A World Without Colour

04 | solis

"So trade that typical for something colourful,

and if it's crazy, live a little crazy."

–The Other Side, The Greatest Showman

Lia hadn't left her room, since we returned from the Disappearing.

At first, no one questioned it. The freakiest thing I'd ever experienced was watching myself vanish like that. So, it was understandable that she'd need a minute alone.

That minute dragged into three hours. And I was beginning to worry. It was typical of Ophelia to shut herself out when things got tough; however, it didn't feel right to leave her for so long in a place we were unfamiliar with.

"So," Axel kicked at nothing in particular as we walked, "physical contact, illegal, huh?"

"Things got pretty rough over the past year," I explained. It was true. Not every country had the Nightwatcher situation. But as ours did, many people began to resort to abusive behaviour. Pushing people outside after sunset. Many other methods of harm.

The new law fixed nothing. At this point, laws like these were just a way for the government to look like they were doing something useful, when in reality they were very very useless.

"Still," Axel shrugged, "that's intense."

"Agreed," I nodded, then turned my head to get a proper look at him. "Hey, thanks by the way."

Axel looked up, confused.

"For letting us stay here," I continued, "I still don't like you, but it's appreciated."

"The feeling's mutual," he said nonchalantly, "but you're welcome. I mostly didn't want Pia whining for the next few months, if I hadn't let you stay."

"Hey!" Cassiopeia shoved him in the back. She'd been walking behind us in silence for a while, listening to us bicker with a bored look on her face. "At this point, I might just go hang out with Neo, since my own brother seems to hate me so much."

"No, you're not," Axel said firmly, "go talk to Aurora."

"Aurora's probably with Neo."

"Go talk to a book then," he suggested, "not Nereus. He'll brainwash you again."

"I'm not opposed to that."

"Hey," I held a hand up to silence them. "Do you hear that?"

A low muffle was coming from a room a couple of steps ahead. Ophelia's room.

Rushing towards the door, I ignored the other two's questions. It was closed, but there was obviously someone crying in there.

"Lia?" I called, as Axel and Cass ran up towards me, "Lia are you okay? Can I come in?"

She wasn't responding, all that I got was a few short breaths. She was hyperventilating.

"Oh God, she's dying," I whispered in panic, "Lia!" I knocked on the door. I was even considering trying the handle before Cassie shoved me out of the way.

"Ophelia, sweetie," she said in a soft voice, "it's me. Knock on whatever's closest to you twice if you're okay with me coming in."

Two knocks.

"Wait here," Cass said, "don't go in until she says otherwise."

Axel and I shared a look, bonding over the fact that we had no idea how this girl's mind worked––but we were extremely grateful for her quick thinking.