C0NV3RG3 (Sequel to M3RG3)

Chapter 22

Friday

This wasn't a good idea. I shouldn't do this.

No, I had to. I couldn't leave Magnus, Kyle, hanging.

But what if...

No. I had to do this. I raised my fist, knocking on his door thrice.

"What?" Almost instantly, Magnus opened the door, his expression flickering between curiosity and irritation. "Oh, it's you."

The distaste in his tone was another jab at my old wounds. I pressed my lips together. "They told me you would be here."

"Well, why did you want to find me?" He asked, his voice all too familiar. "Is it about the simulation?"

"I-" No, I couldn't do this. I dived into the depthless waves, letting myself sink to oblivion.

"You've got to be kidding me," Natasha huffed, crossing her arms across her chest.

"What? Oh." Magnus nodded in understanding. "It happens."

"Arista," Natasha sang. "Come back out."

The sea roared and spat me out. Hundreds of needles were prickling on my skin, and I gasped, bending on my stomach. Phasing. Even now, the feeling was never pleasant.

"What? How?" Magnus stared at me, now astounded. "Did you just-"

"Yeah," I wheezed. "Never feels good when you're on the receiving end."

"So why did you come find me?" He pressed. "Just to show me what phasing looks like? If that's the reason, you can happily leave, because I've experienced that way too many times to count."

It was so easy. To lie to his face, to let him believe what he wanted to believe. But that was what I did before, and it didn't end well. "Many reasons," I replied, staring at the vanity nailed to the side of the wall.

"Does it include the simulation glitch?" He asked.

Be honest. Lyla chastised. "Yeah," I whispered.

"Phasing?" He continued.

"Not really," I replied, my eyes glued to my jeans.

"Look, anyone with half a brain would know that the simulation didn't really glitch." He let out a half-hearted laugh. "What was it though?"

"It was-" I wasn't ready. "A-"

It was so tempting. To dive back in there, sink into depthless obsidian.

Friends don't hide from friends. He deserves the truth. Lyla insisted, reeling me back until I slammed against a concrete wall. Then, it was over. I blinked. Everything was so vibrant, so bright.

"A what?"

"A hallucination," I forced out. My hands were shaking. The tide swirled dangerously under my feet. I forced in another rattling breath. I was in control.

"Of?" He pressed.

"My-" Knife. Gleaming quicksilver. Crimson. Emerald eyes. "My past."

Magnus sucked in his breath. "All of that was real?"

"Not the Caelan bit," I admitted. "That was just me."

"Why didn't you see a therapist?" There was no suspicion or betrayal laced in his tone. Just concern. "You look like you need serious help."

"I can't," I whispered. "Don't you get it?"

"That was..." His eyes widened in shock. "The Republican Daily said that the Revolution bombed one of the Affluent houses."