F.E.A.R

Chapter V

Song) Sign of Times [Harry Styles]

A/N- Back to present

<Present>

I slammed the door, heading straight to bed and threw myself onto the mattress. Tears came out of my eyes and the only thing I could see was red frustration. It felt like the road to achieving our goal was becoming harder every day and I couldn't help but remember my mother in moments like these. A knock echoed, I was tired and all I wanted to do was cry.

"Eleven... Its Apollo" he spoke in a soft voice, I got up from my bed, wiping the tears from my cheeks. I grabbed the door handle but hesitated to open the door.

I'm so damn weak...

"C'mon Piper, let me help you" I slowly rotated the handle and opened the door. There he was, before me, for a moment I only stared at him but then the hold on my emotions escaped my hand and I felt a burst of sadness. I instinctively moved towards him, my arms wrapped around his waist and leaned on him going into a fit of tears but he didn't move. Instead, his hand brushed my hair reassuringly and held me close to his chest. 

However, I pushed him away, I can't do this. I can't bring myself to cry for another person in my life. "Piper..."

"Sorry to have worried you but I'm fine now" Once again, I wiped the tears off my cheeks and composed myself. "Apollo?" Chance's voice echoed the empty hall.

"I guess you need to go now..." I started closing the door "Piper-" Whatever he was about to say was cut off and the door clicked shut. 

I slid down the door and sat down on the floor, what the hell? I put my hands over my face and let out a shaky sigh. When was I going to get better? I'm bringing everyone down because of my lack of skills. I pushed myself off the floor and changed into my practice uniform. 

I have to get better, I have to get better, I have to BE better. 

I shoved my arms inside my black hoodie and put on my black shorts. I'm so tired of not being my best, many people have already died because of me, I shouldn't even be alive at this point but I am. I put on my boots and exited my room walking fast down to the pit where the layers* were. 

I looked around, no one was here, great, just what I needed. I grabbed a bow and a bag of arrows and went to the end of the room. I placed the arrow and pulled back on the bow. 

One-Two- 

"You shouldn't be overworking yourself ma'am" I wouldn't lie if I said I didn't scream, I turned around and saw the AI. I sighed and I placed the bow and arrow on the floor and sat down. "How many times have I told you not to scare me like that Aiden?"

"I apologize," he said in a cool tone, I pushed loose hair away from my face and looked at him "Aren't you not supposed to be working? Tridon said that the software was down"

"Yes but the augs ability to show me still is available. he put up a different structure to work just in case. That's why I'm able to be here" I nodded 

"Also, I'm not overworking myself " I crossed my legs "I'm just... working out, that's all" I said that but I knew it wasn't true.

"Piper, if that were really true then you wouldn't look so stressed" I got up and grabbed the bow and arrow once again "If that's true then help me get a release"

I narrowed my gaze at the target and shot the arrow.

Bullseye.

"I will activate practice mode then" I put on the glasses, Aiden changed my surroundings "Let's do this then"