Chapter Theme Music: Soul Dreamer ~ Unusual Cosmic Process (Depths of Consciousness)
<11/01/149,566 {Avion 148} - 06:00 | Corral Position, Genosis, Altiri Sector Space>291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotGC3eIyqw
<Karnak to ACS414 Date Equivalent: 11/01/2010>
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2S8nLOquZv
Our psionic clock last biding time and strength, cycled in and out of every moment, every breath, and every new memory, until the day these dials stopped. Brimming with such incredible and unfamiliar sensation, the signal inside of him lit up like a supernova, leaking such strong energy for me to feel from new corners of my mind. Difficult to describe, this mixture of sensation was like an important promise of imminence, a warning that collective currents of fate would intertwine and invoke action at a particular time and place.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9u7WkgAhA
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxtglVLNpP
I was most certain why, having looked into these expectations long before; and for this reason, I had most of my sisters directly at my side, waiting with me by the window of our main room observation area. With the backdrop of an infinite cosmos, I took deeper, calmer breaths, trying to meditate my way into the psionic overflow coming from my friend to be. This timing, this sensation, this moment can only be the final phase of the purge, the signal I sent to Reed, so that I may enter the scape of his mind and earn a sacred place in his heart.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCqxk8fuJv
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzWzE2pSzy
No matter what I was telling myself, of all volley, of all anxiety and stress, of all excitement and hope, I needed to balance myself and focus, so that I may lock-on to that incredible psionic signature, Reed's psionic signature. If I'm feeling this now, then it will be minutes or less for the final result to be revealed.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51EJ6grrYC
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcswt2mpqr
Though I had to shut my eyes, my other senses were wide awake to the flow of this new space around me. It was like breathing into a world that exists between here and the other, my concentrated senses plugging into the psionic receptacles of my focus, the human I must come to know. Such a challenge warranted more time than just a few seconds, and far more energy expenditure than I would ever have given with another Altiri, though I pressed on, granted the required silence from my sisters so that I may concentrate, despite their growing anticipation and hope that I may succeed.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMpl7dz53H
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKa3klj4tN
At last, in what stole a strong gasp from my mouth, my eyes and ears opened once more, while the feeling of gentle descent ceased. Despite knowing I was on my own ship, everything from my forward view was suddenly blasted into this new world, a small space lit with yellow light from above, and a direct view angle that seemed to drift around the room on its own, disregarding any of my own input. The silence around me quickly became replaced by a gentle ambience of soft white noise, sourced from a nearby oscillating fan against the far end of the room.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aTeqmvNVa
Before I could say anything or react to how interesting this was, all I was sensing instantly shifted back to the interior of my spaceship, and my struggle to bring my back to him was met with fierce resistance, the requisite of continued concentration.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7PsCN6Wvp
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi30RtW1GVs
"Don't give up sister. You can do it!" Fully supportive of everything I was doing, Junko stood closest to me, watching my struggle with more sympathy than I've ever seen in her before, and I could feel similar enough mixture from my sisters right behind me, and some from the other ships.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oe8sMOYCD
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HnQ2rfpT1
I knew they were right, and I knew I had to trust myself, even now. This telepathic link isn't exactly stable enough for discussion just yet, and if I don't get the hang of it now, all of this will be for nothing. I can't let that happen! "Okay Reed. I know you can't hear me yet, but you must sense my presence, while I sense yours." Much easier said than done, I still gave it my all, trying what I've been already, while adding more of my psionic focus into this than I expected to. It was more than simple process. I forced myself to think of him more, of and about Reed, everything about Reed and all that he must feel, his likes, his tastes, his personalities, his interests; everything, and I combined this with my ultimate desire, to speak to him, to communicate with him, to connect every pathway of my heart with his, even if it took all I am. "This is all coming from the seventh phase of the purge, so I shall rely on it now. Purge phase seven, level one testing; this is my telepathic voice. Reed, you should be able to hear me right now, awake in your room..."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIerE4vwktm
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZGUCESlbU
There appeared to be no answer, and after several more seconds of waiting to hear nothing in return, I knew I was going to have to keep going at this. I can still blink his senses in with mine, so the connection must be there! This might be jarring for both of us, but you must hear me Reed. Feel my presence and my heart! Hear the voices you know to exist!291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03NVN611c4
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaA01MNukFG
"Phase seven, level two testing. I'll try this again. Can you hear me at all?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFbq8Rrj33
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8f6wno9oG
"What the—" A soft but deep voice escaped his breath, certain I was that it wasn't I or my sisters who suddenly spoke just now. That was him! I heard Reed just now! What did he say? Was he reacting to my voice, or to something else?291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HLmjFEHmi
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDFg6rVZbE
Unwilling to settle for uncertainties, I tried once more to link my senses with his properly, but I had to sit myself down on the floor first, shutting my eyes to block the distractions of the world around me, hoping my sisters lingering would not interfere. This time, my effort had a lower cost, and I was able to see through his eyes and hear through his ears again. The room was a bit dimmer and blurrier than I imagined it being, but I had to remind myself that this is human vision I'm using right now, not Altiri vision. The quietness of the space might simply be his less sensitive hearing, compared to my own. I could still tell Reed was looking around faster than normal, panning around the room, questioning the source of the earlier noise.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JtHLs4sgY
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNB6HSuyafe
Something wasn't right though. I could feel residual vibration in the air right in front of me, but the noise I was supposed to hear was nearly mute or muffled, proving that our connection was still not fully stabilized yet. I had to try once again, merging my senses with his own, to bring all that I feel and all that he feels together as one, until all I know overlaps towards the other side of current perspective.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBOSIqcx3R
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjDKsnvuu6
"Phase seven – level three testing. Is this link working? Can you hear me? Yes you! Can you hear me?" All I could do was be patient now, wondering if the panicked panning around the room Reed was doing was really in response to me or not. If I have to try this a thousand more times, I will. Suddenly, my hearing picked up, synchronizing to all that could be picked up in his space, of gentle rustling through sheets underneath, and of movement to look around the room some more, before he finally spoke.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPSgfL4OKE
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBQHBZZ6yL
"I can hear you, but I have no idea where you are."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lcfeO8fXx
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBhmYl8UvI
