Platinum Skies (The Manifests Series #2)

[33] The Secret Project

"Magnetism."

Mina muttered as she finally finished telling her story.

"Magnetism is the ability contained within my own Manifest. I knew it when I fought Platina, but I only discovered it in-depth when I was held captive. And by that time, I discovered alot about the invasion, and Platina's own plans."

"Plans, hmm? I've been hearing that she had a secret project or something. Do you know what it is?" Zeke asked.

"Yeah. And its related to us wielders and our Manifests. Specifically, for us."

"What do you mean? Please explain, if it's alright."

"Well, when I was there at one of those facilities... we---"

Mina suddenly fell silent for a short while, and hugs her arms tightly. She then shivers.

Mental images flashed onto her mind.

Scenes of bodies on the metal ground.

People being contained in newly built glass boxes that served as their jail cells.

Sounds of wailing and crying.

Mina continues to shiver in fright.

Zeke realizes that she wasn't comfortable in continuing her story. She has been through alot, after all. Its not impossible that she has been into unspeakable trauma from being a captive.

"...it's okay if you dont want to talk about it further." Zeke muttered in worry. "You dont have to force yourself to tell us more. Especially the hard parts."

Mina looks at Zeke and Hangyeol, and then looks down.

"...I'm sorry." Mina muttered as she continues to hug herself tightly. "Things have been hard for quite some time now. I..."

"No need to explain, Mina. It's okay." Zeke replied. "Perhaps you should get some rest now?"

"...I couldnt sleep anymore." Mina replied. "My body... is just too restless."

"Then we'll sit here in silence with you, if that's your jive. We'll be quiet."

Suddenly, Mina and Zeke hear a very obnoxious sipping noise. They look and see Hangyeol aggressively sipping the hot chocolate Mina gave him.

"Not even 5 seconds of me saying be quiet and yo---"

"I was just kidding. It was just so awkwardly quiet, you know?! I mean, this..." Hangyeol trailed off as sips his drink more obnoxiously than before, "..is better than dead silence, any day of the week, am I right, am I right?!"

Mina snorts suddenly and then giggles a bit.

"Yeah, Mina-ssi agrees! See?" Hangyeol repeats his aggressive sipping, this time with his eyes wide open.

"Ugh..." Zeke holds his palm on his face and started to chuckle as well.

Mina exhales in a way that makes both Zeke and Hangyeol realize that she has calmed down a bit. She was quite relieved that these are the people that Jihyo and Sana ended up with---kind, light-hearted people who can be stalwart and persevering in fulfilling their goals.

She knows they could be trusted. She may have fears, but here, she's safe.

Mina relaxes her whole body, and she lowers her arms. She then speaks in a calm manner once more.

"...I'll continue the story later this morning." She said. "I mean, if I were to tell what happened to me, its best that everyone should be present."

"Again, would it be okay for you?" Zeke asked.