Monster Like You

Chapter 9

An hour later, I slammed the locker door, which now contained my clothes, and caught Kiaran's gaze in the reflection of the small mirror. He was standing a few steps away, still frowning with displeasure. His face clearly showed his intention to make a last attempt to dissuade me, but my friend was silent for the time being, not knowing where to start.

"Do you have a big family?" I asked without turning around, continuing to look at him in the reflection.

The determination on Kiaran's face was replaced by surprise, his eyebrows shot up to his bangs.

"Why do you ask?"

"I have almost no one left," I explained, awkwardly crossing my arms over my chest and still turning around.

In a long, spacious robe, under which there was not even underwear, I did not feel very comfortable, although the coarse, dense fabric perfectly protected me from any views. For some reason, the rules of participation in rituals required such a vestment. I don't know if it really has something to do with the movement of energy flows or if magicians just like to put us in an awkward position.

"I'm a late child. And the only one. My father died a year and a half ago. Mom recently had to settle in a Care Home because she needs constant help. She gradually fades away and does not always recognize me when I visit. None of the parents had any brothers, sisters, or other marriages, so there are no aunts, uncles, cousins, or step-relatives."

Kiaran nodded with understanding, thrusting his hands into the pockets of his uniform trousers and taking a leisurely step forward. In a small locker room with two dozen lockers and one bench in the center, he immediately found himself almost next to me.

"Alyss is not your sister."

"I understand."

"She's not even human..."

"Genetically, no. But does it really matter? If we can suppress the chameleon in her, then what will remain?"

I looked at my friend inquisitively, hoping that he would give the same answer that I came to when I was thinking about the situation. I wanted to believe that my conclusion was logical, and not dictated by emotions.

Kiaran looked away and sighed in annoyance.

"You'll stay. Your memories, personality and character."

"Exactly."

Unlike him, I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Doesn't that scare you?" He caught my eye again. "Does the thought that she is a copy of you not chill your insides? And if the ritual corrects her eyes and makes her indistinguishable? Aren't you afraid that, having gained freedom, Alyss will one day... try to take your place? After all, you want to achieve freedom for her with a ritual?"

"We're not identical anymore," I said. "The last two years have been too different. So different experiences make us different, too."

"Are you sure she can't impersonate you if she wants to?'

"Why?" I shrugged with a smile. "It wouldn't have occurred to me to do that. Why should she?"

"You said it yourself: you are no longer identical."

"I caught him. Okay, if you're so worried, let's come up with some code that only we will know. Password and response."

He chuckled with a wry smile. I realized that I wasn't serious, but I jumped at the offer.

"If one day I doubt you, I will ask: "Where did you get a machete?"

Despite my anxious state - or maybe because of it - I laughed out loud. Once during the investigation, we were attacked by live vines, it is impossible to call it otherwise. I had a machete with me, with which we fought back. Kiaran was struck to the core by this fact.