BANE: avenge

Chapter 6

I sprint towards the house, Pippin linger-making & making me get even more furious at him.

I should have known this was just brewing to happen.

Now Hermes & his parents are going to see me like this..

They were not supposed to know. They knew I had a prosthesis, but I doubt they imagined the extent of it & how visible it truly is.

No doubt they will be utterly disgusted at it.

Then, there is the trouble of my garments! Oh dear...

I reach the back door & open it, my heart burst-making inside.

I run to the parlour & open the door, walking in.

I see poor Aunt Ana & Elle doing their best to entertain Hermes & his parents.

I realise they are all stare-making at me in confusion, & then I watch as it melts into horror, the teacup that was half-way to Hermes's mouth dropp making as he takes it in. His mother's jaw wide open. His father attempt-making to be inexpressive, but reveal-doing the disgust contained in him. I knew it. They would never accept me this way.

" Gadaranine? Is that truly you?" Hermes whimpers.

Hermes & his parents stare at my face in horror, their eyes travel-making all over me, judge-doing my features & dress.

His mother bursts into nervous laughter.

" Child! Come, come. What is the meaning of this jest?" she titters with laughter.

My IEMP drops. A jest? Then, it comes to me. A photon globe flickers on in my Cerebral Hemispheres. perchance I could act like this is all just a trick...

" Yes, yes, take off the mask, dear!"

I look to Elle & Aunt Ana for help.

Elle looks just as horrified as Hermes & his family.

So much for having a love-feeling and accept-doing sister.

Aunt Ana sees my despair, quickly rises & comes up to me, escort-making me out of the parlour.

She closes the door behind us & rushes me to the lab, mutter-making all the while & wring-doing her hands.

" You poor child, it's not her fault, the poor thing..." & things much alike to that.

We got to the lab & I hesitate.

Pippin did have a point. They were bound to see me this way eventually, anyways.

Aunt Ana notices my hesitation.

" Are you not going to go in, dear?"

" Auntie... I had a thought. Were they not going to see me this way anyways? Why hide it anymore?"

She pauses, letting the idea roll around as she considers it.

" That is true..."

I smile hopefully. She turns to me concernedly, her delicate, fair brows that remind me of Pippin's furrow making.

" Are you sure you want to do this, Ara?"

I hesitate again, but then I make a decision.

" Yes. I am absolutely sure."

She grimaces, but accepts the decision.

" At least change your dress?" she asks hopefully.

" Yeah, that, I ought to do."