Riven

I stood up from the sofa and stuck my right heel into the floor in front of me before leaning forward, stretching my hamstring for a few seconds. I repeated it with my other heel. As June left the kitchen, I did a few more similar stretches before straightening and walking over to grab her pen and write a note. 

Once I finished the note, I read it over once more, nodded to myself, and put it in my pocket.

Considering the fact that we were about to permanently leave our old lives behind, I was in a pretty good mood. Luneth bringing up Livia was probably one of the best things she could’ve done to motivate me. It reminded me of whom I was fighting for most. 

Also, a strange thing had happened to me during that. All I knew for sure was that there was a voice that sounded strangely like me in my head, but it just insulted me over and over again. Some kind of alter ego, maybe? I didn’t know. 

I rubbed my face and let out a light sigh before walking to the front door, where I found Luneth, arms crossed, leaning against the wall next to it. Her fingers lightly drummed against her arm, but not impatiently… thoughtful, maybe?

I nodded and joined her at the door. She didn’t ask me about the note, and I appreciated that more than she probably realized.

She let out a soft breath and looked me in the eye. “You used to stretch just like that before each of your Assignments.” She paused. “You know, back when we… still knew each other.”

I gave her a small smile. “This isn’t so different, right? Life or death. Only difference now is that we’re a group.”

She tilted her head. “Yeah. It’s strange to have people to rely on.”

Footsteps ended our conversation. Zerick, fully suited up in his black armor and helmet, and June came toward us. A very visible crack was still on the face of his helmet.

I rubbed the back of my neck when I noticed it. “Sorry. Is that gonna be a problem?”

A voice came out of the helmet, the same robotic one as all the operatives, but with a slight, clear human voice layered under it. “It’ll be fine. I’ll figure something out.”

June elbowed him, clearly skeptical. “Zerick… I’m worried about you.”

I couldn’t see his expression, but, judging by the slight drop in his shoulders, I guessed she hit a nerve. His tone didn’t change, but something in the way he stood felt… resigned, maybe?

After a brief pause, he looked at June and shrugged. “Don’t be.”

She pursed her lips but didn’t press any further. 

Zerick continued to look at her for a few seconds before turning back to Luneth and me. “Assuming you’re both ready?”

We nodded simultaneously.

“Great. Let’s get to it.” The friendly words didn’t quite fit the robotic voice, but I decided it was best if I got used to it.

He walked over to the front door and opened it before we followed him outside. I grabbed and put on my dark jacket, and June turned off the lights one last time before shutting the door behind her. 

The sky was still lightly illuminated by the sunset, but the light was going to completely fade in just a few minutes. 

We remained silent as Zerick led the way toward the northern forest. We pathed through the town, occasionally taking a turn in a direction away from the forest to avoid potential patrols. 

Eventually, a house came up in the distance to our right.

But it wasn’t just any house. It was mine.

Zerick raised a hand, prompting us to stop. We all froze, a tension filling the air between us.

He looked directly at my house and stated, “There’s someone on your front porch, Riven.”

Of course he knows where I live. “An operative?” I whispered, but I already knew the answer.

He shook his head and leaned forward, trying to get a closer look. “Male, silver hair, older…”

My father.

“It’s your dad,” Luneth said softly.

Of course it was. My father had a habit of sitting on the front porch when he needed time to think, and I had a feeling I knew exactly what he was thinking about.

I straightened and looked at the group. “I need to talk to him. Do you all mind waiting for a couple of minutes before continuing?”

Zerick shook his head. “We’re already running a bit behind on our timing. If we wait-.”

June cut him off with a sharp tone. “Go. Make it quick.”

I mouthed thank you before jogging towards my father as Zerick and June argued quietly.

Eventually, I could see him clearly. He was sitting on a rocking chair with his arms crossed while staring into the sky. He wore a simple white shirt and black pants, which was a common outfit of his.

His gaze was distant, like he had been zoned out for a couple of minutes, but his face was strangely peaceful. As I got closer, I noticed a deep bruise on the side of his neck. One that I had never seen before.

After a few seconds of walking toward him, his eyes suddenly gained focus and locked onto me.

A look of familiarity crossed his eyes before disappearing permanently. He stared at me for a few seconds. “You shouldn’t be out so late.” His tone was soft, yet something about it unnerved me.

I rubbed the back of my neck and took a few steps closer to him. I was now at the bottom of the steps of the porch. “You’re not going to ask me any questions?”

He shifted slightly, the chair creaking. “When it comes to being out late at night, who am I to question a random kid?”

My breath stopped, my body froze. I could feel my own pulse thudding throughout my body.

Random kid.

Something in me snapped.

And suddenly, I laughed.

Of course! 

I straightened and used a hand to cover my bitter smile. 

How stupid of me!

It was funny. Hilarious, even.

It was also the cruelest thing I had ever felt.

I looked at the man in front of me. The man who had raised my sister and me alone for years. The man who had always been there for me when I had nobody else. The man who was the only family I had left.

It was truly a pity!

A pity indeed!

I let the hand covering my mouth fall back down and nodded to the man with the same silver hair I had. “Yes, how foolish of me! I will go home at once, sir!” I bowed dramatically and headed on my way toward the northern forest. 

As I walked, I reached my hand into my pocket and pulled out the note I had written for him. I had reread it five times. I had folded it twice.  I’d thought maybe, just maybe, he would read it and understand everything. I stared at it for a few more seconds, the words blurring… and tore it in half. 

Then again.

Then again.

Then again.

Ah, how satisfying it felt to destroy something.

I laughed.

Because, if I hadn’t, I would’ve started screaming instead.

Within a minute, the group had caught up with me.

We walked silently for a few minutes before Luneth broke the silence. “Riven, are you okay?”

I tilted my head and smiled. “No.”

“Do you want to tell us what happened?”

“Echo.”

Zerick stumbled, June catching his arm. 

Luneth nodded. “I see.”

I wanted to laugh again. I can see too!

I frowned as I noticed the final bits of light from the sunset disappear. 

Nevermind.

Zerick then told us to pick up the pace, which we did. The houses began to spread out more and more, and then we were out of the town, following the path into the northern forest.

Zerick had told us during the briefing that this would be one of the most dangerous parts since there was very little cover to hide behind until we entered the forest, so it was important to go as fast as possible. Although it was also important to maintain our stamina to quickly navigate the maintenance shaft.

We all got into a steady, fast rhythm of walking before Luneth suddenly froze. The rest of us stopped as well.

She quickly started moving again, so we did as well. “We’re being watched. An operative, south… behind us.”

Zerick spoke up. “How can you tell?”

“I heard it.”

A lie, which I knew only because she had told me her Frequency. Being able to sense Frequencies was a useful ability indeed. Luneth didn’t quite trust Zerick yet, which was probably for the best.

“So, what do we do?” June asked.

Zerick looked back and shrugged. “We pray.”