"Yes!" I jumped out in an excited shout."It worked!" My actions brought my own world back to me again, but this time in a way where part of Reed's view overlapped with my own with a strong level of transparency, something I could fix any time I wanted. Instead, I turned around to my sisters, already smiling with joy and relief that this purge was already a physical success! I had Junko, Sherika, Talor, and the others slapping my hands for high fives, while all of them rejoiced in whispers to avoid disturbing Reed too much at once. It didn't matter if I stuck to any protocol or not, because it finally worked!291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ny4091Clo
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyru33b9xJ
"What worked? Why can't I see you?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUVgXme4BX
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCiI3crf51
Okay, I sighed desperately to relax myself. The first telepathic link is now working perfectly. Even now with my eyes open, I can keep track of where Reed concentrates his field of view on, and still hear everything coming from him, now with minimal background effort. This mostly takes care of the first difficulty. The new focus should now be to get Reed to trust me. Before he can, I'll have to tell him the truth with utmost haste. "Don't bother looking around. I'm not where you think I am."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqF1i6Au3K
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcHe8Lm25J
"What is this...? What do you mean?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4bghM6s7T
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERfOW72X1u
I had to take an extra second to continue adjusting, for the longer I remained connected to him, the more this other world opened up to me through Reed. I was already beginning to feel something gently bumping the inside of my chest, a heartbeat I think, much faster than my own. "Don't worry Reed. Give me time, and I'll explain everything."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvKVPjFYPs
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4idIhdvxdt
Reed started to take some deep breaths of his own, when he slowly backed up to stand against the wall, panning upwards as if he was beginning to suspect a number of alternate conclusions. "How do you know my name? What is going on?!" His voice also became louder by the minute, more demanding in his need for answers.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHKm4SG9AY
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuksxXhSOK
"I'm not invisible Reed. Right now, we're using telepathy to speak to each other."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lI5YSfzxp
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2Dj8nkIaA
"Telepathy?!" his voice cracked with daunting surprise. I wanted to reply instantly and make this easy, but then I heard Reed's voice come on again, this time different than it was a moment ago. Such a thing isn't real, is it? No, why now? I must still be asleep.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXuyyMIzrZ
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ON7b4V1jW
Interesting, I thought. I could still hear him, but Reed wasn't speaking aloud with his mouth just now, nor was he invoking telepathic thought with the volume I was used to. His thoughts just now were almost quiet, unintentional maybe? Whatever the case, I had so much to remember at once, all of which regarded the properties of telepathy. If Reed thinks something out loud, even if little effort is put into it, I can still hear it, with less echo at the very least. I'm going to have to convince him that he isn't asleep, and that telepathy is a real power most people could have.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzO8UeG5EA
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0MwYl1jiV
"Tell me your name. What is your name?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtwTEkJEvQ
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIabYgdXElC
"Okay. You have the connection now Lumina. Just don't screw anything up. Take your time and be precise, or whatever it is you planned to do so long ago."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WJFsbxbpd
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRdMBTW0Uk
They don't need to remind me. I'm lucky that the voices of my sisters won't transfer over to Reed's telepathic senses, since in this case it would only confuse him much more. He would only be able to hear my sisters if they spoke verbally up into my ears. However, I had to snap my fingers right behind myself, instigating for all of them to stay a moment longer. I need them for something else. "I don't know what you will remember, but my name is Lumina. Right now, we are telepathically linked together just to communicate like this."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjmRUtSRSW
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8R52Rsdru
"Lu-mina...?" He broke up the syllables of my name, almost as if he found them familiar. I was hoping it would be too familiar to ever forget, but I don't actually have a way to know for certain how much about me he has learned from phase five in the purge. Just hearing him speak my name at all sent such voltage through me, something that felt amazing without any explanation to relate it to.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14S6c1lI4O
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YokjibaVd
"No!" His sudden volume had both of us jerk back a bit, though I had no idea what came over him.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ApZr9I0XY
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pMDLXqrft
"What's wrong?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcKo8AGQai
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NtsYb5cyZ
"No, no! No! No, no! This can't be happening!"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXP91QSEO9
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6uWPfFGQS
"Calm down, it's okay." Though this was too new to me, I knew already what conclusion Reed must have made, either one where he has gone too insane to trust himself, or one where he has realized what I am, terrified from the revelation.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcdgdTOJTu
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfIQRjwaqR
Reed wasn't listening to my soothing voice anymore. He instead chose to panic in place and in the silent comfort of his own mind, which I could now hear. It's finally happened. I've finally gone insane.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MDAvWwUS0
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bK0SETHCE
"Relax Reed! I can assure you that you are not crazy!"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKBhlXiimK
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXA9ed4j7wh
"Just leave me alone!" His threat made me tense so unexpectedly. I predicted this much might happen, but I had not prepared myself for how horrible it would be, to instantly be feared and rejected by his inviting personality so soon. "How can I not be crazy? I'm hallucinating out of my mind here."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEJnkajCIr
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrREZAE5E6
So he thinks he is hallucinating? There isn't much I can do to allow Reed to see me with such intense complexities as given by our natural occulism. All this means is that I need to prioritize getting him to believe I am real to him, myself and the other Altiri.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKbLpKOMB0
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡET9EpqiC86
"Reed? Are you up?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZNun4CPbj
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1b0CBptr3o
Oh crap! Reed panicked once more, sliding from the wall to the side of his bed in an attempt to appear a bit more natural, while I was left to guess what just happened.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwKM7F4vcf
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAxFlX6ddY
It wasn't difficult to understand. That muffled voice I just heard must have been Marrie's voice, Reed's mother, hearing his own voice, since for some reason, he has not tried speaking to me using the full power of telepathy. I only now understood why there was a lack of mental echo in his words.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9lozhrRw2
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDMd4Kk23G
