandage will only leave a scar.” Then he walked towards the cupboard and opened it, revealing some medicines and other medical supplies. He took out a bottle of alcohol and cotton from the cupboard before closing it.

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Cleo watched the bottle in Hal’s hand warily. “Is that going to hurt?” She asked him in slight fear.

Hal sighed nodded a little. “Again, I ain’t gonna lie. This ain’t gonna feel good.” He crouched down in front of Cleo’s feet and opened the bottle. Then he poured in some alcohol on to the cotton before gently pressing it to her feet.

The girl drew a quick breath to hold herself from screaming in pain. “Okay, there we go! Good as new!” Hal exclaimed while putting away the cotton from her feet. “Well, at least in a few hours...” He added.

I checked on Cleo’s feet and saw that her human genes starts acting up. The wound on her feet gets visibly smaller as the second goes by, it won’t be long until her feet heal completely. “You okay girl?” I asked her comfortingly.

Cleo looked at me for a moment before nodding a little. “It still hurts... But, it will always be better in the end. That’s what my brother always told me.” She replied.

“Of course.” Hal piped in, thinking that Cleo was talking to him. “We humans are tougher than steel.” He said with a hint of smugness in his voice.

“But just as dense.” Cleo replied with a little smile on her face. Hal just rolled his eyes after hearing that. “You sound like my brother.” She commented.

Hal just raised an eyebrow in interest. “Well then yer’ brother better be cool then.” He leaned back to the sofa and crossed his arms in front of his chest. “He can’t be cooler than me though, just sayin’.” He added.

Cleo just giggled in response. “You sound just like him!” She exclaimed in excitement. “I bet you both like music.” She added while taking a music player out of her pocket.

Hal’s eyes perked up the second he saw the music player in Cleo’s hand. “Whoa where did you get that?” He said, looking at the music player in interest.

“I found it in a bus stop.” She replied while pressing a few buttons on it.

“Is it working?” Hal asked.

“Yeah...” Cleo pushed a button and a funky tune came from the music player. She looked at Hal and saw him nodding with the beat. “See? I told you, you both like music.” She said.

Hal just shrugged in response. “This is ‘The Benefit of Love’ by The Oiraga Ascended.” He replied casually. “Who doesn’t like this song?”

“My brother also likes this song...” Cleo said, reminiscing at the memory.

Hal smiled and embraced Cleo with one arm. “So, how did you survive all this long?” He asked her.

The girl thought about it for a second. “My mom hid me inside a cup...” “Life Vault.” I cut in. “a Life Vault.” She said.

Hal tilted his head in confusion before shaking his head. “Must be hard when you leave and saw everything...”

Cleo looked down and pouted. “It’s hard...” She replied. Then she looked back at Hal. “Do you know where Tyneglade is?” she asked him.

Hal looked back at her in pity. “So that’s where you’re trying to go... Sorry girl, but Tyneglade is very far away. It’ll take you years just to get there on foot. Not to mention the ocean all around the great belt is just plain death trap.” He explained.

“Then we need transportation.” I told her. Cleo nodded and looked around the room.

“Do you live here alone?” She asked, while looking at the staircase that led upstairs.

Hal shook his head and looked up at the ceiling. “No, a friend of mine live upstairs.” He said.

“Is your friend friendly?” Cleo asked.

Hal nodded and smiled at her. “Sure she is; do you want to see her?” He asked her.

Cleo looked at me uncertainly. Clearly, she’s still shaken by what Hal’s brother did to her. “Go ahead Cleo.” I said encouragingly.

Cleo nodded at Hal and she tried to get up. “Ow!” She yelped in pain.

Hal looked at her in concern. “Careful Cleo, you’re not fully healed yet.” He said, taking a closer look at her wound. “Here, take my hand. I’ll help you walk.” They both walked towards the staircase with Cleo holding on to Hal’s hand for support.

“Do you want me to carry you up?” Hal asked when they made it in front of the stairs.

Cleo tried to move her legs and found it barely functional. “I think I’m okay...” She replied before walking upstairs, cringing a little whenever she used her wounded left leg.

“You’re a tough little girl aren’t you?” Hal commented.

Cleo just shook her head. “Ace helped me a lot.” She replied.

‘Damn it girl, stop telling everyone about me!’ I thought, noticing the intrigued expression on Hal’s face. “So, this Ace person, does he know more than you do?” He asked her.

“Say no Cleo! I don’t know everything.” I said.

