Reverie [The Distortionist x reader]

Chapter 15

(Art by CaramelCraze on DeviantArt)

Play my games and abide my ways

There's no way you can compensate

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"...And that's how you protect yourself from the reality called Mother," Stia finishes.

"I think I've been there before. I was saved by someone whose face I never saw," I said. "It was quite mysterious, to be honest. I think it was in chapter 8."

"...What?"

"Huh?"

"Well, never mind." She shrugs. "Most of the things you need to do in your Hub are by instinct, and guided by your reflection. You have one, correct?"

"Ah, yeah! They're very helpful."

"Just... Be careful, alright? You might find out something you don't want to." She draws her cigarette to her mouth and breathes in, then she lets out the smoke. It billows out the open window.

"..." It would be really hard for you to ignore new information. All you do is roll open your own window for the rest of the smoke retained to leave. "Anyway, tell me - how do you know about Bella?"

"Because of hallucinations. They can be quite telling, and they're always hiding a truth from real life, even if they hide their own secrets and misleading information."

"Hm... Okay. But why do you want to know about Bella?"

"I work for Father, who is, in the most simple explanation, God," she explains. "He wants everyone to abide by His rules. I am one of His subordinates, so I snuff out criminals, and there's a high chance Bella is disturbing the peace in some way. I'm still young and not entrusted with many powers, so I must use resources from this world, such as you, to find out what's happening and punish them."

"What punishment would you use in this situation?"

"Social ostracization is quite effective, I've heard," she chuckles. "You writing an article about her would be enough."

"Oh, wow..."

She simply nods with a small smile. "It must be hard to get accustomed to all this information, huh?"

"Forget that, it was strange enough to find out you're a world-hopper!"

She laughs.

"You're not gonna ask how I knew?"

"Your reflection."

"...You're right. You do know this stuff, huh?"

"Actually, they told me themselves. But, we need to talk about Christopher," Stia says, her features settling into a more serious expression, one that fits the mature woman you once thought she was.

"What about him?"

"You're still in contact with him as long as you don't accept your permanent stay in this world. He might still try to... manipulate you. I dislike using such words since I must remain impartial, but I think manipulation is exactly what might happen. Even if he doesn't manifest in hallucinations, he might try to send a message."

You remember the letter. That damned letter. He was definitely trying to communicate with you then. What does he want with you and the mirrors? You'd have to ignore your hunger for knowledge this time and resist entering the mirror. There is no other way. "I'll be careful."

"Good."

The rocking car keeps going on into the silence shared by you two and the cigarette smoke. You'd spoken about many things on the car ride, mainly contemplating information held by either of you. You told her of the Casta Carnival and how you found nothing about Izabella. She, in turn, told you about the technicalities of living with a foot in two worlds. It was an overall productive car ride, though it had to end at some point.