Her World

Chapter Thirteen "My Reflection, His Mirror"

   Three weeks of going out and restarting my life, making a new normal. My first week was hard since I wore disguises the whole time, hoping nobody would recognize me. A few days of no problems until one day a gust of wind took my scarf away from my face and revealed me to a random person walking in my direction. He immediately recognized me, and explained that he felt the city was treated like a game to them, he simplified it to say "It reminded me of dogs fetching the hare." He saw the disarray the commander left the city in when he made those orders. It also showed him how little humanity thinks of it's own to easily be manipulated into doing the commander's bidding. Instead of using that day as a way to fight against them when their leader was distracted, humans saw a meaningless reward, that only one person, or group would be rewarded freedom, if they finished the commander's hunt. In the end, his soldiers, and him alone ended his hunt. That man told me that I shouldn't be afraid to show myself anymore, the soldiers and commander hasn't paid attention to the city since my death and the disappearance of my body. So after he said that I slowly discarded a piece of covering each day, and people day by day saw me and applauded my survival. I could hold no grudge against them, I didn't know them, they only did what they thought was a way to have a say in their own lives. So from then on we all just went on peacefully with what remains of our years on this planet. 

   We reminded each other that we live in a city of slaves, or pets. So they could show up randomly, which they haven't but we can't take that risk. I more so have to be cautious about where I am when, and if they ever show up. As to make hiding spots for me so I'm not running too far. 

   People recently began opening up buildings at night since there is no curfew anymore to socialize, and dance around. It almost reminds me of those old books of how a city night life is. So to get out of the book and experience it myself, me and the guys had started going to, to you know socialize. Getting to know the people who tried to kill me and Jason felt liberating somehow. That someone can do bad things but still be a good person. Well alcohol and dancing to old time music hit a very freaky note into the nights. So we're all taking full advantage of the Commanders neglect of the city, granted we still get shipments of supplies. So we're not completely ignored. I guess he is busy controlling the rest of the world with his new pet. Poor person.

   As I do often get lost in the past and think about him. Reflecting on how close we were, how attached I was, how vulnerable I was in his care. All of my pitiful attempts to prove that I can stand beside him, only for him to not see me that way. My bestfriend, my savior, the other half of my very soul. He showed me his true self, and I held onto that trust with my everything. I wanted him to trust me, to see me as an equal, like how I saw him, I didn't see him as a cold tyrant. I saw him as much more than myself. I cried all the time wondering what I did for him to see me as nothing, was I always nothing to him? I was desperate for answers back then, but slowly I've come to terms that I was nothing to him, he took me by his own hand and ended everything that made us what we were to each other, and he didn't think otherwise about it after. I cried at how stupid I was to believe they saw any human as someone important to them, I shed so many tears for him, a being who has no feelings for anyone. Emotional scars suck as much as these physical ones.

   After taking time lastnight to think about the past again, I got ready for a night out with the girls. We made up that every week end would be for the girls only, so David has to go hang out with his boyfriends, well you know, boys that are friends. Or the other way too, both sound equally fun! Considering David swings both ways, he said that he doesn't care who he sleeps with so long as they're not a cannibal, he made me laugh too hard at that. We made nice dresses for such occasions, and we also made a business under the table making dresses for everyone who wants to buy one. Nothing super fancy like what I've seen in books, but they look cute and would pass for dancing the night away in. I had always liked white dresses, so I made one for myself, cute, short, asymmetrical hem in the back, I guess like a tail. With spaghetti straps, I just love the way our ideas for dresses come to life in these beautiful materials. With these years just going on by, I am enjoying this second life of adulthood. 

   Sarah walks into my small room looking at my hair, "Braiding it to look like a halo huh, it's angelic, like your dress!"

   "Thanks Sarah, I am just going to let it out tonight, and I'm going to make myself some bangs, well kind of."

   Kana walks in looking stunning in her red, strapless dress, "What do you mean, kind of?"

    "Well they won't be short like most girls make them, but the length will be to my jaw line, see." I lightly pull my hair to the length I want it to my jaw, then cut it diagonally on each side. To try and give it some kind of layering.

   "Well then, it looks cute, pray you don't get the idea to cut all of your hair that short." Kana says as she peeks out of her hands covering her face. Then drops them.

   "Your hair is really long, should I search it for any grays?" Sarah says sarcastically with a coy smile.

   "No, I'm good." As I fan away her hands.

   "Hurry up and finish up already, I need some fun ASAP!" Kana says as she acts dramatic and walks out of my room. 

   "Okay, okay I'm finished! And please tell me you and your dance partner are going to be a little more quiet tonight?"

