The days passed by rather quick, and before they realized it, it was already Wednesday—one day before that fateful trade. The day Mark would be given to one of the most powerful and sadistic Evolveds in the world. The day he wondered if he'd lose his life or not.

    They'd been training hard for the past four days, glossing over Evolved morals, knowledge—even education. When they had free time, they'd spar and find ways to make Mark seem like a more believable Evolved. Worked on his persona physically, mentally—rounded him out and erased anything too human about him.

    No matter how convincing he looked now, Mark couldn't help but doubt himself.

    Mark thickly swallowed and tried to push aside those thoughts, staring at himself paint his Evolved persona in the mirror. His hands worked a midnight black color into his skin, the enchanted paint cold. Dark stood behind him like a shadow, watching Mark go through his new routine carefully.

    "W-what if Antinstine finds out," Mark suddenly blurted, breaking through the silence. He stopped kneading the color into his forearm, leaving the other one bare. Half lie, half truth.

    Dark glanced up with those shocking red eyes of his, gazing at Mark in the mirror. He carefully lifted his hands and rested them on Mark's shoulders, massaging them carefully.

    "The paint won't smudge," reassured Dark. "We tested that, remember?"

    Mark swallowed, and he glanced over at the vial of black liquid on the vanity desk. "B-but—what if it—does."

    Dark softly sighed, circling around Mark and blocking the mirror. He held the sides of Mark's arms, gazing into his eyes softly.

    "You won't be there any longer than planned," he said. Dark reached behind him to grab the vial, pouring the thick, congealed substance into his hands. "I promise."

    "Two weeks can feel like forever, though, " Mark muttered as Dark lifted his bare arm, working the paint into his skin.

    Dark coated Mark's fingers, his hand... the substance slid beneath his palms with ease, and he coated Mark's entire forearm with pure black, stopping before the elbow. He pulled away and wiped his hands on a damp rag, the paint going away with mild ease. That didn't seem to ail Mark's worries.

    "Come now," said Dark softly. "Before morning's gone."

    Mark sighed and nodded, rubbing his hands together and following after Dark. They walked through the many halls, stopping in the main entrance. Equinox walked forward at the sight of them, dressed in her usual gothic attire.

    "Viper," she greeted Mark, giving a playful smile. Mark frowned at that. "Are you ready?"

    Dark gave a nod, and he stopped, turning towards Mark. He grabbed Mark's blackened hands and gazed down at them. "As much as I'd like to spend this last day with you," he said, voice soft and withdrawn, "I can't."

    His fingers flexed over Mark's, and he glanced up to meet those sharp red eyes.

    "When we... defeat Antinstine," said Mark with uncertainty, "will you move back to the City?"

    Dark tilted his head and smiled, giving Mark's hands a squeeze before letting go.

    "That's a question for another time," he said. He glanced over at Equinox, and she stepped forward, joining Mark's side.

    "We'll be back before sunset," she said, reddish eyes gleaming. Dark nodded and took a step back, folding his hands behind his back.

    "Remember your character, Mark," said Dark. "Even if Equinox will help you through the city, you should—"

    "Always stay on guard," said Mark, glancing over at Equinox. She was the one who had taught him that lesson. He sighed and put on a smile, nodding. "I will, don't worry."

    Equinox smiled at that, then walked down the hall to open the door. She stepped aside, beckoning for Mark to go through.

    "Eyes is watching, right?" asked Equinox, glancing back at Dark.

    "Always," said Dark.

Equinox nodded and shut the door, the breeze running through her hair. She and Mark stood on the porch now, the chill of the afternoon buzzing around them.

    Mark took a deep breath and sighed, fingers flexing. A thick drop of paint splattered on the floor, and he rubbed his hands together again. He flinched when Equinox rested a hand on his shoulder.

    "I can see the worry clear on your face," said Equinox, tilting her head to gaze at him fully. Her hand on his shoulder tightened as she spoke. "You're Viper now."

    Mark nodded and closed his eyes, took a deep breath, then opened his eyes again. Slipping into that terrible, dreadful character. Already, he could feel himself wanting to slip away and hide back in the mansion.

    "I'm ready," he forced himself to say, dropping his hands and rolling his shoulders back. Equinox's eyes glimmered with satisfaction at the clear change, and she nodded, dropping her hand.

    "Time for a tour," she said smoothly.

    Mark forced himself to keep his gaze forward, walking alongside Equinox with ease. His real self would have glanced back... stared through the mansion walls and hoped he could sense Dark's presence. But not anymore, no. He was... Evolved...

    He and Equinox walked down the worn trail, the blackened trees looming high over them with jagged spikes and lines. They grew thicker the further they went, and Mark remembered the night he ran off. His skin tingled at the thought—the poison from those very trees still burned in the back of his head.

    Fanged Elders. Enchanted trees to keep humans away from Evolved territory. It only showed just how different they were... These barriers were't to protect the Evolveds within. They were to attack those outside it.

