OK, I know that this was a huge timeskip but trust me I know what I'm doing.

Plus, I'm eating M&Ms and stressing out about the math test I probably just failed and writing is my stress reliever, so.

ALSO over 200 reads already??? Y'all are the best!

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Day 28

25 had finally finished her training and will be given a name.

Kris and I went to wake her up, but she was pacing around her room.

Her hair was a curly, frizzy mess. She was clawing at it and tugging.

"Nervous much?" Kris says.

25 shot him a look and then nods. "I do not know why. I mean, how bad could my name be, right?"

"We were all nervous, 25," I reassured her. "But a name is a great gift. You should be happy you will be getting one."

"But 1 will..." Her voice trailed off.

"It is necessary, 25. It is a tradition." Kris replies.

She nods. "I know. It will eventually fade away, right?"

Kris nods. "Mine has."

"Mine is still partially there." I added.

25 purses her lips. "What if I do not like my new name?" She whispers.

"You can use a nickname like I did." I suggested.

25 nods. "I suppose,"

"You will be okay, 25. You have nothing to worry about." Kris says.

"I will get ready."

Kris and I wait outside her room.

"What do you think her name will be?" Kris asks me.

I shrug. "There is no telling what 1 came up with. He seems to have some pretty normal names. I just hope 25 likes it."

Kris nods. "I agree."

The door opens and 25 walks out of her room, dressed in a flowy white tunic. Her hair was brushed and free of tangles, bouncing slightly as she walked. Her feet were bare.

"I am ready." She says, though her voice was unsure.

I try to give her a bright, reassuring smile but it faded as I realized how nervous she was.

She locks arms with Kris and I. Not a second ago she was nervous and uncertain, now she's the one leading us to the common hall.

I could hear the Reflections' chatter as we neared our destination. They quickly hushed as we entered.

The room was silent the whole walk up. 25 lets go of our arms and walks up to 1 gracefully.

Kris and I stand at attention with the others.

"My Reflections," 1's thunderous voice booms across the confined space. "My children...we are here to witness the naming of our youngest Reflection, number 25!"

We applaud, and stop when 1 raises his hand.

"Our little world is one of tradition and order. You were given a number the second you came into existence. But now, 25, you have proven yourself worthy to receive a name."

25 smiles a little, her uncertainty showing slightly.

Silence fell upon the room as 1 unsheathed the Naming Blade. It shone in the light of the lanterns, the flickering flames reflecting on the cold steel.

25 pales.

I felt what was left of my Naming Scar pulse.

1 took 25's hand, lifting up her right arm.

I was hoping for a short name so the pain wouldn't last as long as he cut my new name into my skin. I had jinxed myself and was given the name Mitchell. 8 painful letters, an excruciating 7 minutes of the Naming Blade piercing through my skin.

25 stares wide-eyed as the Naming Blade touches her skin. She lets out a small whimper as skin broke.

I could hear the Blade tear through her flesh it was so silent.

The pain from the past lingers somewhere deep inside.

This is necessary. It is tradition.

It took 6 and a half minutes for the Naming Blade to spell her new name. 25's mouth opens a little as she stares at her Naming Scar.

1 takes a handkerchief and sops up the blood. 25 winces.

He holds up her arm, displaying her Naming Scar.

In big, bleeding, capital letters was the name MAUDIRE.

Applause and whistles erupt from the crowd.

It was elaborate for 1, but it was very pretty. It must be French.

But something was not right. 1 leans over and whispers something in Maudire's ear. She pales.

I stop applauding. Her witty, blue-green eyes were filled with fear, desperation.

What did he say to her?

~

Maudire disappeared from the room once 1 let her go.

"Twenty-fi--" I stopped myself. "Maudire!"

I guessed she had taken refuge in her room. I put my ear against the door and hear a crash.

"Maudire?" I called.

"Don't call me that!" Her voice was tearful and crackly.

"What would you like to be called?" I asked.

No answer.

"What is wrong? May I come in?"

"Yeah, sure, whatever!" She hisses.

I jump a little at her bitterness. I open her door and find her kneeling on her bed, her shoulders shaking.

Her desk has been turned over, her papers scattered around haphazardly.

I make my way over to her and sit on the edge of her bed.

She is sobbing, hiccuping.

"Hey," I said tentatively, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"Do you know what 'maudire' means, Mitch?" She asks between sobs.

"It sounds French." I replied.

"It is."

"What is it French for?" I ask.

She only cries harder.

"Come here," I say, opening my arms.

She throws her arms around my neck and cries into my shoulder. I hold her close.

What did 1 say to her? Did he threaten her? Does he know about her intention of running away?

I began to sing softly. It was a song I heard Scott Hoying sing one day.

So will you hold?

'Cause time is cold

But in your soul

I'm standing by

Her breaths became normal, and her sobs began to diminish. Her hiccups were still present, though.

"I'm? That is a strange word." She says, her voice still crackly.

"I suppose it is a human word." I replied.

"It is a nice song, though. Where did you hear it?"

"From Scott."

"Is he back?"

"Yes."

"Have you still not killed him?"

"No. You were right. It is murder. I am sorry."

"You do not have to apologize, Mitch. You were fed lies and misled."

"I believed them."

"1 is an awful person."

"What does 'maudire' mean?"

She took a deep breath. "Curse."

I straightened. "What?"

"'Maudire' is French for 'curse.'" She repeats.

________

Ooh, cliffhanger! Hehe. I'm evilllll.

-Spontaneous_Soprano