   "Can't guarantee anything Sky!" Sarah just shakes her head at Kana's remark.

   "Kana, nobody needs to hear you scream some guy's name, and him getting mad that it's not his name." I stop stunned at Sarah, but she starts laughing out loud.

   "Oh my god, I don't say anything about you and your partners lack of noises." I turn beet red at their argument.

   "Okay, let's cool down, and save our energy for the dance floor. Besides, both of your partners leave the next morning sighing with disappointment at what happened between them sheets, Ha!" I burst out, then take off downstairs as I hear them cursing various words at me while trying to run in their dresses. "That's why I made my dress with leg room." I instantly regretted what I said.

   "Yeah, for them long legs to go their opposite ways by the end of the night!" Sarah yells far behind me, and me with my face as red as a tomato finally reach the bottom of the stairs.

   I just laugh until I run out of breath, holding my chest as the girls join me getting mad that their make up was melting off. So we redo our faces and head out on our way to the dance hall. 

   To be honest, I haven't had anyone who was interested in me, not since Jason. I understood that it's because of my reputation since being in this city so I don't worry too much. I get dance partners, but they don't go beyond the dance floor. I enjoy my nights regardless of the outcome. 

   As we walk side by side, and Kana struttin' when guys walk by. The sun is gone, but little light out in the sky. I look up just viewing the little clouds going by trying to make shapes out of them. Smelling the evening air of a warm summer day, with no problems, no hurdles to climb over anymore. 

   The building is dark on the outside, with a little bit of people standing around visiting. To someone who isn't familiar with the area they wouldn't take this building as a social circle. I can barely hear the music through the walls, but as soon as the doors open the music blares, nearly blowing out my ear drums. Without hesitation we make our way to the crowded floor, having to make a chain with holding hands. Tonight I want to change how I go home from these things, to find a guy that is interested and just go for it. No more being shy girl. 

   After dancing with a man for an hour, not at all paying attention to who is watching. I just let loose and have fun with him, I don't know his name but I'm sure he's not too concerned about me not knowing it, nor am I. Not keeping track of what time it is, as the song ends I walk to the bar. I need to cool off and recharge, surprisingly that man follows me. So we get our drinks and stand against a wall to watch everyone else dance to the beat. He talks some but I can't hear him so I just nod, and giggle a little. I'm finding it hard to keep my attention on him, maybe I'm not used to entertaining someone. He tries to pull back to the dance floor but I just want to rest a bit more so I wave him to go ahead, he then lets go and waves back smiling. He dashing but I just don't have the energy anymore to pursue later activities. I let out a chuckle from that thought while looking at my shoes. Sipping my drink, and relaxing to the music and watching everyone's dance moves. Suddenly I hear faint screams on the other side of the floor where the main doors are, I stand up straight to see if I can see over anyone, but people began panicking on the floor, pushing each other, confused as I am. My first instinct is to get to the furthest corner to stay out of the way of the panicking crowd that is now out of control. Someone running by me yells, "Why are they here now, tonight of all the time during the days!?" So I grab her hand to ask her what's happening, "What"s going on?" She looks terrified with her eyes going every where at once, "People outside seen the Commander's ship landing on the outskirts of the city with other ships landing as well." She then jerks her hand away and runs to find who she came here with. I realized I can't see Sarah, or Kana anywhere, "Sarah, Kana, where are you!?" But I can't even hear myself among the crowd of scared people, so I make my way to the main doors with the flow of people. 

   Finally squeezing my way out, nearly getting trampled on in the process, I make my way out on to the street. Waiting to see if the girls come out so we can leave together. I look at my watch, and it's one in the morning. If what the girl said is true about the commander, then I can't stay here waiting. I need to go find somewhere to hide. 

   Following behind a large group going in the same direction I live so I'm not noticeable. Then I see ahead that there are two girls walking, but one is hanging onto the other with her arm over the others shoulder. I run ahead to see if that's the girls, and it is!

   "Sarah, Kana!" I sigh the biggest relief approaching them.

   "Oh thank goodness your safe Sky!" Both of them hug me, I squeeze them back. 

   "What happened to you Sarah?"

    "I fell while trying to find you in the crowd and someone stepped on my ankle." 

   "I told her you will catch up, so to keep her safe we left ahead." Kana said this with a sad tone but I don't care, as long as they're not hurt too badly. 

   "No worries, I'm just glad you both are safe from the madness."

   "Yeah, now lets get home before they see you!"