“No, he said he doesn’t know everything.” She replied.

‘You’re gonna be the death of me...’ I thought.

Hal looked a bit suspicious. “Cleo, do you trust Aceward?” He asked her.

Cleo nodded without hesitation. “Yeah! He took care of me and always there for me.” She replied.

I found myself smiling when she said that. “Well I guess you just have a very gifted imagination.” Hal said finally.

Soon, they made it to the top floor. A couple of doors could be seen on the right side of the room and a couple of sofa on the left side. The walls are cream white and a single light bulb hangs on the ceiling.

Hal led Cleo towards the door at the far side of the room. He opened the door, revealing a small tidy bedroom with a single bed in the corner, a study desk filled with a bunch of papers, and a shelf filled with all kinds of books.

A woman was lying down on the bed with a book in her hands. She has pale white skin, thin lithe figure, and long black hair. She also has a pair of unmistakable pointy ears and slightly squinty eyes. She looked at Cleo with her dull grey eyes in interest before looking at Hal in annoyance. “Knock first.” She deadpanned before rising up from the bed.

“Sorry Carly, just want you to meet my new friend.” Hal replied, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.

The elven woman straightened her grey dress and walked over to Cleo. She looked at her with a kind expression on her face. “Well aren’t you just lucky to be here? What’s your name little one?” She asked her.

“My name’s Cleo...” Cleo replied nervously.

Carly smiled at the little girl and slowly opened her hoodie to get a better look at her. “Thought you’re an elf, are you a human?” Carly asked.

Cleo nodded in response and watched as the elf sat down on her bed. “Come here Cleo, I have a feeling you have some story to tell.” She said, patting the bed beside her to invite Cleo to sit with her.

Cleo looked unsure for a moment, but I knew that Carly could be trusted. Plus, she’s quite a looker for someone living in an apocalyptic world. “Go ahead girl, you can trust her.” I told Cleo.

The little girl walked towards the woman and sat right next to her. “So, are you here all by yourself?” Carly asked.

Cleo shook her head. “No, Aceward is with me.” She replied.

Carly raised an eyebrow in interest. “Where is he now?” She asked.

Hearing that, I know that I’ll be screwed if Cleo answer that question. “Tell her I’m in your head!” I said, a bit forcefully. The manager will be so pissed if an elf managed to discover my existence.

Cleo jerked a little in surprise. “I-I don’t know... He said he’s inside my head.” She replied.

Carly’s eyes narrowed in confusion. “What?” She asked her.

“He’s her imaginary friend.” Hal said suddenly from the entrance.

Carly looked at Hal in annoyance. “What are you doing here? Girls only, shoo!” She waved her hand and an invisible force closed the door in front of Hal’s face.

“Whoa! You’re just like my mom. She can move things without touching it.” Cleo said in amazement.

Carly smiled and looked at her in the eyes. “Do you want me to teach you?” She teased her.

Cleo nodded in excitement. “Of course! I always want to make things fly!” She replied with a big smile on her face.

Carly patted Cleo’s head lovingly and took a closer look at her. “All right, but first I need to know.” The woman pointed at Cleo’s bleeding legs. “What happened to your legs? As a human, a small wound would’ve disappeared in a few minutes.” She asked in concern.

Cleo looked down sadly. “Hal’s brother shot me...” She muttered nervously.

Carly sighed in frustration when she heard that. She muttered a few profanities under her breath and looked at Cleo in regret. “I’m sorry about George, he wasn’t always like this before...” She said apologetically.

Cleo nodded understandingly. “Yeah, but I still don’t want to meet him...” She replied with a hint of fear in her voice.

“You won’t have to...” Carly replied.

A few minutes later, I decided to make Cleo ask a few question. “Hey Cle, ask her about the apocalypse.” I said.

“What’s an apocalypse?” Cleo asked the older woman.

Carly looked down in deep thought, trying to find a way to explain everything to her. “It’s... a time where the world is ill.” She replied after finding a correct sentence.

“Ill? Like a cold? Will the world be okay?” Cleo asked hopefully.

Carly smiled and brushed the little girl’s hair lovingly. “Of course sweetie, Mother Nature will heal everything.”

I nodded in agreement. If there’s any being powerful enough to fix everything; it would be Mother N. “Hey girl, ask her why she’s so nice to you.” I said, knowing full-well that Hospitality is a rarity in a Post Apocalypse World.

