In the Name of Chaos

Chapter 12: Changes

I notice many people staring at us as soon as we exit the elevator and walk into the halls of Bunker Level One. Saint walks with me because he, for a while now, has been staying in a room that's not too far from mine.

First, I think people must be staring because they don't recognise us; courtesy of Rae's masks. However, this prediction goes out the window once I see Saga running towards us, yanking free from her mother's grasp before doing so. Ms Mane shakes her head as she watches her child.

"Willowwww," Saga hurls herself at me, and I lift her up to squeeze her against my chest before releasing her from my hug and placing her down, allowing her small feet to once again touch the floor.

"How'd you know it was me?" I ask.

"I was there when Uncle Rae changed your face, remember?" Saga stretches her arms up, and I, wanting to help her, bend slightly to allow her to squeeze my cheeks.

I forgot that Saga was there when Rae changed our appearance. Judging from the relaxed state of the security, they must have known who we are too. Well, if they never knew, now they do. Still, there must be some reason they're staring at us, and I'm not sure the masks are interesting enough to cause that reaction.

I feel a presence behind me, and I turn around to see Sogi who is now patting my leg. I stretch out my arms to hug him, but I feel embarrassed once I realise his outstretched arms were not intended to hug me. Rather, Sogi, offering me a smile, shoves me aside so he can see Saga.

"Hello—" Sogi's greeting to Saga is interrupted when a younger boy, one I have never seen before, playfully hits Sogi on the back of his head before laughing and quickly running away. "Why would..."

Sogi shakes his now slightly tilted head before putting his attention back on Saga. However, despite a now open-mouthed Sogi, Saint takes this opportunity to speak to Saga.

"You won't greet me, Saga?"

"Shut up, Frosty."

"Don't make me tell—"

"Okay, I'm sorry." Saga interrupts Saint's threats and hurls herself at Saint. She ends up hugging his legs, and he just pats her head before pushing her away.

"Your hair's growing," he says.

"I know." Saga then tugs at my shirt. "I met your friend, Willow. You told me he was nice, but Kane didn't really want to talk to me."

"What do you mean, Saga?"

"I mean, he isn't as nice as you said. He isn't funny, too, but I think he's sad. He looks sad."

"Saga, where is Kane?" I move my face a little too close to hers and lightly, I hope, shake her shoulders. She must be confused.

"He's in your room." Saga looks a little scared, but I'll have to apologize to her later.

I turn away from Saga, Sogi and Saint, and I run towards my room. Saints, whose footsteps I hear following behind me, shouts for me to stop, but I ignore his words.

I continue running towards my run as quickly as I can, yet I try to be careful to avoid bumping into anyone. I almost fall when rounding a corner and end up using a lanky man to gain my balance.

As I near my room, my run becomes quick strides, and when I glance behind me, I notice Saint has stopped running to. I reach the door and push it open without hesitation, wondering if Saga's words will cause disappointment. She may have been confused. Although, I hope her words were true. It would mean I'll finally see Kane and Mathea again.

As I step into my room, I see a figure sitting on my bed. Except for a few extra scars running down his neck and arm, Kane looks the same as he always has.