Bend It Till It Breaks(Original)

3. But It Burned In One

There is something that has been happening in Rhodes Island recently.

Ever since Earthquake had become an Operator, she was approached by many different people throughout the land ship.

From other Operators, to the kitchen staff.

They would come up to the girl and ask to simply talk with her. No strings attached.

And they did.

They would confide in her about their deepest insecurities, and fears.

Even some of the horrible things they've seen, or done.

They would tell her things they would never dream of telling their therapists, which were professionally trained.

Earthquake would remain quiet throughout the conversation, making it quite one-sided.

Whenever each person was done talking, they would thank her for listening, and then leave without telling her why they had chosen to talk to HER of all people.

Now, her files were public for anyone to view, to a certain extent of confidentiality. Everyone knew about her Infection, and the effect it was having on her memory.

So whenever she asked why they confided in her, their answer was always the same, but told in different ways.

She never remembered what that reason was.

-

"Why do you think they go to her for their troubles?"

"...."

"Doctor?"

"....you don't know?"

"I don't."

"It's quite simple really."

There was a beat.

"It's because they know she won't remember what they said. She won't be able to tell anyone else what she heard."

-

The ones who came to her the most were the Ursus students of Chernobog.

Even their leader, Zima, had talked to her once.

She didn't remember it happening, nor the conversation, of course.

But now, whenever she sees her, she can feel unseen anger from her.

She didn't know where it came from. She knew nothing about this girl but she could feel deep in her heart, that she was angry about something important.

She felt many emotions from the Ursus group whenever she saw them.

For Leto, she could feel loneliness.(fear)

For Gummy, she could feel trepidation.(hunger)

For Istina, she could feel guilt.(anger)

For Rosa.....

It was a lot.

Sadness. Depression. Guilt. Worthlessness. Shame. Fear. Loneliness.

Pride.

Death.

Every time she looked at Rosa, even if she didn't remember each time she did, she felt such overwhelming emotions from this girl that she knew nothing about.

She's heard all their stories.

She's listened to all their trauma.

She's forgotten them all.

———————————————————————

Earthquake was sitting up on her bed, staring at the blank wall. Her eyes were glazed over, and she was slowly rocking back and forth in a type of trance.