“Ace is wondering why you’re being nice to me.” Cleo said with a smile on her face. “Silly Ace, you’re nice because you’re a nice person right?”

Carly sighed and shook her head. “An apocalypse can turn a nice person into a bad one. It took more than just positive thinking and patience to get through everything.” She explained sadly.

Cleo looked at her in confusion. “But you’re nice...” She said innocently.

Carly nodded and looked at the wall in front of her. “We’re nice because of him... Hal’s brother... George Goodman.” She replied

“What? Why?” She asked in disbelief.

“Well Cleo, George is a very powerful psychic. It’ll took me a century of training to even hold a candle against him.” She explained. “I can't, shouldn't, tell you how we survived the apocalypse itself but..."

The woman looked away as if unable to meet the child's gaze.

"Living in this world isn't easy... Me and Hal argues a lot, the food and water supply gets smaller and smaller, and well... Soon, the apocalypse took a toll on our sanity.”

“What happened next?” Cleo asked in worry and curiosity.

“Well, it’s a bit hard to explain it to you. But George the all-powerful psychic literally took the burden for all of us. All of the suffering, negative emotions, despair, and every darkness inside of all of us; he took it and carried it with him.” Carly sighed in sadness. “George sacrificed his sanity for ours.”

Cleo nodded understandingly after hearing the story. A hefty amount of respect for the older man appeared in her heart. “I... I’m so sorry for not liking him.” She said in regret.

I also felt bad for cursing George’s life. He really is a hero in the end... But then again he shot my Cleo. “Nobody hurts my girl; No one!” I accidentally voiced aloud.

“Who’s your girl Ace?” Cleo asked suddenly.

“Uh...” I decided that there’s no harm in showing Cleo that I care about her. “You of course. Who else in this entire crapsack world deserve my attention?”

Carly watched Cleo talking with me in interest. “So, what’s Ace is like?” She asked her, trying to divert the conversation into something less bleak.

“He’s nice to me, he also knows a lot.” She explained.

Carly nodded but still a bit curious. “What does he think about George now?” She asked.

Of course I can’t really hate George for what he did, but the fact that he shot Cleo still tick me off. “Cleo, tell her that I will forgive him if he apologized to you... And make you a sandwich.” I explained.

Cleo looked back at Carly nervously. “Well he told me that he’ll forgive him if he apologized to me... And make me a sandwich.” She replied.

Carly smirked at Cleo accusingly. “Aww you’re just saying that because you’re hungry aren’t you. Look, you don’t have to use Ace as an excuse to ask for something. We’re nice people, we’ll help you.” She said teasingly.

I watched in amusement as Cleo start stuttering in embarrassment. “N-no! I-I mean... A-Ace said that, not me. I-I’m not hungry really...”

“Yeah right, come on, let’s get you something to eat.” Carly said, smiling at poor Cleo stuttering about how she’s not hungry at all.

“Sorry girl, didn’t think that one through!” I pointed out with no trace of regrets.

“You’re mean Ace!”

----------------------------------------

“I am not giving it anything.” George said, standing in front of Carly and Cleo with a huge frown in his face. His arms were folded in front of his chest and his rifle strapped on his waist just out of his hand’s reach.

“George, we might not have plenty, but she needs to eat...” Carly said carefully.

However, the old psychic glared back at her. “You better watch your next sentence weakling; I am not tolerating anymore deadweight in this household.”

‘Don’t kill the jerk, he’s a good guy.’ ‘Don’t kill the jerk, he’s a good guy.’ ‘Don’t kill the jerk, he’s a good guy.’ I repeated to myself over and over again.

“Carly, it’s okay. I’m not that hungry...” Cleo said, trying to avoid any conflict. George gazed at Cleo when she said that.

“And you better get out of here before you become another tumor for my family.” He whispered threateningly.

Cleo whimpered beneath his stare. She backed away from the room with both of her hands up. “Please, don’t shoot me again.” She begged in fear.

George unstrapped the rifle from his waist and pointed at the girl. “If that’s all it takes to get rid of you; then I will...”

Naw. Fuck it, he’s asking for it... “Cleo, I want you to take a can of bean out of your pocket and repeat everything I say.”

Cleo nodded and took out a can of bean from her pocket. Both George and Carly gasped in disbelief. “I have some food, you don’t have to shoot me...” she said, repeating my words.

“Now take another one.” I ordered.

