Paige Flip

Chapter 6: Typhon

July 8th, 2016. It was during summer break in which these events unfolded. On this unusually cold and cruel day, bestowed upon me these powers. Shivering snow from a vengeful storm. No one knew why this was happening. Atop a broadcasting tower is where you'd find me, sketching, pondering about my next shoe project with my friends? Or maybe thinking about Liz?

Those days were so simple, yet reminiscing can be so unforgiving. A little metal box with windows is what I can describe this place as. I had access to it because of my meteorology class. The temperatures outside were concerning but the box had a heating ventilation system so I was fine. I found comfort on my own in there.

It was rather dark with my only light source being the dim lightbulb hanging from the top of the room. I didn't need to worry about lights. I don't know how a metal box on a broadcasting tower during a storm could be a good idea but I was already up there and the dangers of what was about to happen never crossed my mind.

Blue, then red, then yellow, then orange. Everything was shaking, all of a sudden I'm freezing. I can't move and every nerve in my body is exhausted to its limit. The loud crash of thunder felt like the roar of 1.000 lions. Blood gushing throughout my body as my heart sped up even more. No human being should be able to experience this. I could feel every proton attracted to every electron coursing like raindrops all around me. My eyes still flashing colors until they weren't. The noise stopped. My heart stopped.

But I got up. I couldn't see, nor hear, but I got up. I could sense the energy in every atom inside this box. Was I even alive? No, no. I have never been MORE alive. Every second divided into milliseconds, divided into nanosecond. Time was no longer a concept for me. Nothing was a concept. Why am I even thinking when I could be moving? 100 years. 100 years is what it felt like, sensing everything around me to an atomic level, not stopping to breath, I kept running. Had I gone crazy?

Silence. Total emptiness. This surreal experience returns to me every year on this day. Taunting me. I woke up, just fine. My mental state unscathed. Yet on this day, I remain a lunatic trapped in a metal box 250 feet suspended in constant movement.

These episodes haunt me. I go about my day normally, but that isn't me. When I woke up, I was back in bed. July 9th, 2024.

I woke up to Ren. Not the most pleasing sight after the trauma of a millennia. "I should explain that day, huh." He was sitting cross legged, "It's a miracle you're still sane. 100 years for every 100 nanosecond of a day's worth of torture. You're welcome." He said. "You're welcome? What have you done for me?" 8 years of this nightmare still hasn't taken a toll on me, even I can't explain that. "But I can." "You can read my mind too?" Unsurprising, "This is your subconscious, there aren't thoughts but only statements." He explained. "And how can you explain how none of these episodes have affected me, despite waking up to a damp pillow covered in tears." I asked, tiring of this cycle. "As an incarnate, I'm given an opportunity to come back, only when I'm needed. Circumstances are provided for me to enter my vessel, being the strongest of wills." He said. "How many vessels have you had? I am no stronger than man can be." Unfaithful to my own power. "Yet you still stand mortal. I'm given the mental capacity of my vessel, I bear what you cannot. Not because you are unable to, but as a price of my deeds. When you go through the trauma of me entering your body on that day, I am the one who remembers every excruciating second of it. You're welcome." A being infinite with a mission sole. "Our timeline is written and our souls are bonded. I'm reborn as myself, while only your soul is carried on. With each cycle, you only get stronger. You only get more tainted." Ren says.

"We shall become one, but it's too soon. When you have experienced true loss, may we stay interlinked."

Birds are chirping, "PAIGE, I MADE BREAKFAST." I can hear Enji yell from the kitchen. Sometimes I feel a normal life is so close yet so far.

"I studied the information about your movements, the move you did on the roof that day is product of adrenaline. Get yourself all riled up and it'll happen on its own." Enji said. "Thanks bro. By the way, did you talk to the tenant about the no pets thing?" I asked while munching on my eggs. "He said if we can make sure it's hair doesn't get everywhere then it's fine." "A SPHINX." We both exclaimed at the same time. "I think Liz has ties to an adoption center, I'll hit her up and check it out." I said as I finished up.

I've always loved cats, I had one when I was 6 but It ran away. I haven't had any pets after that.

I called Liz and she agreed to take me to the adoption center on the condition that I got her ice cream after, sounds like a fair trade to me. I got ready and put on my jacket. It wasn't that cold but I brought it just in case.

Once we got there, we went in and talked to the lady out front. "Do you happen to have any sphinx cats up for adoption?" I asked. "Yes actually we do. We have a kitten named Cleo who's been waiting to be adopted since last month." The lady said. "But before that I have to ask a couple of questions, just to make sure you're fit to adopt a kitten."

"First of all, how long have you two been dating?", "We're no-" Liz cut me off "About 4 months." She had the biggest smirk on her face. "And have you had any pets before?" Liz answered all the questions because I was too shocked to say anything. Why'd she say that? Is that her way of asking me out?

"Come right this way please." The lady said as we went to the back. She brought out the most adorable sphinx kitty with a little black spot on her ear. "Just sign here and she's yours." We brought Cleo back home and Enji was ecstatic. Enji and Liz also finally met and they got along pretty well. We set up her litter box and poured her some food.

"Could we talk, Liz?" I said, still a bit flustered. "Of course, about what?" "Why'd you tell the lady back at the adoption center we were dating?.." I asked. "Oh I'm sorry, I just thought it might've helped. Did it bother you?" She's so clueless yet so thoughtful. "No no of course not. I never asked but are you seeing anyone at the moment?" I was hoping not. "Nope, my last boyfriend cheated on me and I haven't gotten with anyone since." She said obviously displeased about the thought of her ex. "I'm sorry that happened to you, hope you find someone soon." I said trying to comfort her. "Me to-" "PAIGE, THE CAT JUST MEOWED." Enji still as excited as ever about the cat.

I bought Liz ice cream and we talked for a bit before I dropped her off at her house. "You know I liked you back in high school right?" I asked her teasingly. "Oh shut up Paige, I was the one who had a crush on you." She said. "Wait what? Why didn't you say anything?" She liked me??

"I thought I could never compete with all the other girls, especially Wem." "Wem was never my type anyways. We could've been something" I said. "Who's to say we still can't be?" Liz said under her breath. "Goodnight Paige."

How can someone be so perfect.

*Bzzt* "Enji: COME BACK IT'S PURRING ON MY LAP"

Tomorrow's another day.