Before I could say anything, Marrie opened the door to his room, right in the center front of his eyes, and I was forced to wait and listen as a passive observer. Even though I had less to worry about, everything just felt so real, so fast, so intense. Being connected to him like this is such a rush!291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OO17K1XNU
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKtAdLIAYs
"Who were you just talking to?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhr0bwcpTUy
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qCloPzjYs
So she did hear!291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAfOR1LOuY
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3GpYHC7g4
Nothing I could do about it now Reed. I didn't mean for my presence to awaken the rest of the house, though it was refreshing getting to see his mom up close and personal... Looks like I'm going to have to be careful here, careful and patient. My goal is to help Reed, not disturb the aspects of his life which he wants to protect. I've heard too many times what curse befalls purged humans when their families find out, always favoring the belief of insanity over alternate possibility.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcMLKkZUto
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDh8yWcLoBt
"Nothing mom. I'm just half-asleep is all." Please just ignore that so I can put this behind me!291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSOUBnemur
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3BrSnZgVA
For once, Reed and I were in perfect agreement, and Marrie seemed too mundane about the situation to dive further into it. "If you say so. It's already six, so it's time to start getting ready." Reed nodded his head, and his mother then shut the door on her way out, leaving behind a silence I wasn't sure should endure.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7y03D9UY6B
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhxJOaaMOe
Reed then turned around entirely, as if to face me directly while whispering, "Listen here you blob of fiction! I don't have the time for this. Be gone already!"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkJz3w5cV4
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULbt7IGfmc
I sighed again, wondering if I really had this under control. This is all happening a little too fast, and there are some confusing thoughts slamming around in that head of his. It's almost like he thinks faster than most people do. I can see this is going to need some work. "For the record, you don't have to talk to me out loud. You can speak to me simply by thinking out loud. It can help when you don't want others to hear us." If I'm to get anywhere, I first need to ensure us both that Reed can speak to me discretely, so that others nearby do not become aware of anything going on.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKnqZN5tlT
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZD94METH0q
With another aggressive whisper of desperation, the human made another demand of me. "Just shut up and go away!"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFMAHBbT2L
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSn1875vEMR
I made sure to uphold the promise I made to myself. Even if this takes all day, I am going to get Reed to understand that I really do exist, and that he needs to trust me... I kept quiet for now though, uncertain how to proceed exactly. Some of this is strange... One of the known effects of the purge is that the target always retains a somewhat positive attitude of The Unity. Sure, it might be a forced personality enforcement, one that doesn't go away for a few days at least, but I thought Reed would have held onto that. Instead, he's panicking and leaning into some powerful fear instead. I don't get it!291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkgG8ZlDoS
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejNqq1OtwY
"You mean like this?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PUR9uXcIy
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmejfZi9IC
Did he just speak with telepathy? I heard his voice echo a bit in each word, so that had to be it! "See? You already figured that much out." Great! If he can speak to me discretely, then that's one less obstacle to worry about.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29OeLIRBdV
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6PcucU6mz
It was still a lot to get used to at once even for me, finally capable of seeing every detail through his eyes, with no further interruptions or noise. I saw from the corner of his eyes, Reed folding his arms together with annoyance. "This doesn't change anything. You have to leave me alone. You are nothing but a figment of my imagination, a product of my dreams. You – are not real."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqGlyT1RJK
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWx5GAhVgJ
"Untrue. If only you knew the truth Reed." I wonder what kind of dreams he had about me during the seven phases of the purge. It could have been about anything, though I bet he is confusing me with a dream right now. "I am real, Reed. I'm right here in the flesh. I'm just too far out of reach to see you in person is all."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltmxn9FYBz
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVc58SJscwX
Oh, is that all? Give it a rest already. Even now was he not convinced, though I had yet to do anything to change that. It was hard to get a word in though, since Reed reacted faster to my presence."Listen to me. We met in a lucid dream. That was all! Nothing else came of that moment, and nothing ever will. Now leave!"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNETEdHoAoF
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0mQ8qNcl4
"Lucid dreams?" My confusion was well-founded. I knew how the purged operated, that it shows the person dreams of the sending node, but I never knew it invoked lucid dreams to make it happen... No, this has to be a rarity! "W—wait a sec! I didn't know you were having lucid dreams. I swear I know nothing about that!" Something isn't right here. It's true that Reed was supposed to absorb all knowledge of the Altiri including myself, but something tells me that process didn't go through entirely. It can't be!291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEPJEyTBd4
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDlF4u2KYW
"Now you're the one who lost me. Weren't you going on about all these crazy things hours ago? Why pretend you don't remember it now?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78oRpIS8XP
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHFDZVdOr8
His words gave me some clarity at least. As I thought, whatever version of me he met in a dream is the person he has me confused with now. Normally that would be less shocking to people, but not if it comes from a lucid dream. "Listen. I didn't know you had me confused with a dream version of myself, but that is all it was, just a dream. Whatever you saw in a dream is something I would not remember. The me that you met in that dream isn't the real me speaking to you now. I'm real. I know that I'm real. Nothing about me or my presence is a product of your imagination. I promise."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4X7Y4VmOb
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAd5bX0B6c
Unfortunately, Reed wasn't buying my explanation. "Right, and the fact that you are both named Lumina, and you somehow know my name without me telling you is supposed to just fall into place?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofmaTzKqZp
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9Am3RLYMf
With heavy defeat, I sighed once more, trying to reset all I felt so that I may convene with Reed on the most personal level, to ensure him I'm not lying. "Okay. I get that you are freaked out by all of this, but I can explain everything no matter how absurd it might seem. I can tell you who I really am and where I come from. I've been waiting for the moment for us to meet, so that I can tell you the truth about myself."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALnb2vKUOp
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGjYC4PVC6
"Oh, this outta be good."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zN4RSKqgu
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOCYkyF9bV
No more stalling, and no lies. I don't care what Hurma and the queen want me to do. If I convince Reed of anything, this has to be genuine from the start. "I should start from the beginning. My name is Lumina. I'm an Altiri from a distant star we call the Genosis galaxy. As for my role, I'm a warrior from a frozen planet we call Karnak."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQm9WKKw8n
