5 A.M. felt like it came sooner than it should have—as Blue woke up completely beat up from his work shift yesterday—not wanting to accept the fact that he'd have to do it all over again... every day...
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgQQmO2oFf
Or could he really just... not work at that scummy factory ever again?
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZP0zr1lbc
Blue couldn't form a coherent plan in his mind while he laid in his rickety bed, the roughness of it causing him to wake up sore in all the worst places. Since he'd stayed up late from his night shift, his brain fog was even worse than usual. There was apparently an "overabundance" in the demand for a fairly new technology called "holograms". They were scattered over Hemlock already and were larger than ever now compared to a few years ago. Blue was tired of making them, as they always illuminated ludicrous imagery of the general of Hemlock's army but mostly they showed the Deceivers. And not to mention how bright they are, so he opted to wear shades to protect his sensitive eyes.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqZbCGi81A
A quick look at the clock sent a jolt through Blues body, reminding him that he had work earlier than his usual time at 5 A.M., today he started at 4 A.M. Blue was extremely agitated by this, he hadn't gotten the rest he needed in days. He felt dead and drained of his life, but he didn't want his life to be like this, no, it can't be like this! Blue knew that if he just sat around hoping that someday, there'd be someone who'd fix this hell hole, it'd never happen. So he felt it was in his place to do so. Just... he was way too tired to act out his thoughts.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2vXoRlMrV
There wasn't anything to change into because he passed out in his work clothes, but Blue felt he truly wouldn't be going back there again. He rushed to leave in a panic but remembered that he needed to take his medicine. He hurried through the rubbish slum of his room to grab it. All of the living quarters of the areas were scummy compared to the futuristic-like area of the Deceiver's Head Quarters.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusIQQQE8OY
Blue had to get going though, so he decided that he'd just take his medication at his job or on the train which he often used for transportation. The factory, which he worked in, was near the northern housing for residents. Somehow, everyone allowed its name "victim residential's" to slip through their minds on how dystopian it was.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvv7qkmctVk
After Blue gathered some of his things that he usually takes with him everywhere, and didn't want to leave behind, he exited the now vacant apartment. It didn't take him longer than a second of being outside to smell the heavily polluted air, it sickened Blue down to his stomach. His work clothes weren't helping with the immense heat either, he felt nauseated from the overwhelming conditions. Everyone was used to the horrible air quality, and Blue was too but he still didn't accept it as alright for it to be in this state.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStm38QoITh
Trudging through the gray city, which had almost no grass or trees in sight but plenty of holograms and futuristic inventions, Blue's eyes began to strain, he was so tired that he had forgotten to put on his shades. After he adjusted them comfortably on the bridge of his nose, he focused back on catching the train in time.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfXyoPnuSY
There was a clock shining from a screen on a tall building, stating the current date and time: 5:21 A.M., Saturday, October 19th, 2030." Blue didn't dwell too much on it being 4 weeks left until his birthday, but celebrations practically didn't exist here anymore. It was simply another thing from the recent past that had been banned by Hemlock; removed from existence. He could never forget everything that had been banished. Blue brought himself back to reality looking at the time, and realising he had somewhere to be, even if he didn't want to be there.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUpvfKy2W6
Twenty long minutes of struggling to keep moving, he eventually reached the crowded train station.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnYzTSnDa4
Blue had an absolutely disdained look to him as he grumbled under his breath,
"yep.... I'm gonna be even later than I already am..."
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsXypx0J9t
His head began to pound, feeling too tired to move or process his thoughts before getting on the train. He stood there in a daze while other residents pushed by him to get on the train. Blue tried to envision a world where the train was an escape, but in reality, it took him to a place of imprisonment, the factory.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBYXlG5SW2
Someone came along and suddenly pushed him into the train along with them, causing Blue to fall out of his trance, getting slammed into someone else inside the train.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwTOfZJiD6
"Ow!" He groaned whilst trying to keep his balance, but ended up falling backwards onto the ground. He scrambled back up, grabbing onto one of the many poles on the train and lifted himself up before letting out a sigh of relief.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZF9LmT8ddF
After Blue calmed down, his head continued to ache as he took a look at his surroundings: people were staring at him with looks of disgust almost, possibly confusion.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRsl0xEtq5
A child sitting across from Blue looked up to his mom, who looked incredibly worn out, as he pointed at Blue,
"Mommy, why does that man have so many scars?" The boy's mother quickly shushed him and whispered to her son,
"It's not kind to point things out like that about someone."