She took another one so that both of her hands are holding a can. “If all you want is food, y-you can have it.” She said, trying not to stutter.

“Now put both of them on to the floor and take out a couple more.” She crouched down slowly and put both cans on to the floor.

She took two more can of beans out of her pocket and George started gritting his teeth in anger. The man aimed the rifle between the girl’s head. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t just kill you and took everything you have.” He threatened.

“Be-because you’re a good person and we both know that a life is more precious than a couple can of beans.” Cleo replied, trying to keep her voice from wavering. “Carly told me what happened to you, you’re a hero; you...”

‘BANG’

I watched helplessly as her body dropped on to the cold hard floor like a lifeless puppet. Her eyes blank as a sheet of paper. Blood trickles down the side of her face.

If it weren't for my centuries of experience, I would've just resigned on the spot, rebuilding protocol be damned. But I held on, cursing repeatedly as I double checked her vital signs. I just have to make sure, just gotta make sure.

"Alive..." I read the first word visible on her status screen. Then I looked back to the screen and saw Carly holding up her arm with a terrified expression on her face. “Stop! Please George don’t do this... This is not you, please... Just stop!”

George walked away from them without another words.

Carly dropped down to check on Cleo’s condition. “Oh god Cleo, please be okay...” She muttered when she saw blood trickling down from the little girl’s ear.

“Hal! Did you not hear the freaking gunshot? GET DOWN HERE YOU IDIOT!!!” Carly yelled from to the top floor.

A few seconds later, Hal came running from the stairs with a panicked expression on his face. “Oh god, is she okay? Damn it George...” He said in concern.

“She has an internal ear bleeding, George almost killed her.” Carly said, picking her up from the floor.

“It’s okay she’s a human. She can heal quick.” Hal replied tactlessly.

‘SMACK’ Carly slapped Hal across his face. “Your brother tried to kill her you idiot...” she said almost murderously.

“Sorry, let’s go...” he replied with a hint of fear in his voice.

They brought Cleo upstairs and into Carly’s room. Hal laid her down on to the bed while Carly checked on her condition. “Please be alright... I'm so, so sorry...” Carly muttered, with her glowing hand hovering just a few inches above Cleo’s face.

After ten agonizing minutes, Cleo blearily opened her eyes. She looked around in confusion before noticing Carly standing next to her and Hal standing near the door.

“Are you okay?” the woman asked.

“I’m okay... But my ear stings a little.” Cleo replied, rubbing her ear in pain.

Both Hal and Carly exhaled a breath of relief. Cleo sat up took out a bottle of water from her pocket. “I-I’m sorry for making George mad at me...” She muttered, before taking a sip of water. Hal sighed and walked into the room.

“Cleo, if anyone should apologize; it should be me. He’s my brother and he’s my responsibility.” He said with an apologetic look on his face.

“Hal is right Cleo, you did nothing wrong at all.” Carly looked at Cleo’s jacket pocket. “Although I’m still wondering, where did you get all that food?” She asked her.

Cleo seemed unsure for a moment, but she decided to answer her question. “Me and Ace found it inside a fault near a bus stop. I don’t like stealing, but Ace told me that it has to be done...” She said guiltily.

Hal nodded understandingly, but Carly seemed to be in a deep thought. “You said a vault near a bus stop...” The elven woman muttered.

“Yes... D-do you know the owner?” Cleo asked nervously. “I promise I will give it back to the owner...”

Carly shook her head and looked at Cleo with a very curious look on her face. “No, but last I checked, it was guarded with 5 inch thick steel.” Carly replied, looking at Cleo in interest.

I decided to interfere when I realized that Cleo is going to reveal her true nature. “Wait, girl, do you really trust them? I mean, you being a Class 9 Anomaly is not really a small thing.” I asked her.

Cleo looked at me with that innocent look on her face. “I don’t know, do you trust them Ace?” she asked, forgetting the fact that Carly and Hal are right beside her.

I sighed for a moment. “First of all, they can hear you. Second of all... Well, a little, but really it’s up to you. Do you trust them?”

Cleo took out her machete and I know that she has made her choice. Taking a deep breath, she prepared herself to reveal her secret. “I-I’m not sure how or why, but Ace told me that I have the power of the first world order.” She took out a can out of her pocket and gently cut off the upper part of it with her machete. “I can use this machete to cut anything and use my pocket to store anything.”

