Hey everyone! Chapter two is here!! Also, there will be a lot of timeskips and the lengths vary. It could be one day, it could be a whole week, it just depends on my mood.

And, I'm already at almost a hundred reads???? Thank y'all somaj and I love reading all the comments y'all leave! I'm glad y'all are enjoying it so far!

Also, a bit of a warning, this chapter has a bit of backstory, including Travis.

Now, if what I write about Travis upsets you, and you decide to leave a comment, please be polite about it. Whether you believe Travis is a bad person, or a good person, please don't create any tension. I beg of you. In-fighting amongst the fandom is never good.

So, yeah. Here's Day 4.

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Day 4

Three days later, I still have not drowned Scott Hoying. 25 still has not gone to her classes.

But on the bright side, Kris is getting along just fine.

Kris's gaze shifted between 25 and me at breakfast that morning. "You never take this long to complete an assignment, Mitch," He says.

"I know," I grumbled.

"What happens if I miss one more day of class?" 25 asks.

"You could be brought before the Council of 10." Kris replies. "And that never ends well."

I shut my eyes.

"What?" 25 says.

I open my eyes. 25 was staring at me, concerned.

"Nothing." I sighed, rubbing my eyes. The memories are painful.

25 bit her lip, then changes the subject.

"All right." She sighs. "I'll go to class today. I just really don't like 10."

I nodded understandingly. 10 was not the best teacher, or so I have heard from 25's constant complaining. 10 was not my teacher...

I blink away the memories that threatened to come flooding back. I rubbed my eyes and yawned.

"What about you, Mitch?" Kris presses. "You still have not completed your assignment."

"I know," I repeated from earlier, but with the same amount of exasperation. "Scott Hoying is impossible." I said, running my hand through my hair, then fixing it. "He always has friends over. Though I think one of them is more than a friend..."

Kris nods. "So he is a very sociable person. Tough." He consoles, though his voice was not very sympathetic.

"Nice to know you care, Kris," I replied sarcastically.

"I apologize, Mitch. I have never had such an assignment before." Kris replies remorsefully.

"Well I would be happy to give you advice if the situation were to arise." I said.

Kris smiles a little, nodding.

"Better finish your breakfast, 25." I suggested. "10 will have your head if you are late. Also, if you are tardy, you will find yourself standing before the Council."

25 nods, putting away her bowl in the sink.

"Wish me luck," She says over her shoulder as she walks away.

"You will be fine, 25, do not be overdramatic." I called to her.

"Mm-hmm," 25 hums.

Kris and I sigh in unison.

"Was I ever like this?" I asked him.

Kris shook his head. "You had a little bit of teenage angst but never on this scale. What are we going to do with her?"

"Our best." I replied. "I'm sure she'll realize her true purpose and become a beautiful Reflection."

"Yeah, 10 will set her straight. He may be strict, but with such a rebellious spirit as 25, she will need it." Kris adds.

I nodded in agreement. "I wonder what it is like to have him as a teacher. I am sure that he is no Travis, but..."

"Travis, Travis, Travis," Kris mumbles.

"Travis was good to me." I snapped.

Kris raises his hands as if he were being held at gunpoint. "I apologize."

"He did not teach you, Kris. You did not know him like I did." I sighed.

"He was tried for-"

"I know." I almost yelled. I tried to collect myself, taking a deep breath.

"Please do not speak of Travis." I said. "I will be at the Pools if you need me." I stood up, set my bowl in the sink, and walked away.

~

When I opened my eyes after I entered my Pool, Scott Hoying was not there.

The lights were off.

He must be away.

He was a singer. Maybe he has a concert?

I sighed and left my Pool.

~

I nearly jumped out of my skin when I saw 1 standing beside me.

"What seems to be the problem, Mitchell?" He asks, his deep, raspy voice sending shivers up my spine. I swallowed hard.

"He was not there. He is a singer; he might be performing at a concert or something." I said, trying to keep my voice from trembling. I was telling the truth; I was just afraid of 1.

He has always scared me. His voice, his cold, stony eyes, the jagged scar that ran from his temple down to his chin...

1's eyes squinted. I tried to calm myself down so 1 would not think I was lying, even though I was telling the truth.

He nods and walks away, his black robe draping behind him.

I let out a deep breath, my body hunching. My heart hammered in my chest, my breaths grew short. I shut my eyes and tried to even my breathing.

I should not be afraid of my creator. I should not tremble before the man who raised me in his bosom. I have seen assignments sitting happily with their family, talking and laughing. Why can I not speak with 1 at ease? Casually? Why can I not tell him jokes or how my day was? Why can I not tell him about the dream I had last night? Why can I not tell him about my nightmares?

Why am I terrified of 1?

