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Word Count: 1628

~Kezziah

Extremely cautious hardly summoned up my demeanour, as I slip out of my room.

This could be a trap. Some way for Alden to pin something on me, that would eventually lead to my confession. And that I would lead to Alden seeing the mark on my back, which is currently the only thing I have against him. As long as he never sees it, I have time to escape. I'm unsure of what he will do with me once he has what he wants.

The corridor is empty, the time of morning unknown. It's earlier enough that Sermon isn't out harassing patients here. So I make my way quickly toward the elevator. Alden mentioned something about the top floor. With nowhere else to go, that will be my destination.

Who knows where Alden went. Not me. After my bath, he surely returned to his rooms, or left the facility completely.

Stepping into the elevator, I take one last glance down the corridor. This could be a big mistake, but I have little to lose at this point. And I'm curious. So I punch the button for the top level, and feel the contraption shudder and shake before it smoothly brings me up. I can't regret this, and I won't.

The elevator tings above my head, and the doors glide upon. I'm looking into a elegant foyer, white marble floors so incredibly sleek and shiny, I'm afraid to step out into the, even with my bare feet. This is most definitely the top floor, considering the clerestory windows floating above me. Despite the daunting atmosphere that reeks luxury and wealth, I wander into the foyer.

The feeling of committing something is so strong I almost turn back around and leave. However, I'm so curious to see why Alden invited me here. Or rather, implied that there are things up here that I would enjoy. I know it's him attempting to gain my trust, so I might as well make the most of it.

I find an adjoining corridor, which I trail down, trying to remember where I came from so I wouldn't get lost. The hallway is long and winding, leading to what I assume is the edge of this floor.

And I'm right about that.

Cautiously opening a door, I discover what is on the other side is beyond stunning. A large scale wall made of glass extends in front of me. On the other side of it, a view that steals the breath from my lungs. I never truly liked the Wisdom Pack, after everything Alden has put me through, and never went to any length to find anything about it. Looking at it, it's a beautiful place. Despite the fact that there is no free land in sight, I'm still amazed by it all.

Slender towers, of all heights, make up most of the space in this Pack. Everything is so new, so gleaming and modern. I see a residential area far at the other end of the Pack, but from here, all I see. And with the darkness still settled over the buildings, I can see glittering lights from each structure.

The sky is a sultry, mellow blue. It bleeds into the darkened sky, which is slowly letting up. The sun will be rising soon. So I settle on the floor, legs crossed, ready to enjoy it.

Perhaps this isn't what Alden wanted me to find, but I'm glad I did. I wouldn't utter a word to any of the girls in the cafeteria.

I'm not sure how long I sit there. At some point, my backside went numb, but I was too engrossed in the view. The sun - as it first peak - was concealed behind a building directly in front of me. So I concentrated on the subtle pinks and golden oranges that stole the darkness from the sky. I can't take my eyes off it, worried that every time I blink, I'll miss more of the spectacle.

Watching as the darkness dissolves, something crawls into my mind without my permission. The sky folds into itself, blending into a very familiar golden colour. Like the irises of a very important immortal.

And my mind falls into a broken memory.

The mist swirling around me almost seems to have seized my ankles, pinning me to the ground.

I want to run, I want to hide, I want to scream. Yet none of those things seem possible right now. My body has been consumed, each action belonging to someone else. What if this is a killer? Many criminals escape from the Southern end of the Pack, already to take revenge upon those who live in the wealier end of the Pack.

Despite these logical assumptions, something tells me whoever this is, isn't from this world. I feel it in the cold sweat gathering across my skin, with the chill that has me quivering and fright.

The figure takes smooth, confident steps toward me, hardly disturbing the mist. I beg them within my mind to let me be, to have mercy. Either I'm seized with fright, or whoever they are, they have a hold on me.

"I knew this rather mortal weather happenstance would lure someone like you out," the say, emerging into the light. "The perfect curious soul."

Their eyes immediately pin me. A smooth, golden colour melts together with what looks like silver, although it's only subtle. It's extremely unnerving - I've never seen anything like him before. He is beautiful, at face value. A smooth, youthful complexion, a slender, well built figure covered in dark clothing - trousers and a button up black shirt, sleeves rolled up, two buttons from the top left undone. He stares at me through a fringe of woody dark brown.

He's not normal. He's not like me, and I'm confident about that. So much so, it only makes me want to crumble and cry.

The way he stands in front of me, hands tucked neatly behind his back, I'm almost convinced he isn't about to hurt me in a physical way. Instead, I'm convinced he is about to mentally destroy me in a way I have no hope in saving myself from.

I find my voice from somewhere deep within me. "Who are you?"

He raises a dark eyebrow at me. "We might as well cut to the chase. My name is Time, and I want you."

The memory suddenly disperses, and I breath out a sigh of relief. It's just a memory. He's not here right now.

At some point, I began considering whether I should go back or not. Sermon will surely be rising, ready to wake everyone on my floor. I'm sure there's some kind of poison being filtered into my body today.

Struggling to my feet, legs stiff and back aching, I take one last glance at the view.

"Thanks Alden," I whisper.

He may be nowhere to be seen, and perhaps this wasn't what he wanted me to see, I'm simply glad I escaped the prison I've spent my days in for at least an hour. I may not trust him anymore, but I'm grateful. Very grateful.

***

~Alden

I had full confidence Kezziah would take this opportunity.

She's curious, I can already tell. I've noticed that a lot of the other patients here are utter opposites to subject #062. Perhaps it's the acceptance of what has happened to them, while Kezziah fought against it. Against me. Something that I could never have predicted.

Many of the patients seemed delinquent, in some way. Time targets the weak and the vulnerable, in one way or the other, to gain his own personal army. What he has done with them, varies. However, Kezziah isn't that way. She's not the kind of person to fall to his will, to willingly allow him to mark her. That's the only way he can do it. But convincing them.

He has a way with words. An understanding of how to lure females into his den of misfortune and lies.

I can't see that working on her.

I've never been perplexed by something so much. If I express this to Kezziah, she will surely pick out that vulnerability I have, and use it against me. I just need to gain her trust. Let her know she can trust me, that I'm trying to help her...Before Time comes back for her. Because I have a feeling he will.

He wants something from her. They have a history unexplained. Each night I lie, frustrated that Kezziah refuses to inform me. What is she hiding? What happened to her?

I stand behind her, watching her. She is staring deeply out the window, enjoying the sunset. I didn't expect her to come so far, but I'm pleased she seems to be content. She doesn't notice me. I'm not watching for long, I'm simply curious about where she had wandered. And how she was doing...

If only she knew the danger Time presents. Why she should be honest with me. But there's no convincing her.

I just have to wait. Let her make the first move.

💙••💙

Alden is available ahead of Wattpad at all times on Radish! If you're interested, head over to my Radish account @Midika (The name is set under Sophie, which is my first name)

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💎••💎

Strangely enough, as early as this book is on Wattpad, I'm putting up the epilogue to this book soon on Radish.

Time flies!

~Midika 💜🐼