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57
Ivy's pov

My head on my pillow, eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling with my bedside lamp still on, I couldn't sleep. Still no word from Ethan. Fiona promised to give me a call if she heard any news about Ethan.

But nothing yet...

Did Glory really leave him there this time? Is he okay? Are they beating him up right now? Is he tired? Injured? Hurt?

No matter what I did, I couldn't get him off my mind. I was so worried about him. According to what I heard, Tom was completely fine, he healed pretty quickly and didn't even look affected by what happened earlier today.

I guess this was how this went in Inc high. I was only shocked because for a moment I forget they weren't completely human, and just a mere punch on the face would feel like a small pinch. Maybe this was how it worked, tough harsh punishment capable of causing pain.

Back in ICHS, a punch would have been a big deal, cause the next day, the victim comes to school with bruised swollen purple eye, and every one feels sympathy for them, but here, they go extreme to pass their message across, because give them 24 hours, they'd be as good as new, and everyone would move on from the incident until something else happened to cause another flare of rumors.

Inc high was just like every other typical highschool, but a little bit extreme on the dramatic side.

Maybe Ethan knew the boy would heal, that's why he went through that route.

But, Ethan's still locked up, and if Glory doesn't bother helping him out, then I'd never see him again. They'll take him away and do unspeakable things to him.

I can't let that happen... There must be a way to burst him out of there...

But how will I do that? Alone?

I sighed, rubbing my tired eyes and moving to switch off the bed side lamp, my knuckles brushing against my Tcom slightly as I pulled off the switch.

I turned to the otherside of the bed, closing my eyes to see if I could think of a way to get Ethan and possible every one out of here.

"Good Evening Ivy, what can I help you with?"

My eyes snapped open immediately, my heart nearly jumping out of my chest as I sat up. "W-who said that!" I stuttered, my eyes frantically searching the small dark room, until my eyes zoned in on the bright screen from my Tcom.

"You don't have to be scared, it is just me, Janie, the AI in control of your Tcom."

"What in the fuck?" I quickly reached for the bedside lamp, pulling it on.

Gulping down, I decided to speak. "J-Janie? Your name's Janie?"

"Yes, your very nice curly hair friend Roman, named me Janie, after your best friend on the outside." She said.

That is just- "Why would he do that?"

"If you ask me, I would say it is a very nice gesture. I can be your best friend if you tell me about Janie."

"But- you didn't- you didn't talk in school, you were like a normal tablet computer."

"In the premises of Inc high, we are programmed to remain asleep to ensure a very quiet learning experience, but outside the school premises, we can attend to anything you want."

I nodded, relaxing a bit. "Oh, that's- that's cool?"

"It is, indeed... Cool."

I chuckled, picking up the Tcom. "So, Janie, what are you programmed to do? I mean, what can you do?"

"A lot of things. We're more advanced than the usual artificial intelligence on the outside, we're built to monitor our controllers' feelings and needs, and also know what to say and when to say it."

"Oh... Do you have emotions?"

"I'm afraid we do not have that kind of theoretical extension."

I nodded. "What else can you do, asides from monitoring my needs and feelings?"

"If you're a new intake, we can offer directions to certain places you would wish to visit here at the sector, I can access the control file to your mobile phone and be with you at all times, with your permission. If you have questions about the sector and your base, I can answer them to my better understanding. I can also help you pick out dresses if you get invited to a party, since the Rebel sector go through a particular order they have to follow."

"That's great... Um, there's a shopping mall here?"

"There are over 25 shopping malls in this sector, where you can shop for clothes and do your ladies shopping... There are over 109 retail stores and supermarkets where you can get groceries."

There is a lot to explore. Malcolm did say if we needed anything regarding the money or feeding aspect, we should meet with him since he's solely responsible for us.

But I still wasn't feeling it here, and the only thing in my system was the sandwich Fiona forced to me eat at lunch break. 

"Is there any other thing I can help you with?"

"Um... Yeah. Do you have the authorization to access the CCTV system for Rebels prison?"

"I'm afraid we do not have that kind of theoretical extension."

"Oh, okay... Can you access files from the outside?"

