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ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴠɪ

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Silence.

Pure silence.

Besides the heart-rate monitor from my cold hospital room and my short breaths, it was purely silent.

Why aren't I dead?

It'd be better that way, I think.

The only chance I get to die...

and I survive.

Ugh...

I slowly open my eyes to see a nurse examining the monitor beside my bed while jotting things down on her clipboard.

Her eyes widen and she runs out of the room, yelling for a doctor.

"Doctor! Doctor!"

I turn my gaze towards the bleak hospital room window to see a pale, cloudy sky and raindrops gently hitting the glass.

So it's still raining, huh?

Fast footsteps approach my room until I see my nurse accompanied by a doctor and a man clad in brown enter my room.

"How are you feeling?" The doctor asks softly but quickly.

My eyes suddenly widen from recalling the events from last night and I jerk upright, placing my hand on my doctors shoulder in desperation.

"Serena! Where is she?! Is she alright?"

"She's fine, thanks to you. She's currently resting at the royal palace at the request of her mother." The doctor says, adjusting his glasses.

"...I see,"

I sigh and rest my head back in relief.

I'm glad...

I wonder how she's doing...

Wait...

Why am I thinking about about her?

The man in brown steps forward and introduces himself to me.

"I'm Detective Agent Looker from the International Police. I'm terribly sorry about the events that unfolded yesterday... We are still trying to figure out what happened and how the criminals managed to get past university security. You were the one who stopped them, am I correct?"

I nod.

Then I remembered.

Gary.

I have to go see him later to sort some things out.

"We'd like to have you answer some questions once you are able again. Make sure to stop by the security office once you're discharged, alright?"

I nod.

"Okay,"

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I was discharged a few hours later by the hospital staff.

As I approached the front entrance of the hospital, I spot two motor bikers speeding towards me in a hassle.

One of them pulls out a dark, foreign object in their right hand and slowly points it towards me.

Before they could get to me though, a hummer drives up to the curb, braking hard with the front passenger door kicking open.

A familiar but urgent voice calls me inside.

"Ash get inside, quick!"

I instinctively jump in, shutting the door behind me.

The driver steps on the gas and we speed away from the hospital just in time before the bikers could reach us.

I look around the humvee to see two people dressed in what seemed like military gear with helmets, completely obscuring their identities.

"Um... Who are you?" I ask, very confused.

The one sitting in the back seat spoke up with a loud, commanding voice.

"I'm sorry, but this isn't a time for questions. You're in very great danger. Right now, your safety is our top priority," she says, turning to look in the rear window.

Wow...

When did I suddenly get so important to attract the attention of the military?

The driver turns his hand towards me for a moment before looking back towards the road.

"Don't worry, Ash. You're in good hands," He says in a very familiar, cheerful tone of voice.

I was about to ask before the soldier in the back seat speaks up again.

"Harrison, we're being tailed. Punch the gas!"

In a flash, the car speeds up even faster with the engine getting louder.

"Where's the rescue team?" The driver asks quickly.

"I've contacted HQ, but they've got their hands full with other issues. Local police are on their way," She says, looking back once again.

A loud pop suddenly radiates from the rear window, and I turn around to see a cobweb of cracked glass covering the window.

Oh my-

"Quick, put your head down Ketchum! Harrison, get us out of here, now!!" She yells pushing my head down to shield me.

"Roger that," He says, taking a sharp turn left.

Before I knew it, local police had surrounded the bikers and we were speeding down the streets, with the police escorting us for extra protection.

I still have no clue what is going on...

"Uh... Where are you taking me?" I ask, genuinely confused.

"...To the royal palace, of course." The driver says, chuckling.

That must've been a dumb question for him to laugh at me like that, right?

Typical.

Heh.

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The ride to the palace remained mostly silent until we arrived.

As we exited the car, I was shocked at how the palace could have such a tense atmosphere.

Guards and armored vehicles were now stationed at every entrance, and armed security was constantly patrolling the perimeter of the palace.

Before they were here, the palace seemed so calm and peaceful.

Now the sight of it puts anyone on edge.

"Follow me inside, Ash." The driver said, and I turned around to see the familiar face of no one other than Brock, my limo driver when I went to the airport back home.

"...Brock?"

He grins.

"That's me! I'm surprised you didn't forget, haha." He said, laughing as he took off his heavy gear and placed them inside the hummer.

Woah. Since when did he become so... informal?

Is that what they call it?

"Alright, let's go inside, shall we?"

I nod silently and follow him inside.

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We had to pass through multiple security checkpoints and have our fingerprints scanned before even getting inside the main chamber of the palace.

Did I mention I hate security checkpoints?

Every time I get near one, I'm hit with a wave of anxiety.

I complain too much...

I'm a horrible human being aren't I?

Brock was called by his captain back to the front gate, so he waved me a farewell and went on his way.

I sigh.

I'm finally alone for once.

As I finally enter the main living room of the palace, I spot a certain princess sitting on a couch, eating what seemed to be a cupcake in her hands.

Well, that was a short-lived moment of getting to be alone.

As I call her name, she turns around to reveal her widened cerulean eyes and worried expression.

She slowly drops her half-eaten cupcake on the ground, and runs into me, wrapping her arms around my back in a tight hug.

"A-Ash... y-you're actually... a-alive..?" She says between choked sobs, leaning her head back to look up at my face.

I give her a fake laugh.

"Of course I am, why wouldn't I be?" I say, winking.

I would prefer death, actually.

Buuut I'm not gonna force my problems on someone else.

That'd be a horrible thing to do.

But what am I saying, I AM a horrible person.

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ᴇɴᴅ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴠɪ

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Author's Note

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It's nice to be back writing without writer's block ruining all my ideas, lol xD
New chapter will be up soon xP

And as always, I hoped you enjoyed it c;

- Squash

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