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGgIFNc38n
"Alright, just stop already." His firm tone pushed me down with more fear, and I could sense his agitation growing. "This has to be the most absurd thing I've heard in all my life! I'm through trying to keep up with all of this, and I also happen to have school today, so—"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrboSHmIb4
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfsa9aRYcS
School! That's right! Reed has school today! "Oh! I want to see your school! I forgot that you would still be enrolled. Seventh grade right now, right?" I've never seen much of the world beyond the limited scope of clairvoyance, but having telepathic access through his eyes will let me learn so much more.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiacp8r2kG
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUX03jWS3F4
"That's not what I— Just leave me alone Lumina! Whatever you are doing, undo it and buzz off!"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElEeH1Q9C2
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHm6DH7iCF
I didn't even get to introduce my sisters to him yet, and already does he distrust me to an extreme. Why though? Why can't I get Reed to understand that this is really happening to him, that we're both really communicating with each other? It was almost all I could think about, the despair soon to crush me, but I recalled my own promises earlier, to the duties I have to myself and to what I owe my sisters. I won't give up that easily.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqO9RRZhyf
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfti1EpwNmg
For the first time since this very connection, I ceased using my telepathic projection to speak, and made my physical voice heard, certain and stern, so that Reed understands how important this is to me as well. "No! I don't want to." I don't know exactly what I'm saying anymore. All I know is that I won't give up. I don't want to lose this when I just got it.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlW63GTgVF9
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSY31P3YA3g
You don't want to? "Why the hell not?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOj8z8iCjl
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5nRPWX5Rt
"Because," I beckoned. "The experimental purge cycle finally completed. All of my effort finally came to this moment. I can't just forget about it and leave now!"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPxZpAdgg4
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zLTbGpleT
"Great," Reed replied in distress, holding his left eye and obscuring some of my view. "Not only am I a real loser, I'm hearing voices in my head that I can't shut down."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7bec578lz
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Cp2vA1Pfe
Why would he ever think that? Reed, you should never say something like that about yourself! "You are not a loser, not to me. Don't ever call yourself that again." He's worth so much more in value, whether he hears voices or not. "And I am as real a person as you, whether you accept it or not! Don't you understand that we're using telepathy right now? It isn't just a way to communicate. We can share each other's direct senses if we wanted to. But it's not all flowing as it should yet. The connection is still too young."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xxcAjoMo6
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIg6fiOg2HE
I wish I knew how my own words made him feel, but I wasn't lying about the incomplete link. Even limited telepathy should share our emotions and thoughts entirely, including physical sensation, but it's still too soon. I waited on Reed to reply for a long time, only to hear the tail-end of his inner thoughts normally hidden from me. But if she really thinks this will convince me, I pity that half of my brain. He still doesn't believe a word I say, nor will he if I can't talk him into it.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewPN0aEtnh
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCr7mt75UW
"You don't believe me? Fine." I need something a bit more intense than this. If I can prove we share our senses as well as our thoughts, it should be all the more real for him. Just talking isn't enough though. Before I could put any stock in my actions, I first had to fix this incomplete connection, which took several seconds of silence and concentration, doing all I could to boost this energy buzzing in my head. "Perhaps a demonstration is in order." With most assurance I had done it, I was already feeling tingly sensations all over my arms and legs, the subtle air and fabric of cloth brushing Reed's body.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sCkGRp651
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAbBkt2NUC
Before I allowed him to ask what I was up to, I sucked in all the air I could, bracing myself while trying to hold back in my strength for what would come next. Then, I brought my fist right to the lower end of my stomach, inflicting just enough pain to register for both of us, and Reed was already falling to the floor crouched in agony. The moment brought all of my sisters' attention to me too, who were quietly asking why the hell I would hurt myself like that, as they have no way to monitor our talks.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMZv4SfQk4
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJan4iMb9X
"Lumina! That hurt me you idiot! What did you do that for?!" If he could speak so easily after a blow to the stomach, it means I held back even more than I meant to, but better to do no damage than some damage. "It's all just imaginary in the end. So what if you can hurt me? This still changes nothing. I still can't even see you."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtogGPSlAjI
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdtMESGeZQ
How can he be so stubborn?! Uuuugh, this is so frustrating! "You sure do favor your skepticism... The connection should be strong enough now, considering what I just proved. You say that you don't believe me because you can't see through my eyes while I can see through yours huh? But that is something I can change. Just hold still for a sec."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUj3Y5hTX20
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFqZgDzzHl
Now what is she planning?291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPuI1uqSIK
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEkI5gCaV8
The only thing I plan to do is convince him I do exist. Having boosted the connection proves I can do even more. Reed can't seem to see through my eyes even though I can clearly see through his. I won 't be able to boost the connection strong enough to make dual-vision perfect, but it should be enough for him to see something about my world through my eyes, anything at all, no matter the transparency. Share in my vision Reed; see through my eyes and observe the world that reached out to you!291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvU9yABs8YN
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDZPSs8GKI
"What the hell? Am I..."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXS4dx8vxXd
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5YEorok6j
I could already sense it too. In my fixed concentration to allow Reed to see through my eyes, I started losing some visual of his sight in the process, but the sensation of our connection intensified in the process. I wasn't expecting the sudden rush that came after, as I was somehow able to see a faint reflection of what Reed was seeing with my eyes already open, which was most confusing, though I prevailed this ability. His reaction proves it was working.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4y2TwbDeKJ
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQv9MSnA6ny
"I know it looks like the inside of a space station control center, but it's really not that advanced. I'm in a room adjacent to the master cockpit. The space you are seeing is inside our space ship. And that's not all. All of my sisters are here too. You can meet Junko right now."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWRXuPvgXY
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnF7KkJMPJ