"Our programming does not extend to the affairs of the outside, but within the Inc."

I furrowed my brows. "The Inc? Like you mean, the whole sectors in the Inc?"

"Indeed."

"Whoa, including the facility?"

"It is not impossible, but it will take a long time to get into the facilities access files. No one has ever been successful."

"But it is possible."

"Indeed."

"Okay, we will get back to that." I said.

"Can I ask you a favour?"

I furrowed my brows. "Um... Sure."

"Can you tell me a little bit about Janie? I would like to know more about her."

I sighed. "She was my best friend, before um- she had a boyfriend. We've known each other since we were thirteen. She was the nicest. I always stayed at her house when ever my-my parents travelled for business or vacation. We had almost everything in common and we were like sisters... I guess. But when she started dating Kyle, knowing I had a major crush on him, she changed, grew distant, hung out with the popular group, and only stop by to say hi. I didn't really have a problem with that since she still bothered to say hi."

"So she isn't your friend anymore."

"I wouldn't say that, I mean... She changed, people change. But- I know she's still a good person and I know she's possibly wondering why I disappeared after the news of my parents."

"Do you miss them? Your parents I mean?"

I paused, my teeth digging on my lower lip as emotions fought to dig their way out. "Can we not talk about that now?"

"Yes, as you wish, Ivy."

"It is not everyday-" The knock on my front door stopped me from completing my statement.

I frowned, dropping my Tcom on the bed, and making my way to the small living room, pulling the door open.

I froze, my breath hitching in my throat, my eyes scanning the calculated look on her face, as a small smile grew on her lips. Her hair had gone from the usual blonde state to a dark brown, giving her a striking resemblance to the picture I found in Ethan's room, while looking for the grey pill.

"Good evening Ivy, mind if I come in?" She asked.

I swallowed, putting on a poker face.

She didn't wait for a reply before gently making her way in.

"What do you want?" I asked, closing the door behind me, and turning to face her, with my arms over my chest.

"I see you've settled in quite nicely."

I didn't reply, I just raised a brow, gesturing for her to state the reason why she was here.

"You see Ivy, I think it's time for you to start appreciating what's happening to you."

"Excuse me?"

She smiled. "Not everyone gets an opportunity like this. You should be thankful."

"Thankful? Thankful that you killed my parents, destroyed my life?" I asked indignantly.

"Oh please, you parents were never really a big part of your life now, were they."

What the- "They were still my parents Glory! I loved them!"

"You'll get over it." She said like I was referring to a finished pen ink. "Listen Ivy, I had big plans for you and Roman, I wanted a little insight from you both, on my new project, but- I'm afraid, I'll have to let you both go."

"What?"

"I'm freeing you both. You can now go back to the outside and continue with your lives."

I felt my arm slip apart, my ears refusing to believe what I just heard. "You're letting us go?"

"I am."

"Why?"

She simply shrugged. "Just because... You both have been through a lot, and just out of my kind generous heart, I'm willing to free you both."

"I don't believe you. It's either you have something up your sleeves or someone is making you do this." I swallowed.

She nodded. "I love my son, Ethan so much, and I want nothing more than to see him happy. He asked me to let you and Roman go. Apparently, that would make him happy."

My heart fell straight to my stomach. "What?"

Glory smiled. "He doesn't want you here sweetheart, and I never really liked the both of you together, so I think it's best you leave."

"He wants me to leave?" I asked, my head swimming with a bunch of new thoughts.

"Yes he does." She gave a victorious smile.

"What the hell am I going to go back to? My life is basically destroyed!"

Glory sighed. "What you go back to, is none of my business. You and your friends have 24 hours to decide, and leave. When that time passes, you're stuck here, forever. It's your choice." She said.

I blinked, gulping down the lump in my throat.

"I'll leave you now, to think about it. Pass the message across to dear Roman. Good night sweetheart, don't worry about any bedbug bites, we don't have those in this dimension." She said with a wide smile before pulling open the door and walking out, gently closing it behind her.

_

Fiona's pov

I slipped back into the shadows when glory walked out of Rebel sector's Base 8. A man in black suit pulling open the door to the back seat of the slick SUV, as she got in smoothly. The car drove off into the shadows, the back lights slowly fading from my view, as my mind wondered why she'd been here.

