Niah and the Pheonix (Watty's 2024!)

Chapter XXI: Conan

5 years ago

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I look at Conan, a shocked expression slowly spreading across my face. The beautiful human scenery around me slowly faded from my train of thought, along with the vision of what I could see.

I feel like the world was slowly coming down on me, wondering how someone I had never talked to until today could know the biggest secret of my life. How could he find out?

Before I could get any words out, I felt this sudden pain in my chest. It felt like knives poking into my heart, a feeling I had never had before.

I suddenly fell to the floor, wheezing as I gasped for breath. Conan hurried to sit beside me, as though he knew exactly what was happening.

"Hey, it's okay. Just a deep breath in, then out. Come on, again. Just think positive thoughts, you'll be fine." He says, rubbing his hand on my back.

I obey him, taking a deep breath in and then out. I repeated for a couple minutes, my breath uneasy and quivering, scared. I start to cry a little bit and lean onto Conan, unsure what just happened.

"What was that?" I ask him, barely able to get any words out.

"It was a panic attack. It could have happened because you're stressed, or maybe you have too many secrets to keep up with, or-" I cut him off.

"I know what a panic attack is, thanks," I say with a slight chuckle.

I stay where I am, remembering what's happening. I looked up at Conan, a slightly scared expression flowing across my face. I scurry backwards, practically falling to the ground and hitting my head.

"How did you find out?" I ask, "I thought I did such a great job at hiding this secret."

He looks at me, confused, "Why would you want to keep this a secret? Most of us thought you were some loser who couldn't turn into their special creature yet. N-not me, just... other classmates."

I look at him, changing the subject, "How did you find out?"

"I came to your house one day and saw you as a phoenix. Now, why didn't you tell anyone?"

"That's a lie," I say, "I never change to a phoenix at home, only in rare occasions at secret places."

He looks down at the ground, ashamed, "My mom told me not to tell any one, not even you. Especially not you. But I kind of already have told you, so... eh, what the heck."

He looks up at me as I slowly turn towards him to listen. 

"My mom was talking to your mom one day, and I was eavesdropping on their conversation. My mom said she had suspicions about you being the phoenix. You know, the red hair and all, so she wouldn't stop prying your mom-" I cut him off.

"Please stop calling her mom. She's like a mom to me, but she's just... not her. I love her with all of my heart, it just feels kind of awkward when you call her that, you know?"

"Sorry. Anyways, my mom  wouldn't stop prying your... guardian... for answers. Eventually, she gave in and told my mom everything. When we went home, I asked her all about it. She was mad at me for listening in," 

I whisper under my breath, I would be too.

"But she did admit that it was true." I cut him off before he can say another sentence.

"What?! Not even trying to keep my secret a secret? What a great mom you have!"

He looks away, slightly angry, "Well, at least I have a mom." he says under his breath.