I didn't wait any longer. Though I was only meant to show Reed Junko, I turned to face all of my sisters I had instructed to wait, so that Reed would be able to visualize all of them, the ones in the main room anyway. It took a moment with the sensory shift going in and out, but based on some soft gasps I felt from his breath, I knew he finally saw us at last, including Junko, who I focused my view onto. "This is Junko, my co-pilot, and these are some, but not all of my sisters, all of us Altiri." My vocalization ensured my sisters were on the same page with me too, knowing why I wanted them to stay just long enough for this moment. Though with their role now complete, most of them began the journey to head back to their own ships, as I turned back around to the beautiful display in the observation section.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWuYO2l7MF
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3lhYnDc6L
"I've finally lost my mind." He sounded so fazed and unsure of himself, like he couldn't believe what he saw with his own eyes.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1ZxyyLKgM
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFNajIdFki
"No Reed. You finally found it, and I finally found you." Just saying that felt so magical. In this entire sea of stars, I found someone who I wanted to talk to, and I made it all happen through the choices I've set.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbkZI4Co5a
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4lPD4USEE
Unfortunately for me, Reed started packing his school supplies, ignoring my own sentiment instead. "I am so not doing this. Goodbye Lumina."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ21s9u2TAS
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdpAesPOZy
He then went on his morning ignoring me as if I were not there, though I had to keep myself quiet to rethink how this plan is supposed to work. He doesn't know how to disconnect the connection on his own, and I'm not going to tell him how to do it, but if it warms up today before he learns how to call me back, or before the day ends, all of this will be for nothing. As happy as I am now, I have not won just yet.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXalDiyUqg
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlKh3o4NNo
I waited for a while, until Reed brought himself outdoors in the night still waning, his curiosity holding his eyes to the twinkling stars above, amazed at the possibilities, but unwilling to accept the reality given to him. I had no choice but to join him in gazing through that sky, wondering what I should do next, my confidence melting at every second this drags on.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHGLqhYIdO
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCx7SNT6j0
It's even hard for me to believe this was really happening. If it were not for the confirmation of all other Altiri in my world, I too would wonder if this alien world was real or fake. I don't know how to get through to him though. All I want to do is be a friend to him, but how can I accomplish this if he has no faith in our existence? Reed, I thought all you wanted back then was the miracle I granted you already.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbGPJ5Uu4v
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdZzN3nGEP
Did she finally take the hint and leave me alone? Or is she still really here in silence?291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSwvBaU1c0
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ulnZY9ymW
"Would it bother you if you knew I still was here?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuK0SVl0wG8
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nSoIn4o67
"So you are still here! Honestly. Why won't you just stop what you are doing?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNE123OQVw
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9dmlW1q5H
Never before have I felt such true shame, to think it is really possible that Reed despises all of my existence. It's all too fast; he wants nothing to do with us, and he won't even give this a chance. I guess the rumor that the purges makes subjects more accepting of us was but a solid lie... "We are linked in the sixth sense of telepathy. If I were to shut it down now... Well..." I couldn't even finish that sentence, to consider the thought that I may never see him again. I could never bear it; I would never allow it, and yet I'm not the one with the controls anymore. Reed and I share this connection, so he must also consent to this by day's end.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJT1s6YjGh
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjp6N4JzGa
"Then what? This all stops for good? I said that is what I want, and yet you refuse to leave. Can you at least tell me what it is you are trying to do?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNugLnWsISS
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14c4y2ed8J
"I wanted us to meet each other just like we are now. I want us to be friends, not enemies, with someone as rare as you." Feel it Reed! Feel how much I care about you from the bottom of my heart! This very moment we are sharing now is exactly what I've wanted for a long time, and knowing that I helped make it happen has made me more complete than I've ever been before. We both deserve better than we've been served; all of us do.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7grhuzPVwa
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJ9sBpDe2f
"This is a bit much, even for me." Still unconvinced, Reed folded his arms on the sidewalk of the neighborhood street, addressing me directly. "Of course I knew all along this was because of something like friendship. But what makes me so rare anyway? Aren't you supposed to be the alien?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11chmGLmts
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZsuOFqhYL
I didn't quite understand his question, but I knew all I wanted to say, where it involves my reasons. "Look out there to the sky Reed. You've felt us calling out to you before; I know you have. You've always wondered what else could be out there, wondered if anybody in the world would ever try to understand you, to give real effort. As for us, you and I are the only ones who can telepathically communicate with each other. Before now, you didn't possess that ability, not until I purged you."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PqCUbPwsR
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtuxpudgQx
"Purged me? What does that even mean? Doesn't purge mean to—"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GyBLS4oPd
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMDFbPngDO
"No, it's not the same term you were thinking of." I know this much already, that the phrase purge is a specialty term for us Altiri, while the phrase also exists in the human English language, though with a very different definition. For us, it doesn't mean to destroy or remove, quite the opposite instead. "Purging is a totally different and complex process for us Altiri. It's a learned ability that allows us to transpart some of our powers onto other humans from any distance."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8PFCDozIp
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejyv46HIHl
Transpart? As in— "Hold up a second," Reed interrupted anxiously. "You transparted your powers onto me?" He sounds so different suddenly, as if he was willing to have a bit more faith in the idea than before. "If that's what you mean, I could probably fly around and shoot laser beams from my eyes?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3eAoHj4rs
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKQzBX2upo
Oh, so that's why. He must think that if he could use some provable, visible, tangible superpowers, that in itself would be enough evidence. Still, I had enough trouble holding back a mild laugh at his accusation. Laser beams from the eyes? Come on now! "How cute. You actually think I'm some green ugly thing from those horror films? You think I could turn into a bat and fly around like a super hero?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhM38CQ0kXU
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fzfapqL4J
"Uh, I've already seen you twice now, dumbass. And you can't mock me for not knowing anything about the Altiri in the first place. I know nothing about your supposed alien world."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyLsuXFTva
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuziULd5ugx