Maybe it was because of what he made Travis do...

I was there. I saw 1's lips form the words "sentenced to death."

My head throbs as the memories rush through my mind.

I shook my head, blinking rapidly. I rubbed my temples and stood.

"What would you like me to do, sir?" I asked 1.

1 straightened, startled at my outburst. He turns around and his eyes scan me.

"You can help 10 while he teaches 25." He replies coolly.

I nodded.

"You are a great Reflection, Mitchell. You have a lot of potential."

"Thank you, sir," I replied courteously.

"And 25 looks up to you. I am sure she will listen to you."

I pursed my lips, biting my tongue. I cannot give her intentions away. I cannot lose another one of my friends.

"I am too, sir." I finally replied, giving him a smile.

1 does not say anything; he just turns on his heel and walks away.

I felt a great weight lift from my shoulders as 1's intimidating presence faded away.

I composed myself and began to make my way to the classroom.

~

"25 YOU LITTLE-"

I came running in as I heard 10's booming voice.

I slowed down as I entered the room, seeing that 25 was on her knees. She covered her face with her hands.

"Hey," I said, raising my voice slightly.

10 straightened, his eyes darting to me. "Oh, Mitchell... I..."

"1 sent me here to help you with 25." I tried to sound casual, but I was angry that he was treating 25 in such a way.

"1 sent you?" 10 asks.

I nodded.

25 looked up at me. "Mitch?"

The beginnings of a bruise marked her left cheek. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying. Her pupils were so wide there was barely any iris visible.

10 is strict, huh? More along the lines of abusive.

I clenched my teeth and walked over to 25, holding out my hand.

She takes it and I help her stand up.

"Why did you not tell me he was doing this to you?" I whispered in her ear. "If you had told me I would have defended you."

25 bit her lip. "He said I could not tell anyone."

"Why?"

Tears filled her greenish-blue eyes. "He would hurt me again."

"Did you tell someone? Is that why he gave you that?" I shifted my gaze to the newborn bruise on her cheek.

"No, I just did something wrong." She chuckled as she said this, wiping away a tear.

"You know, Mitchell, that this is a great way to train new Reflections." 10 mumbles.

My anger breached the surface.

"Travis never hit me." I snapped, walking up to him. 10 was much taller than I was, but he seemed to shrink down to my size as I approached him.

"Travis?" 25 says.

"He let you use his name?" 10 whispers.

I bit my lip, backing away slightly. I sighed and nodded. "Yes. He did."

10 grew brooding and intimidating once again. "Why do you defend him? You were his victim." He asks.

"No. Travis never hurt me. He was always kind. He always encouraged me."

"We had evidence that he did abuse you. We had no choice but to sentence him to death." 10 says coolly.

"WHAT MAKES YOU ANY BETTER THAN HIM?!" I cried.

I heard 25 gasp. It was the first time I had ever yelled.

I stood in front of 10, clenching and unclenching my fists.

"25 is right. This system is cruel." I said in a hushed, angry whisper.

"You both have committed treason by saying such things. You are aware of this." 10 replies.

"I will tell 1 what you have been doing to 25 if you turn us in. Then you will die with us." I barked. 10's eyes scanned me, his lips pursed. Then he was looking at 25.

I turn my head and see 25's eyes as wide as saucers, her whole body trembling.

I sighed. "I am sorry you had to see that, 25."

"Who is Travis?" She asks.

I sighed again. "I will tell you later. Go to your room." I faced 10 again. "I will take care of this."

I hear 25's footfalls gradually fade out of ear shot.

I take a deep, shuddering breath.

"I will never figure you; neither for convicting Travis, nor for hurting 25." I growled.

10 nods. "I understand."

"I will let you go, but I ask that you remember what I just said."

10 nods once more. "I will."

I shot him one last glare and stormed out of the room.

~

I walked into 25's room.

She lied on her bed, her chest rising and falling.

She was asleep.

I knelt by her bed.

"You would have liked Travis." I said. "He was very kind to me, despite what 10 said earlier. Please do not listen to 10. Travis was the kindest person I have ever known. He never got angry, he was always patient, and he always tried to help. I only wish you could have at least seen him. Just once." I sigh. "I am sorry 10 treated you so poorly. You do not deserve that." I smile. "I love you, 25." I lean forward and kiss her brow. "Sleep well."

I stood up and began to make my way out of the room.

I stood at the doorway when I heard 25 sigh contentedly.

"Travis seems really nice," She says, her voice drawn out and drowsy.

I smiled. "He was."

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Again, please be polite when you express your opinion about this chapter and/or Travis. And also, if you don't like the way I portray Travis, just stop reading. It's that easy!

Whether you enjoyed it or not, I thank you for the read.

-Spontaneous_Soprano