   I nod in agreement, and we walk down a dark street. After the large group I followed dispersed, it was just us three. It eerily felt like someone was watching us as we kept down that dark street. I kept my head down to not draw attention to us, but unfortunately our street was practically the most lit up street on this side of the city, I hated it. I hate it even more so now, As we turn the corner and walk a few feet we hear something loud drop in front of us, far down the street, but loud enough to clearly hear. 

   "I have a very bad feeling right now." Kana says as she is stopped frozen stiff, either to not make noise or from fear. I don't blame either reaction.

   "What should we do Kana, home is down there." Sarah sounds frightened so I get closer to her as I'm scared too.

   Bundled together and not knowing what to do, or where to go from here so we just stand there waiting for whatever made that sound to come forward. Faint marching sounds fill my ears, the girls hear them too so they pull me behind them. Then the Commander appears first from the darkness ahead, his large frame easily seen from this distance. His heavy struts resonate the buildings' walls, his soldiers march behind him, but someone is following close behind him, I think that is his pet. The girls back me up against the wall of the closest building we were near, and tell me to kneel down behind them so I do. We're thinking we just got caught when they're sweeping the streets. As his foot steps get closer, I get traumatic flashbacks hearing them. I neck feeling like it's getting tighter and it feels like it's harder to breathe. Please just let me disappear from this situation, I wasn't prepared in the least for this moment. I didn't even want any of my senses to experience his presence again. 

   Sarah, and Kana stand perfectly still, not making a noise. I hear his foot steps stop near us, and that's when I knew that someone leaked my being still here. These seconds feel like forever as the silence grows, the marching stopped. I want to cry, I see Sarah shaking like a leaf too. 

   "Move." The Commander said with a emotionless tone.

   "N-no!" Kana yelled back at him. I can't risk their lives for me, but the last time I brought up saving me, they said they would do it again and hear no argument from me. 

   "Move, or be forced." He says as he steps closer. I also hear some of his soldiers moving closer too.

   "We won't!" Sarah stands straight up, full of pride. 

   Then the soldiers grab them, removing them from in front of me. Revealing me as open as a book to the one I fear deeply. I stop crouching and stand up, but I refuse to lift my head to him. So I keep my head turned away from him, arms at my sides with my hands clenched into fists. I can't think, I can't muster any pride in my movements. I am stricken with fear. I hear him coming closer, and flashbacks of what he did to me the last time I saw him came flooding into my mind. I immediately ran away from him, all the while I can't bring myself to breathe normally, I just cancel out all of my senses and run to one of my nearest hiding spot. 

   "I won't be another one of your trophies!" I scream out, not caring if he heard me or not. I refuse to lose my second chance at life, I refuse to be his kill. As I'm on high alert, I keep my look out from the ground to the air above to make sure I lose them. Out of no where he drops down from above, landing with that same loud thud in front of me, stopping me in my tracks. I nearly slip because my sandals can't catch grip on the pavement. I try to turn the other way, but he grabs my arm and quickly turns me around. Is this the end of me now, has he come back to finish his failed attempt. Still filled with fear and not moving when I want to, I just stand there as he places his hand on my neck, I can't breathe, I feel like I'm going to pass out. He lightly places his hand on my neck, with his thumb lifting my head to look up at him. I can't look at him, I don't want to. 

   "Sky." He says softly, but I refuse to acknowledge him.

   "Open your eyes." I refuse, I shake my head while jerking myself away from his grasp. I refuse to go down scared. I back up a couple of feet away from him, still looking down at the ground. As I gained the distance I look up at him to show him that I won't go down like I did last time. I will put up the fight for my life now. I stare up at him with anger now, but he just stands there looking down at me. Then I see a small figure appear from behind him. 

   A young girl with blonde hair, and pale skin, with a thin frame. So the Commander chose another child as his pet. I felt more anger now, glaring at him and backing up to walk away from him. I am stopped with the young girl shouting, "Wait!" I stop, turn and look at her.

   "Sky, I heard a lot about you." I turn back around and begin walking away but she still manages to keep talking, "Sky, I wanted to tell you that it's nice to finally meet you, sister." With that I am dumb struck, stopped in my place, remembering Tally, my half sister. I turn back around as she walks towards me, she seems so confident in her stride. I wonder if I walked like that under his control.

   "Sky, you look more beautiful than words can describe." Tally says this but I don't feel any excitement or care in it.

   "Tally." She seems surprised that I know her name.

   "Why yes, you remembered?"

   "yeah, may I ask how you came to be under his control?"

   Tally looks back, then turns back to me with a smile, "Because he chose me, I reminded him of you so I accepted." Accepted? she had an option?

   "Reminded you of me?"

   "Yes, he said I was a mirror image of you."