"But..." That's not possible! What does he mean he knows nothing about the Altiri? Phase five of the purge should have taken care of all of that! Is this the reason he's so skeptical? What information was left out from the purge, about me, about us, about The Unity and everything in our world? "You should know much more than the basics! Something must have gone wrong with the purge after all." For all I know, the summer he would have endured during the purge could have damaged the process in some way. We're all lucky the purge didn't outright fail and discard itself from the excessive heat alone.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReB4dsV6z3
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2X5HuVhigE
"What is this purge business you keep going on about?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5baSP02SaW
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsdhiUshGK
With a rough sigh, I took some time to collect my thoughts while sipping on my water bottle, entrusting Junko to handle the controls while I gently leaned in seat against the metal wall of the main room, wondering how long this was going to take.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6FTofB87w
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupbMgX2fpl
"The purge signal we sent to you is specifically designed to open up your psionic abilities. But it also has a secondary purpose of teaching you everything we already know about the Altiri, all through subconscious subversion protocols."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUWdRiVdAU
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRS2RdShCLi
Right... Is he pretending to believe me? "You lost me. I have no idea what you are saying right now." Guess I should have explained this better. I don't know how much he will understand though, given his age and all.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1AlvY04iq
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0U8YftgAna
But there must me some common link. There has to be knowledge he retained from the purge! Herios said herself that a purge completion would be impossible without this! "Come on Reed! You're telling me that in none of your dreams, nothing strange ever happened to you that you couldn't fully comprehend? You didn't have any of our shared memories about the Altiri? Or what about our history lessons, or the scenery of that world you must have seen and felt? What about my very own name?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zwSvLSP07
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81OWqe2peO
"What are you..."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdduTguFQe
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRMu1MEFNy
Failing to register his confusion, I pressed on faster, my desperation exploding, as this would only make everything twice as impossible as before. I could have simply told him that all he learned from the purge was real, that it wasn't mere fiction, but if he can't recall anything, then I'll have to start this all from scratch again! Don't you remember the woman who purged you Reed? Didn't you feel my heart calling out to you in the long months I've waited? "You may have felt off about many things from the very moment that you were purged, but all of it was real and happened to you."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiEj5smvUd
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhOrpnVeP9
For reasons I didn't catch onto, Reed held the side of his head after stopping his walk entirely, not to demonstrate pain, instead great confusion. "Lumina. When was this? When was this moment that you purged me exactly?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnI2W9b2UE
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLjOuloFwq
"We all pitched in and purged you on August 11, 2009." I would never forget that day, no matter how much time passed. We purged Reed on my own birthday, although such an additive was never intentional.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUdY1h1XpJ
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewqxvGSxw7
"That was a little over a year ago..."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsXhsbU1d7
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjChdEPaa7
"I can't be certain of this, but I think it would have been the day before you began middle school, or some time near that." I feared before that I was running out of time to prevent Reed from turning into a heathen, but I knew as well that the powers of a purge on his mind would distract him from those thoughts, halting a hellish transformation.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTY1B1qJfi
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rhTSZ4O5P
Instead of the reaction I expected after hearing Reed gasp to the revelation, I waited for silent seconds, being patient to let him realize what it all means for himself. I soon discovered that I should not have allowed him to try, because what came next was the most confusing and impossible spur of thoughts I've ever heard in any individual. It was if his mind was going rampant, out of control, with too many thoughts to process at once, with such unprecedented speeds I've seen in nobody else.
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn35N3SdF5Q
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixg1kJnIrU
I could only make out some of the sentences blasting away at his mind, the thoughts so quick they overlapped some of the noise of other thoughts, though I knew immediately how disruptive and negative they were. Did the revelation of his own purge scare him this badly, or was this something else? "Reed? Reed!" I didn't know if my shouting had awakened him, dragged him from his own chaotic mind, or slipped his consciousness somewhere else, but in a mere moment, the link between us surged and intensified, all because the mental energy within him became so alive and alert.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojf34bq2WB
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOZsdgNLRI
With senses as sharp as knives, Reed's eyes were wide open, and his mind truly awakened to the nexus of information around him. "All of that... All of that was your doing?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnVklPmwwM
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tCRbIfRi4
"Eh—" Only now could I feel the anger in his inflections, such hostility to the mere realization that I was responsible for this purge, that I was responsible for any and all of the strange things which occurred within Reed from the beginning of August 11th last year to now. "Yes. Yes it was." I may have caused some problems by giving him this purge, but it will all be worth it in the end.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnw2dTVUZm
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWCoASUTaX
"Tell me Lumina..." His own hesitation had me curious, but without delay, I could see him looking at his hands, shaking in front of him from the horrors I had no insight to, his heartbeat accelerating. "Lumina!"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglURUwezxo
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1a5pn3CoRw
I let out a sudden "Yeep!" after jumping slightly off my feet, the abrupt noise of his anger shaking me to no end.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUauQGmwhdl
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7T7Routqm
"What did you do to me? Which thoughts are supposed to be mine, huh? Which part of myself am I supposed to believe in after you messed with my head?!"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡst6KCySSzh
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6E696ijE6E
"Reed, please! What's done is already done." This can't be happening now! I've never seen him so angry before, and all for such reason. He knows the effects are temporary, right? "I didn't mean you any harm!"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDdp4LUpxz
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlBvG4XcEW
No matter what I tried to say, my voice lacked what confidence and passion Reed returned, though to feel such anger brought me to my knees. "Do you have any idea how socially awkward I've become, thanks to, thanks to your meddling? The reason I have no friends isn't because I messed up, it's because of you! You asshole!"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62WLCxMkCv
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifFHZXW8jg
"No!" No, it isn't because of me! It can't be my fault... No matter what I wanted to think though, my imagination already went to work constructing how the whole incident could have been mapped out. What if I made a mistake after all? What if my purging Reed in the first place, I've only doomed him further from what we both wanted?291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbuxe4E08P