    The trail shifted into a broken cobblestone, and the twigs beneath their feet faded. Rather than the rustling of grass and the snaps of bramble, their shoes clicked along the floors.

    The menacing forest ended and opened up to that rustic-looking village—everything speaking of a much earlier time period. Equinox seemed to fit right in with the medieval atmosphere while Mark stuck out.

    From the left, a horse's hooves clattered against the cobblestone streets. Equinox tagged behind Mark, lifting up a hand.

    "You order the cab," she said, shoving a few gold coins into Mark's hand. Mark startled, his heart pounding in his throat when the cab came to a slow right before them.

    Equinox elbowed him hard, glaring at him through the corner of her eye.

    "Emotions, Viper," she breathed. Mark swallowed and nodded, face going hard. He took a few strides forward and reached up, handing the cabby the coins. There was a droplet of black on them, but he paid no mind to it.

    "The City," he said, voice firm. The cabby nodded and pocketed the coin, adjusting the reins.

    Mark glanced back at Equinox, and she gave a satisfied smile. They boarded into the carriage, which rocked as they seated themselves. With a cracking whip, the carriage lurched and the carriage began to move, the horse's hooves clicking against the cobblestone.

    Mark rubbed his hands together and took a deep breath, thankful for the curtains over the windows. His heart was pounding, mind racing and body on edge.

    Equinox leaned over and rested a hand on Mark's thigh, gazing at him pointedly.

    "You have a right to be scared," she said firmly, voice loud enough for Mark to hear but not the cabby. Her hair swished against her face along with the rocking movements of the carriage. "You're an ant amongst giants... This is a world you know so little about."

    Mark took a deep breath and exhaled through his nose, face contorted into one of deep worry. Equinox pulled her hand away and leaned back. She crossed her legs, able to keep her balance and pristine posture despite the rough ride.

    She kept eye contact with Mark as she extended an arm and tore open one of the curtains. Mark winced, the afternoon light jutting in.

    "Look," she said.

    Mark glanced at Equinox and studied her before obeying, scooting over to gaze through the open window. The streets were bustling and busy—packed with Evolveds. Many stopped by little market stands, waited in line, or simply walked with friends to and fro... While many of them looked intimidating and full of themselves, they were still... happy.

    "Evolveds are humans," said Equinox. "Our only advantage is our powers."

    Mark glanced back at her, and she gazed out the window. He followed her gaze, studying the houses, the streets, the people... Even a few children ran about, pointing at their carriage as they passed with laughs and smiles.

    "It's what we've done with these powers," she said, "that have made us so different."

    Mark took a deep breath and nodded, his heart beginning to race again when the village began to shift into more modern structures.

    The cobblestone smoothed into a black pavement, and the carriage no longer bounced and rocked. The blaring of horns, the screeching of tires, and the rumble of engines echoed not too far off, and Mark craned his head to look ahead of them.

    Up ahead, the city loomed like menacing claws. Buildings arched into the sky, all glittering with sharp angles and steel. Under the sunlight, the city seemed to glitter like a star, but it wasn't as bright as the mansion far, far down—cradled by the jagged mountains.

    A sickness clawed at Mark's throat.

    Antinstine's mansion... A.W. Manor...

    He took a deep breath and pushed the feeling down, face going serious again. Equinox watched with vague fascination, the line between Mark and Viper still blurred. Despite that, it was impressive—a normal person wouldn't have developed such a contrast within the few days they had, but Mark? He was different from the beginning.

    The carriage lulled to a stop, the honking and tumultuous chatter surrounding them in a blurring, screeching cacophony. A few cars passed by before the carriage began again, the sound of the horse's hooves blending in with the sounds of the city.

    Mark watched shops and businesses pass by, unable to help but stare at the people walking along the sidewalks. Lights flashed despite the bright of day, and Mark pulled away from the window and pulled down the curtain.

    He took a deep breath, struggling to keep himself in character when the carriage came to a halt. Equinox watched him all the while, and she opened the door, heels clicking on the smooth pavement. Cars whizzed past her, her body threatening to pull into the wind, but she paid no mind to it. She circled around the carriage while Mark exited, sending a nod towards the cabby.

    "Thank you, sir," she said. The cabby nodded, glancing over his shoulder at the oncoming traffic and smoothly merging back onto the road.

    Mark's heart pounded in his ears as he stood, stumbling when Evolveds pushed past him. Equinox smiled and rested a hand on his arm, guiding him through the sidewalk with ease.

    While she was completely unaffected by the City, Mark couldn't help but be awe-struck. So many people that looked like him yet so different... all with entirely different values, mindsets... No matter how hard he tried to stay stoic, his mind couldn't help but race.

    This is my new prison, he thought.

Thank you so much for reading!

Have a wonderful day,

Kassian xoxo