Getting out of the shadows, I made my way Into Base 8, my strides quiet and soft against the smooth ground.

Reaching my destination, I took in a deep breath, raised my knuckles and knocked softly at the door.

My heart was literally hitting my chest. I knew quite well that he wouldn't want to see me, seeing as he seemed to hate my guts, but I still owe him an apology.

When there was no reply, or sound from the other side, I knocked again, a little bit louder this time.

I let out a deep breath.

Maybe he's already asleep.

I raised my hand to knock for the last time, but before my knuckles could connect with the door, it swung open.

My heart sank low in my chest, as my eyes came to meet that of Lulu's.

Her eyes were wide, hair wet like she just came our of the shower. She was wearing grey spaghetti strapped blowse, and black short shorts.

"Lulu?"

"Yes, Fiona?"

"Wh-what are you doing here?" I asked, surprised.

She raised a brows. "I should be asking the same, aren't you supposed to be in your sector?"

I blinked. "I- I came to see Ro-" I stopped short when I heard hasty footsteps rushing towards the door, not long after, Roman appeared behind Lulu, a shirt on his grip.

He stood there, damp curly hair, playing freely around his head... and completely shirtless

To say I was shocked would be an understatement. Accompanied with my shocked state, I was a little disappointed and... Hurt?

"Fiona? What are you doing here?" He asked with furrowed brows, slipping his black shirt over his head and down his body

I gulped down. "I- I- um... Nothing, sorry-sorry if I- if I interrupted any-anything." I said, backing away slowly before turning and walking fast paced down the hallway, away from them.

"Fiona!" I heard him call and rush after me, but I couldn't will myself to even stop walking. "Fiona, wait up!"

He reached me, pulling me back from my pace, to face him. "Let go." I shrugged off his grip.

He was breathing heavily. "What the hell was that? Why did you just run off?" He asked incredulously.

"You were busy, I didn't want to intrude or anything."

"Busy? What do you mean?"

I raised a brow. "I believe I just saw LuLu with you, you both-" I sighed. "Forget it, goodnight." I said, turning to walk away but he rushed to stand in front of me, stopping my movement.

"We're weren't doing anything, she just wanted me to help her fix something on her Tcom."

"Yeah, Not that I care or anything, but that involves the both of you looking like you had showered together?"

"What? She came to me like that, and I was just getting out of the shower when I let her in. I went to get a shirt so I could quickly see what the problem with her Tcom was but then I heard voices and I came back out to see you were there."

I shrugged. "You don't have to explain, cause like I said, I don't really care."

He nodded, something flashing through his eyes. "Okay... Um... So, why did you come here?"

"Nothing important, I should get back to my sector." I said, trying to move but he held my arm back.

"Hey, you didn't come all the way from the Willing for nothing important. That I'm sure of, so can you talk to me?"

I sighed, my eyes going to his warm hand encased gently around my arm.

Quickly he took his hand away, shoving both into his pockets.

"I came to- I came to apologize, for uh- for everything I did. I know you don't really want to have much to do with me because I was a total bitch to you, but I just wanted to let you know that I did it for a reason, and I'm- I'm sorry if I hurt you in anyway." I said, my eyes raising to meet his as he stared down at me.

He shrugged "Um, it's okay... I mean, I've never really held a grudge against anyone but- you threatening me just kinda ticked that off. Sorry if I seemed mean too."

I sighed. "Yeah, it's cool. So we're... We're good?"

"Yeah," he scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah, we're good." He smiled softly.

The smile brightened up his whole face, making him look really really hot.

"Great, then... Uh- I should get going." I rushed out, swallowing.

"Yeah."

I backed away, turning the other direction and walking further away.

"Fiona?" He called.

I turned immediately. "Yeah?"

"Um... Be careful, these streets are really dark and spooky at night."

I suppressed a smile. "Don't worry, my beetle's just a few base away, see you at school tomorrow."

"Yeah. Sure thing."

I turned, biting my lip to stop my smile from growing further than it already was.

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Till the next update, bye beauties!

Nora.