RE:WRITTEN

019: Truth Be Told

I can't get that image out of my head.

As we run away from the scene, the recent events replay over and over in my head. Soveliss is tightly holding my hand, but it doesn't distract me from my thoughts. Tears prick my eyes. My heart aches from how hard it beats.

My sister is corrupted.

That's the one thing I never wanted to happen.

As we near the observatory, I hear the voices of Allisa and Sakasu whispering back and forth to one another. Snowie yips a few times as we get close to the door. We each go inside, and as we do, we hear our friends' voices.

"Did they just get back?"

"I think so."

We turn the corner for the library, and I see Nova waving to us. A wide smile is on her face until she sees mine. Immediately, the smile falls.

"Whoa. What happened?!"

Saisho stands. He walks up behind Nova. "Is everything okay?" He asks as he watches us.

Sakasu shakes her head. "There are many things wrong right now. So many things."

"What do you mean?" Ikimono demands an answer.

Allisa looks at the tall, dark-haired girl. Her gray eyes shake a little.

"We saw Corruption."

Everyone in the room goes silent. Looks of horror appear on Nova, Saisho, Ikimono, and Naomi's faces.

"Corruption? Where?" Naomi asks.

Snowie walks up to my side.

"Well, you see, we went to Soveliss's parents' place, and they told us this weird poem. It didn't even rhyme. Whoever wrote it was kinda dumb because it didn't make sense... but anyway, yeah! So we got a piece of paper that I probably can't eat. And when we were on our way home, we saw some girl that apparently Amai knows. I dunno her, she looks like she's mean. But she got hit with Corruption, and then she started to attack us. So yeah. That happened."

Everyone just stares at Snowie in shock and disbelief. I purse my lips, replaying what she just said in my own head.

"Violet was hit with Corruption..." Ikimono finally says. The girl with two eye colors shakes her head. "Dammit."

"Can I say that word?" Snowie asks.

"What word?"

"Dammit."

Everyone gasps for a second. I see Nova trying not to laugh, and Saisho is pale with shock. Naomi rubs her temples. I look over to Sakasu and Allisa, who seem confused. Soveliss is silent as he stares at the fox, speechless.

"Snowie." Naomi finally speaks up. "That's a bad word. We don't use that language."

"But everyone else uses it!" Snowie lashes both her tails.

"I don't-" Nova speaks up.

"Neither do I." Saisho says after her.

"See?" Naomi sighs. "We don't use that language, Snowie."

"Is this conversation even important?" I speak up finally. "We need to figure out how to save my sister."

Everyone looks at me as soon as I say this. The room falls silent again. As they watch, I notice Ikimono, Naomi, and Allisa each cross their arms. Nova sits down in a chair with Saisho behind her, holding her back as he watches. Soveliss walks over to an open space as he summons his staff.

"Right. Your sister is in more danger than we thought. We need to come up with a plan to find her, secure her safely, rid her of Corruption, and then get you all home to the Normal." Soveliss speaks carefully. His eyes scan the group before they fall upon Ikimono and Naomi. "Could you two please check the power room? I need to see what we have in stock for enhancements."