I studied Carly’s and Hal’s expression with critical eyes. If anyone of them dare to even think about using Cleo as if she’s some kind of a tool I will personally make sure he or she dies first. Cleo is not a tool or a weapon and no one can say otherwise.

Carly has a look of hope and awe shining in her eyes. She looked at Cleo as if she’s her last hope in this dying world and I trust this woman enough not to use Cleo for her own selfish reason. Hal however just looked at Cleo in confusion. Maybe he’s just not used in seeing an anomaly.

Hal held up his hands and looked at Cleo in disbelief. “Okay, so, you’re sayin’ that you can make anything you touch super enchanted? Anything you touch?” Cleo just nodded in response. Hal’s eyes widened and a huge grin slowly formed on his face. “Just a sec, I’m just gonna take something real quick...”

The young man turned around and walked out of the room before closing the door behind him. “And there he goes...” Carly muttered to herself. Then she looked at Cleo again and smiled at her. “So... If you actually have the power of first world order...” She stood up from her position and walked towards a shelf nearby. “Then I really hope you can use this.”

Cleo looked at a pair of glasses Carly just took out from the shelves. “A pair of glasses?” She asked her in confusion. The woman chuckled and sat down right next to her. “What’s wrong with my eyesight?” Cleo asked again.

“No Cleo, this isn’t just any glasses, this is my old enchanted reading glasses...” She gently put the glasses over Cleo’s eyes and took out a piece of paper from her bedside table. “It can help you read any writing in any known language.” She explained while holding the piece of paper in front of Cleo. “What does this say?”

I looked at the paper and realized that it’s written in Ancient Latin; the language of knowledge of Wisdom itself. The writing says ‘Metaphorical Wisdom’ which probably has something to do with seeing wisdom not just from one perspective. However, the words are still Latin from my point of view.

“Metaphorical Wisdom? What does it mean?” Cleo asked while reading the piece of paper in front of her.

Carly smiled after hearing that. “Take off the glasses, can you read it?”

Cleo gasped and took a closer look at the glasses in her hands. “Wow... So this can translate anything?” She asked her in awe.

“Well not really...” Carly replied. “This glasses works like using online translator back when the internet was still a thing. But since you’re the one wearing it, you can probably use it to read anything.” She explained. “Now, let’s see if you can translate...”

‘BAM’ The door slammed open suddenly, cutting Carly off. Cleo almost dropped the glasses in shock but I quickly made her hand freeze for moment. The two girls looked at the door and saw Hal standing behind it with a huge grin on his face. “HAHA!!! I FOUND IT!” He exclaimed like a mad man.

Carly gritted her teeth and made a swift motion with her hand. ‘Smack’ The door moved on its own and slammed Hal straight in the face. “Knock first! You obnoxious moron!” She said with a pissed off look on her face.

The door slowly opened again, revealing Hal rubbing his face in pain. “Ouch... Okay I’m sorry!” Then he held up a rectangular device for all to see. “But look what I got!” He waved the device around proudly. “A GPS!”

Carly raised her hand and the GPS slowly floated away from Hal’s grip. “Not bad... This’ll be very useful in the long run...” The GPS landed on Cleo’s hand. “Go ahead Cleo; see if you can use it.” Carly said encouragingly.

The little girl turned on the device and an image of a map appeared on the screen. A blue blinking dot could be seen in the middle of the screen. Hal grinned and walked closer to Cleo. “Okay, now zoom in...” The girl nodded and zoomed in the image, revealing a regular little map of a small town.

Carly moved closer to Cleo and looked at the screen. “If we wanted to go anywhere, we need to figure out how to get through here.” She pointed at the edges of the town. “There’s a pack of Dentra Hellhounds circling the city and they will tear us apart the second we walk out of the containment field.”

Hal smirked after hearing that. “News flash ladies! I’ve already thought about it.” He pressed a button at the side of the GPS. The screen flashes and the GPS show a bunch of interconnected lines. “The old Subway Tunnels! With this we can zip through the city if we can get the train moving.” Then he looked at Cleo. “Which I’m pretty sure we can with good ol’ Cleo here.”

I really liked that idea, if they can get a locomotive turning they can get through everything easily. “What do you think Cleo?” I asked her. “Are you up for a train ride?” She smiled at me before nodding in excitement, while Hal and Carly just looked at her in confusion.

Finally a good plan. With this, Cleo is one step closer to Tyneglade. Besides, it’s just an old abandoned subway in the middle of an apocalypse. What could possibly go wrong?