The broken gear

Midnight visit

Nelle was in the middle of the bed staring at the ceiling. She felt guilty and frustrated. She didn't need to sleep, neither did any god or One. The only time they slept was when they wanted, passed out due to alcohol, or whether they had a specific substance put in their drink. Eventually she decided to get some rest. As her eyelids were getting heavy she saw a light in the room. She raised herself.

"Hey." said the figure as it slowly turned into someone who looked slightly younger than Nelle. She had wavy hair that reached the bottom of her shoulder plates. Like Nelle's, it started brown and turned gold as it reached the end. She had freckles and pink irises. She was also wearing a pair of light blue jeans and a black long sleeved shirt. "It's been a while."

"Yeah."

She sat down next to Nelle.

"Where you going to fall asleep?"

"Yeah."

"You might not like this but I saw mom talking to Xsala."

Nelle's eyes widened. "What did they talk about?"

"I couldn't really hear but I think mom mentioned something about you having to make the right choice."

"But Xsala can't kill gods, so why?"

"Don't worry, I'll keep helping you."

"Wait. You don't think she would kill an innocent family would she?

"I'm not sure wh-? Oh. Oh!"

"Yeah."

"I'll see if I can get more information."

"Thanks, Phena."

"You're welcome."

Phena transformed into a being of light and faded away.

Nelle stayed up wondering about how to prepare in case Xsala came after them. Luckily Phena appearing made her lose her feeling of sleep. She thought of the eyes. They could probably help Thomas slow her down or put up a fight against her. She walked around the room for a bit. She wondered if Thomas' house had a book on cryptids and/or the eyes. She put her hand together as if she was carrying something.

"I summon you to show me the way."

She chanted that a few times and then a small yellow glowing orb with cicada wings appeared. It fluttered around her then flew and hovered in front of the door. Nelle approached it and opened it slowly.

It fluttered through the small opening. Nelle silently panicked. She saw a light coming through the bathroom door. She closed the door enough to where she could see through it and not be spotted. After hearing running water, she saw Arthur walk downstairs where the light flew. She hoped he wouldn't see the light. Luckily she didn't hear anything. She looked back at the clock and saw it was 2 in the morning while she slowly stepped out of her room.