Hesychia easily evaded to the side, jumping away from the door that blasted open.

What's with these violent events? Someone kept an eye on her earlier, the presence was unknown, now another two unknown people wanted her dead. She's willing to die after confirming her family, and friends' death though it seems like death itself already wants her.

Hesychia gripped the hidden knife tighter. She seems unfocused yet her observation keenly predicted the other person's move. Ducking down, Hesychia went to kick for the other person's knees yet the latter was able to jump. Hesychia wanted to see the person's face however chance didn't favor her this time, the person itself pulled her collar slamming her to the nearby shelf inside the dark library. 

Hesychia felt the blow, almost choking on her own spit. It was easy to distinguish that her attackers had incredible strength, not the same as a normal person. Damn these southern people and their strength…

The sun was up however because of the room's position, the tall shelves made the location dim and shadowy. Hesychia was able to lessen the impact, her view completely turning black for a moment because of a sudden change of brightness. Her eyes quickly adjusted, nullifying the other person's attack by the knife.

Seemingly surprised, the other person tried to twist her arm. Hesychia immediately used her backpack, slamming the plates inside onto the person's face.

“Ouch...! What the fuck is inside of that bag?” The voice sounded familiar. The shadow started massaging their cheeks, expressing the pain. Though Hesychia didn't trust the other person, her bandaged hand quickly grabbed the book behind her palm—accurately throwing it again. This action triggered another round of books falling over, completely burying the person into a swarm of books.

The other person groaned but was able to recover shortly. The distraction gave Hesychia a chance to leap and run towards the door at the fastest speed she could muster. However because of being distracted, she forgot the other one looming silently. A hand tackled her to the ground, trapping her head and arms firmly. The other person's free hand grabbed her weapon, spinning the knife before throwing it away. The metal slid far away, the slippery tiles lessening the friction.

“Whatever...” Hesychia whispered under her breath, not resisting.

“I'll open the lights.” One tall figure said, standing up from the group of books that fell over their head. Once the old bulb started flickering, Hesychia reflexively closed her eyes—slowly opening it after feeling used to the surroundings.

“Oh, what a pretty boy we have here.” The figure on top of Hesychia smiled, caressing her face. Hesychia dumbfoundedly stared at the female in front of her. Elara took off her glasses, “It's a normal glass, I wonder what are you wearing this for?”

The person who turned on the light switch slowly approached, “Take off his mask.”

Hesychia's eyes widened, the hand about to take off her mask pausing. “It's you!”

The other woman pointed at herself, “Me? Wha- Miss Stubborn?!”

“Miss wha—” Elara immediately jumped off the other person, “Hesy?! Oh lord, I'm so sorry! Fuck, the tiles are dusty, come on stand up!” Because of impatience, Elara herself carried the other person—not waiting for her to stand up on her own.

“Put me down!”

“You should have talked sooner! Oh no… nooo, I wasn’t controlling my strength… Artie is gonna kill me! For sure!” The latter didn't listen, placing Hesychia down to the cleanest wooden chair. “What's with this get up? If you kept your mouth shut I would've slit your throat, you looked like a man! Your chest is also completely hidden, completely flat, y'know what I mean?”

Elara continued to panic, “We were so worried that another person would approach this room at the time you promised to come back. Does your back hurt?” her eyes landed at the bandages wrapped around Hesychia’s arm, “Anything else- your hand?! What happened to this? Was this the first screening? Did you encounter any minor screenings—”

Hesychia grabbed the hands ruffling the wig, lowering it down. “Shh, shh, your voice is killing my ears. I'll answer all of that later, okay?”

Elara immediately zipped her mouth.

Aris watched the other two. She indeed confirmed that the older person has a different attitude towards people close to her. More lively, her face shows more emotions. If there would be a time for her to take the chance and effort, would she also open a bond of friendship?

Hesychia fixed her collar, placing the messy wig back to its style. The hair almost looked natural as long as the observer won't touch it. The woman gave a glance to her own arm that almost snapped before looking at Elara's back, her eyes turning colder. “Why are you with this... person?”

Elara froze, turning sideways before wiping off the remaining dust on Hesychia's sleeves. “I was the one who found her, and decided to take her on board. Because of this person you're referring to, I was able to confirm that you're alive. Not just that, she also helped me survive a minor screening. Don't be so hostile.”

Hesychia stood up, grabbing the third person's hand.

Aris rigidly looked at their hands, “Wha—”

“Thank you for taking care of Elara,” She immediately walked past her, after the handshake and picked up her bag. “then, we'll be giving the favor back in the future. See you around.”

Aris, “...”

Grabbing the other woman who's speechlessly staring at the unexpected scene unfold, Elara was pulled harshly. “Let's go.”

They were about to reach the door when Elara stopped her from going out, the other woman blocked the exit completely with her body, crossing her arms with raised brows,  “Wait.”

“What?” Hesychia paused, her soles stopping from moving forward.

“Why are you so forceful about avoiding her?”

Hesychia glanced at the third person, silently watching them with an unknown expression. The woman then glanced at her own friend, “She is dangerous.”

Elara paused, remembering how Hesychia was easily thrown away by Aris. Well, of course, for the victim that would be traumatizing.

“You shouldn't befriend people who would be a potential threat someday—”

“All right, that’s not something I appreciate. That was an accident. I didn’t know it was you. Miss Stubborn.” Hearing the word she didn't want to hear, the wavy-haired person swiftly moved. This time, Aris didn't tolerate this kind of behavior and made Hesychia face her. “The name's Aris Armani, may I know yours? You don't even know my name yet I’m being accused.”

Despite knowing her name, Aris gave a serious question; wanting to hear the other person say her own name voluntarily.

Hesychia retreated to a wall, her eyes showing signs of disbelief. “An Armani...?”

Elara’s hands clenched remembering how Hesychia was strongly not in favor of the youngest Armani.

Aris didn't trap Hesychia or anything, the sides were a free route of escape. The other person named Aris silently stood, earnestly watching Hesychia's expression. “Give me a chance to prove myself,” Aris didn't break their eye contact. “that I will not harm you, or anyone close to you. Earlier it was just…”

The latter didn't understand why the other seemed to not welcome her. Of course, doing those things such as guarding the woman for hours when she blacked out, and serving her simple kindness was all voluntary. Aris didn't need the other person to reciprocate it nor pay her back by any means. She didn't expect a reward either. All she wanted to know was:

Why does Hesychia view her as if she's the same as those monsters in the screening?