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ837FoI3SdB
I could hear a new commotion in the background of Reed's area, some woman addressing him with a stern and confused outlook. "Who the hell are you yelling at?" She was only onto him since Reed and I both were not using our telepathic voices to speak to each other discretely, but I think the both of us were beyond caring about the minor detail anymore...291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhPBq29c2G
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXpB4LDtSd
Is this really true? Am I the one who caused him such damage and pain, by provoking improper growth with my own purge? I wanted to deny the blame until I was blue in the face, but the mere possibility that it could be true froze my mind and body in ways I've never been frozen before, leaving myself mute while Reed continued to the bus stop, sluggishly in deep thought.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21q3y0FNoH
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIdautTFKA
Who cares what she says? If all of this Altiri nonsense is just fake, part of my own imagination, then even something like a psychological purge should not exist either. So there is nothing to get worked up about. All of his thoughts were laid out for us both, publicly projected without intent, but I was too far gone to worry. Even knowing he was purged, he still doesn't believe in us. Still, if strange things were happening to me before, wouldn't that mean that I've slowly been going crazy from the start? What if I have a split personality disorder or something? I don't want to end up in a nuthouse!291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhbjNDZlLg
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTUE8s86Dg
This has all happened before, and I needed to remind myself how much care I should use before everything gets way out of control. It's bad enough Reed thinks this isn't reality anymore, but if he genuinely believes to be going insane, he might submit to therapeutic tests from... I can't let that happen, not again, after those girls died from their own madness.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3uUURXqHi
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9It196Yzjl
Speaking of which, it's been too quiet suddenly. Why isn't she saying anything? Did I manage to get rid of her?291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcQoYY8tNL
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7cUWA4m0p
I don't know how else to convince him though. Was it always to be this difficult for those who purge others? "Still here."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIbEYl2ivN
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzp82GsCO1y
"Naaaguhl!" Even though I've kept my focus on us so strong, I think I've finally run out of words to say. I don't know what to do anymore. How annoying that she could hear every last one of my thoughts! "Hey. Psst!" Lumina? Hey! Lumina!"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIK99r3IAc
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfgatQ3klp
Why is he trying to whisper to me in normal speak? Has Reed learned nothing of our current interactions? "I told you already, if you want to communicate with me without looking like a maniac, use your thoughts to do it!" Honestly, does this guy not take a hint? "Whether I project or not, the people around you cannot hear me."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gbtQPqKWq
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbqS9kEhq9
I wondered briefly if Reed was trying to get my attention for anything specific, but he soon enough soured his own mood again from my little lesson. "If that's how it is, then just purge everybody. Ruin their lives too why don't you?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuB1b7tzSy1
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJ6ZcZA6vo
Where does all that negativity come from? It isn't just about himself or others, but the whole world itself. He can hate the world all he wants, but I've come here to help him see something greater. "Quit being such a baby! Besides, I can only purge one human being. Once I've done so, I can never purge anybody else ever again." You Reed, are the only one I've truly wanted to purge, the only one I felt I could protect from the darkness this world spreads... What even is there to say anymore? I don't know what to do. Can I ask my sisters for help? No, they'll just suggest I use unsavory, deceptive tactics to trick him instead. I can't entrust something so important to them, not if it means lying to the one I care about.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1ey02zpqp
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgJAYSP5UE
"Bummer!" Reed returned sarcastically. "At least now I know why you won't leave me alone. Not that I care."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3PsbKuzq4
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSSTK1EzOu
"You don't seem to know anything about me. It's not like I was trying to mess up any part of your life. But what should I care anymore? If you're so distraught to even talk to me, then I guess you haven't been doing too badly."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8F7E60Qd6
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyyAR2bNHC
"What did you just say?" Sounds like I've already triggered his animosity onto me.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaUHE1cylx
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZv6ZaCQAC
I have no way out of this nightmare, but if I'm going down, if I'm going to fail in the most important thing I've ever done, I'm not going to leave these things unsaid. "You heard me well enough," I shot back. "You really think I didn't know? You've had trouble making friends from the very first grade, and after what I've seen in fifth, I thought my purge wouldn't have created any issues. But hey? You know yourself best, right?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiLqh9jboW
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAZZR7dA0K
With no idea why this conversation incites so much of his anger, all I could do was passively listen to his desperate chatter. "Riddle me this Einstein! How do you know anything about my past? If you are who you say you are, explain that!"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDiT7jmKfV
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zNu5dodl9
"With clairvoyance. We've been watching over you since you were a small child, you and a few others. I watched you grow up every winter, and seen some of the things you had to endure. They're tiny to most people, but they affect you deeply, that much I was able to tell just by watching."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6d2CVVBIf
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPyPpUnMxk
"That's just plain creepy no matter how you put it."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2bqHw7ioP
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaNyHRXyLz
"And here I thought you would have been happy with this; free from a world so crappy and boring." How long have I seen him rely on such strong insight, to crave intelligent interaction, only to be left stranded and dry? How many times have I seen Reed try to mingle with those around him, only to be slapped away at every chance; every day deepening those wounds, every moment suffocating what survived?! He cannot hide this much from me. I don't care if it was creepy or obsessive; I know the truth to this level.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwwBwONi1D
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneF5cn1Tpk
"Don't even go there, illusion! Even if you could explain away everything I went through during the purge, it was you who caused it all in the first place! My life might not be anywhere close to perfect, but at least I don't go around creating fabrications and imaginary friends to ease my pain, until now I guess. I can't handle this..."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAs53SbhFmb
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5szeyU5RF
"Reed..." Is this all he wants now? The idea of us talking matters less than the idea of our existence being proven beyond all doubt? Was Hurma and the others right all along? Did I seriously misread someone, me, the one who was always so amazing at seeing into the hearts of others at a mere glance? It could not be so, yet here Reed was, standing in the contrary before me, an alien who by all appearances was too friendly and open-hearted, hath already turned to soulless steel. Maybe I was right about his character, but too late to react. Maybe I was wrong about everything, and that Reed is not as special as I thought he was.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXLouMUqSt
