The Chapters

Chapter Twenty-One

"The Author," I repeat. "Is in your head?"

Alexien nods seriously. "She just said 'yo'."

"You - you're kidding, right? You're just dicking around?"

"No, I'm completely serious. It's -" She hesitates. "It's a long story."

"The Author," I say again. This is completely unbelievable. "So all those Death Towers that were looking for me were actually looking for you?"

Alexien holds up her hands defensively. "Hey, I don't know, I'm just telling you this now."

"And why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"You really think it's something that's brought up in everyday conversation?"

"That doesn't matter!" I'm yelling now, my voice probably going through the metal door. "The Author write the story, they know what happens, and you're telling me they didn't try to stop what just happened?"

Alexien's face takes on a hint of panic. "Look, Mica, it isn't that simple -"

"Hell if it is! Over a hundred people are dead!"

Holy shit.

No, it's just shit. Full of shit. This is un-fucking-believable.

Who knows if she's even telling the truth? Maybe this is just a messed up idea of a joke.

"I am telling the truth, Reader," Alexien says suddenly. "Look, it's really more complicated and conditional than it seems."

I gape at the extra. "You can see the Reader?"

"No, I can hear the Author, who can see the Reader's writing. Some versions of it, anyway." She runs the back of her head. "I wouldn't even be in this mess if there weren't things to clean up."

"What the fuck." I bury my head in my hands and lean against the wall. "What the fuck is going on?"

There's a long silence while my head spins.

"Do you want to talk to her?" Alexien finally asks.

"The Author?"

"I'd need a paper and pen."

Do I want to talk to the Author? I don't know. I don't know anything anymore. Since the mountain, has the Author been following me, or even before that, right from the prologue? Or even before that? I don't know. Do I want to know?

_______________

I pick a pad of paper from the few strapped to the wall next to the doors. "I need this."

Amias and Ivo both have their backs to me. Zahara is avoiding my eyes and Lia has that analytic look of hers. The others are just staring. No one makes any sound of protest.

I nod at them and leave. I have to get a pen from my drawer now.

Mica, are you sure about this?

You were wrong, Fangirl.

About Alexien being an Omega? Yeah, I know. Somehow, this is worse.

I need some answers. I need to know what the hell is going on.

Yes, but

But what? You can't even write what else I can do. There's nothing else I can do.

Dammit. Is this the way the story's controlled? By giving me no other option?