~~~~~~~~~Iv's POV~~~~~~~~~

Hazy.

It was all just a blurry nightmare.

I could barely form a complete memory.

About Noah.

About the factory.

About... these new powers...

It felt as if something else took over me, I couldn't control what I did.

It was terrifying, to say the least...

I had been floating in darkness for what felt like hours. I couldn't move my body, except for my head. Not that there was much to see anyways.

To my surprise though, I softly landed on solid ground. Or at least, that's what it felt like, everything was still pitch black.

I looked around, still feeling nervous about this. But my blood turned cold at the sound of a new voice.

"It's about time."

I turned around, facing the person who spoke with the very familiar voice, my eyes widening at the sight.

Me.

Another one, she looked exactly like me. It was unbelievable..!

"Don't look so surprised. We are in your head, after all." There was a smirk on her face, one I had never even done before.

Ryan, Ashley, Alexa.

They had those smiles before, so many times.

But I'm not like them. I know that.

"Aren't you, though?" She began to walk towards me, forcing me to walk back. I kept a straight face, not wanting to show the fear that began rising in my chest.

And yet, it was as if she could see right through me. "You know it yourself, Ivangelys. You know all of this is your fault."

"You're right, I do know that, but I'm at least trying to fix it."

"Fix it?!" She let out a laugh, her eyes flickering between colors. "By lying? Arguing? Pushing your family away?"

"I'm trying to protect them!"

"Is that it? Or are you trying to protect your pride? Because you knew if all of this got out, you'd be the one they'd all blame, they'd all hate you for a good reason."

I opened my mouth to argue back, and yet there was a lump in my throat that wouldn't let me speak, which only made her smirk grow wider.

"You're selfish, pathetic, and weak. Nothing but a coward who hides the truths from others, a liar!!"

I felt my back press against a wall, making me freeze up at the feeling, but keeping the glare on my face. "I'm none of those things!!"

"You keep telling yourself it's for the best, that it's all to protect those you love, but what has it done so far?!? It's all caused nothing but suffering, to your brother, your sister, your friends!!!

You've failed them!!!"

Failed...

No...

No, I- that's not-!

"I didn't-!!"

"Just admit it to yourself!!! You've failed to protect them, you've failed to protect yourself!!! You've failed to keep it all under control, and now they pay the price for your actions!!!"

I couldn't move as she grabbed my arm, pulling me over with a sickening grin. "But don't you worry, we can end it right here, right now..!!"

I grew pale as a dagger formed in her hand, bringing it up to my neck. I could feel tears stinging in my eyes as I gripped her arm so she'd keep the dagger away, fighting shutting my eyes.

"S-stop it, leave me alone!!!"

"But, Ivangelys.." I opened my eyes to see she was gone, in front of me a mirror.

It was then that I realized.. I-I was holding the dagger, pressing it against my own neck.

"You're the one doing this to yourself.."

I could only stare wide eyed at the mirror, trying to pull my arm away, but it wouldn't move. The only thing I could hear was my heartbeat as my reflection turned into something I couldn't recognized.

A silhouette. She still looked like me in a strange way, but covered in black tar from head to toe, orange lines all over as if replacing her veins, her eyes piercing into me.

This feeling...

I-I wanted this to stop...

Make it stop...!

"Make this stop!!! I want it to stop!!!"

"Aw, poor pathetic little princess~" Spoke my reflection, a wide smile spread across her face. "You have the choice to end it now, right in your hand~.."

I winced as the blade presses further into my neck, a small drop of blood sliding down. "N-no..!"

"Go away...!"

"Make it go away...!!"

"I don't want this!! Any of it!!"

"Please, just make it stop!!!"

"MAKE IT STOP!!!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I sat up, taking in a sharp breath.

My whole body trembled as I gripped my bedsheets, desperately trying to catch my breath. I could only stare at the wall in front of me, unsure of what had happened, or what will happen..

After a few seconds, I placed a hand over my neck, unable to feel the bleeding cut.

Just a nightmare..

Th-that's all it was..

I was more than thankful to be back in my room. Letting out a heavy sigh, I passed my hands through my hair, trying to calm myself down.

I perked up as I heard the door open, seeing Noah standing by the doorway as he looked at me, worry clear on his face.

He let out a sigh of relief, walking over to the side of my bed. "You're awake..!"

Once close enough to see the state I was in, he grow concerned once more. "You feeling okay..?"

I could only nod, not having the strength to even speak at this point. I hated this feeling..

Useless...

Weak...

No, I'm none of that. I'm doing this for them.

I forced myself to stand out of bed, stumbling at the lack of energy. Noah immediately wrapped an arm around me, stopping me from falling. "Whoa, hey..! Take it easy...!"

"I-I'm fine, Em..." My voice came out as a raspy whisper, gently pulling his arm away from me. I couldn't tell him about this, what would he think of me...?

He probably wouldn't even believe me...

"Iv...?" I turned to face him as he called. "We're you... crying...?"

I felt myself grow paler than I already was, staying silent for a while. I then bawled my hands into fists, looking away. "No.. I'm not that weak.."

"You know that's not what I meant.." He gently placed a hand on my shoulder. I could tell there was more he wanted to say, but he had already pulled his hand away in surprise.

I turned to face him, seeing him looking at me with wide eyes. "... what.."

"You're.. cold.."

"So..?"

He grew serious. "'So..?!' You've never been this cold..!"

"Whatever, it's not important.."

"Iv, please talk to me, I'm seriously worried about you..!"

"I don't need you to worry about me, focus on yourself.."

"I can't do that when I know you're like this..!"

"Like what, Noah?!? Weak?!? Is that it?!? I'm too weak to do anything?!? That I can't find Ashley, I can't bring your powers back, I can't even stand?!? I know that!!! I know that everything that's happened is my fault, I know I let my pride get the best of me and everything got out of control!!! What I don't know is how to fix it!!! I-"

I choked on my own sobs as they began to escape, finally noticing the tears that continuously streamed down my face.

"I-I don't know...! I don't know...!"

I finally let myself fall to my knees as I buried my face in my hands. "I don't know how to fix this... I am just a weak coward..."

She's right about me...

About everything...

I'm pathetic...

A disgrace...

All that was heard in the room for a while was silence, until I felt gently arms wrapped around me, making me tense up.

"It's okay, Iv... It's gonna be alright..."

It was strange how he'd always be able to comfort me... Just his presence alone was enough to calm me down...

I let myself fall into his grip, gently gripping the front of his jacket as I buried my face on his chest. "I-I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."

He kept me close, and for the first time in years...

I let myself cry...

Thanks for reading!!! 'Till next time!!!

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