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKbSUpOACS
"Oh, and I can hear the roaring engine of the bus now." Reed basically finished his walk to the bus stop area, carrying the distant view of the yellow bus in both our eyes, though I've never felt so defeated to hear anyone wish for an escape from my presence. "Looks like I'll see you again, never!"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJn8Yy3Vd0W
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCh22Qwma1
"Reed, please just—"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEOXUjR05Z
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCmJwqZAZf
"That's enough!" I whimpered from his wrath; too desperate to be aggressive, and too fearful to be malicious, yet equally powerful enough to rip a new hole into my heart. "I'm sick of it already! I've got school to catch and this is going nowhere! At least there, I'm not totally crazy!"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRo9kp85Vj
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuDr4AOW29
"You sure about that bruh?" One of the school kids was now chuckling with his heathen mates, all making Reed look ashamed. Meanwhile, having been dragged to the bottom of my own failure, there was only one thing I could do left, merely just a duty to the protocol I was supposed to follow in this process.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWT6IYxgyzR
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFA7hvbsrM
"Okay, look. I know what I said earlier, about not wanting to drop the connection. And I can tell that you want to, but you don't yet know how to."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OvBYSKtZB
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS73ITTtTDh
"This the part where you give me the key on shutting it off?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYv4KzMVhp
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0THmf8WMUy
"Please just hear me out." Every nerve in my body screamed at me for even going where I was, but I had no choice. Even if I fail, Reed should have the right to know that all of this is temporary if his chooses it to be. "By the end of the night, when you go to bed and try to sleep, the connection will automatically shut off. It will do so anytime you get tired enough to fall asleep, even if you were to fight it a bit. People can't project psionic energy in their sleep, so that would include telepathic connections too."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoFWjV3HM8
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkLxdoMhYT
"Sounds like a problem that solves itself... A full day huh? At least now I have a set deadline."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGxwEeChtx
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNioSfovIZF
"The thing is, the completion of the purge process has a final phase, this phase. It automatically initiates—" cutting myself off in correction, I continued with revision. "It forces the first connection to stabilize between us, but that automatic process is the only one time that will ever happen."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8hN7QhqXY
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nBkB1s7zC
"So?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYP46vtFjV
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAz5pj6nZA
It should be easy enough for him to understand. He wants a way out of this already. I can't give up just yet, so I won't kill the connection now, but I can't force this on him either. "After tonight, next morning rather, you won't hear my voice again, that is unless you put in the effort to reestablish the link. I can't just force my way into your head like that, not after the first day is over. You will have to call me and allow the connection to happen. It's a two way process that will become something only you can do. And that means, after today, you have the total choice of deciding whether or not you want to see me again." I didn't even try to hide my sadness, hoping instead he would absorb all I was feeling, and put it to through his own heart.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAfSW09OjF
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzysnMHcdue
"Okay," he agreed calmly. "Let's do that then. Once today is over, I won't have to deal with this anymore."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTNoLiDuUt
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooLjWhmeMP
"Please Reed!" I cried with all my strength, promising whatever it takes for him to reconsider! He can't choose to kick me out, not like this, not now! "At least take this one day to listen to all I have to say. I'll do everything in my power to prove to you that I do exist! And if you still don't like this, it really will be over forever."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzNuW1gIwb
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6db1LxiH2
For a moment too long for me to breathe, we both held our air, all for Reed to consider the conviction in my words. "I dont know..."291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEeNxuUsta
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLbM0Cejkr
"Please! What do you have to lose? I really just want you to consider this!" I can tell him about anything, any part of my world, answer any question he might ever have about us! Maybe all he needs is to hear more about us in order to understand why we care about him, at least why I care.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitWoxUP9FK
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFP1mFHuxc
"... Why though?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSz71XGSAE
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfU9N2gGUwa
Doing my best to hide the tears already dripping from my eyes, I did my best to answer. "Because... Because I really do want to be friends with you. Me and my sisters are all on your side." My choice words came directly from my heart; I didn't need to consider them in any kind of thought.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCCFuhzW1V
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ztCx2VSQT
"Oh really? A small band of space aliens wants to buddy up with me that badly?"291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHsLaRgINP
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuHIbD3DoJ
"You know that I do! You know how I already feel about this. You're one of the only friends I want. I'm that sure of it! I could have chosen any other human to purge, but I only wanted to pick you. You've been trying to make friends for a long time, and you still have every right to keep trying... But please let me try too Reed. I want the two of us to be friends as well. I promise that was the reason why I purged you, why I still think it was worth some of the trouble, though I am sorry about what that purge did to you... Please..." What else could I say? I've never laid my entire heart out like this to anyone before, and I'm willing to bet Reed never had anyone do this for him either.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCKZgzWxtm
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjeSxoThdS
He kept quiet, his mind finally calm compared to how it was before, back in deep consideration for what I was giving him. However, it wasn't long before that large yellow truck showed up, disrupting our attention, but not enough for me to lose hope. "Don't you want to know why? Don't you want to learn what I really see in you?" I stood back up from being on the floor, declaring absolution to us both, to our connection, to our day, and to our merged reality, and somewhere inside of him, I just knew that the gears in his thoughts and emotions were turning, to consider everything all over again.291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRVXwlSXSD
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLDfBxbkFW
Even if he tells me to clear off, I won't leave him. Even if he becomes annoyed by my presence, I won't give up on him. I have to make the most of this entire day, no matter what it takes, to help Reed. Should he not understand that which makes him so special, that which I've grown to love so much?
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvSYSuGfRZ
291Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4mzvK15uK
