“I-I… Imya… I don’t want to see you hurt.” Tears welled up in Itsuki’s eyes. “Imya, I know you say those insults don’t hurt. But, I know that isn’t true.”

Imya looked away. “You know what? It does hurt. I’ve never told anyone except Christian this but… Heh… Nevermind.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I-It’s nothing much!” Imya chuckled nervously, “Nevermind.”

“Imya… Why are you scared to tell me? How bad was it?”

“It’s nothing…”

Itsuki looked away. She hung up, not responding to Imya. “She’s so secretive, I just- I need her to be able to trust me.”

Serafina nodded. “Yeah, but she’s sure to get the wrong idea since you hung up on her.”

Imya went through the rest of the school day with her head down. “What did I do wrong? She… She probably just needs some time to herself. Right?”

When she returned home, she hugged Christian tightly. “Today was the worst day ever… Itsuki… I think she might not like me anymore.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know anymore…”

“Hey, it’s okay. She probably just needs some space.”

Imya looked away. “Yeah, I guess.”

Christian looked away, “Hey, Imya, Mom told me to ask this. Do you consider me a brother?”

“Not at all. I barely consider myself part of this family.” Imya smiled. “I’m more of a close family friend who happens to live here.” She looked away. “I… I wasn’t supposed to tell you this, but my biological mother is friends with yours, and she asked your mom to take care of me until she was released from prison.”

“What did she do?”

“Eh, just stole something and went to jail for five years when I was twelve. She should be released in…” She paused. “I would say about four months.”

“Okay. Then we can be together?”

“Yeah. You’ve been so supportive for the last three years.”

“We both know that’s not true. But, well, Dad made me do all those horrible things…” Christian kissed Imya on top of the head. “I’m sorry.”

“Apology accepted.”

Christian looked away.

Imya sighed, “I should go visit Itsuki… I just…”

“Go. She might need you more than I do.” Christian smiled. “I’ll be fine.” He kissed Imya on top of the head.

“Okay.” Imya hurried out of the house. She threw herself into her car and began driving, not caring to put on a seatbelt. When she arrived at the ferry station, she rushed past the line. A guard stopped her.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“I need to go to Site 19, it’s an emergency.”

“Whatever it is, it can wait.”

“Thanks.” Imya rushed past the guard. Just as the ferry began moving forward, Imya jumped onto the back and held on tightly. She felt the cool March breeze blow through her hair, making her braid flow in the wind.

When the ferry docked at Duke Island, Imya began carefully stepping across the back of the boat to the dock. A nearby passenger held out his hand. “Here. I can tell you came here for an emergency, because you don’t choose to go on the next ferry here for fun.” He helped Imya onto the dock. “I’m Stanley, but you can just call me Stan. What are you coming here for anyways?”

“My girlfriend. She’s a contained Keter at Site 19.” Imya smiled. “I’m Imya.”

“Ouch. That name must be quite memorable. I’m here for work.”

Natsumi stepped off the ferry, Callie behind her. Imya waved at them. “Hi, guys!”

Natsumi glanced over at Imya. “Hi, Imya! Visiting Itsuki?”

“Yeah.” Imya went through Gate A with Natsumi and Callie. They headed their separate ways, Imya going to the Heavy Containment Zone and Natsumi and Callie going to the Light Containment Zone.

Imya knocked on Itsuki’s containment chamber door. Itsuki stood up and opened the door. “I-Imya?”

Imya smiled. “Hi, Itsuki. So, about today, I’m sorry, I-“

Itsuki hugged Imya tightly. “I’m so sorry I hung up on you.”

“Hey, it’s okay.”

Itsuki looked up into Imya’s eyes. Blushing, she looked away. “Imya, I-“ She hesitated. “I’ve had a tough day today; can you please sleep with me tonight?”

Imya smiled. “Of course.” She chuckled nervously, “I might want to warn you in advance; I sleep naked.”

Itsuki’s face turned red. “It’s fine with me. But don’t do anything sexual, okay?”

“Okay. Why did you ask me?”

Itsuki looked away. “I mean, I don’t like you or anything! I just… I don’t want to be alone tonight.”

“Haha! Whatever you need to tell yourself.” Imya took out her phone. “I just have to tell Sarah.” She texted to Sarah, “I’m staying the night at SCP Site 19. I promise I won’t start any fights. I’ll only finish them.”

Sarah immediately texted back, “Okay. I’ll let Christian know.” She turned towards Christian. “Imya’s staying the night at Site 19.”

“Okay.”

“Will you be okay? You sometimes get kind of emotional when she’s not around.”

Christian’s face turned red. “What? No, I don’t!” He looked away. “I guess… Maybe a little… I just don’t want her getting hurt…”

“Called it.”

Back at Site 19, Itsuki hugged Imya tightly. “It’s almost 5:30 PM. That’s when dinner gets served. I can get us a seat with the administrators. Their food is great.”