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFc6IuRQ1Ib
Even more self conscious about his scars now, Blue tried to ignore the stares he was getting. To be fair, he does have genetically blue hair, and lots of scars. He was starting to feel anxious from having not taken his daily dose of Vyvanse yet, but he couldn't take them on the train with everyone staring at him. Blue preferred more solitude, as it put his mind to ease. Meanwhile, the busy area scrambled his mind even more than it already was.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKhHiWwTgg
Blue noticed someone and it caught his attention, a person with striking red hair that reached just to her shoulders. From afar, she looked absolutely perfect in his eyes. He immediately felt irregular feelingstowards her. Blue couldn't look away and suddenly, she moved her gaze to him for a short moment. If The Deceivers could read his mind, he'd be detained on the spot for his ludicrous thoughts.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbPdT1njrN
His mind was so used to pushing these thoughts and feelings away, hiding them in the dark, but Blue was done with pushing away who he truly was: an artist, a lover, a human. The problem is that he absolutely could not say his thoughts at this moment because he's in a crowded space, he'll just have to catch her alone. Maybe, just maybe she would join him in rebelling against Hemlock and finally tear down the government.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQluGqQqlp
While waiting for the train to reach his stop where the factory is located, he thought of how to pass the time. Maybe he could doodle in his journal, or write! Although, that's too risky to do in public. So instead, he sat in silence while trying to avoid looking over at the girl. "Where could she be heading to?" Blue wondered nervously while tapping his foot, staring at the dirty floor of the train which had been covered by the shoes of other passengers.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1aoqMK1cv
With Blue's stop nearing, he felt more knots forming in his chest. Somehow that girl, just by her appearance alone, contributed to the still present nauseating feeling in his stomach. He felt as if he was being assaulted, like that doesn't already happen to him enough. As the train came to a stop Blue looked out the train's windows, noticing it's his stop.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEecyJWWvx
When the doors slid open he scurried out of there and away from the red haired girl. She was standing near the door he exited from, so naturally, she looked at him confused as he hurried out of there. A couple seconds after he left and the doors had shut, the girl listened to what the other passengers were saying about the odd guy, their words being indescribable.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRVN2mI75V
Blue didn't slow his pace as he pushed through crowds of people. He reached the factory, which stood tall and gloomy in the dark of the night coming to an end. Blue took a moment to breathe and calm himself before entering. Once he was in, Blue clocked in for the day and headed for his designated work area.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboErZXcGTD
There at his station was electronic parts towards making the holograms, and he had to put them together to create the final product. He was the last part of creating the holograms and of course it being the most tedious job one could get here due to how high tech and fragile the pieces are. Blue couldn't help but notice the grumbles of annoyance from coworkers who've been waiting for him to come to work for an hour or so.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwDLov2wkq
"What took you so long, dimwit?!"
Said the closest coworker to him who had an annoyed look and the others down the production line were the same.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLfCdedAQq
Blue didn't understand why they don't already have some shitty robot do his job if they care so much about getting it done and over with, or even just filling in for him until he gets to the factory.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwHl7PJcT6
"And why do you care?"
He boastfully said as a come back before turning away from them to do the mundane work of putting parts together. There was an unusual jump in confidence, Blue wasn't sure why; he hasn't taken his medication yet.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYWtKxDZvI
The coworker who spoke growled under his breath before turning away, frustrated at Blue but went back to doing his work too.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhe37I3Elzz
After the conveyor belt was back in smooth motion, Blue reached in his satchel for his vyvanse and placed it on the cleared table in front of him before opening it and proceeding to take double the highest daily dose; two 70mg pills. He heard there was a new Vyvanse, it being in a liquid form which "helps even better" but was considerably venomous and addicting, but Blue couldn't figure out where to get them in the Southern Border.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePHmBqgbXH
His head felt woozy as a rush of adrenaline flowed through it due to taking an overdose. Blue was used to the feelings that occurred within him through taking Vyvanse, but that girl made him want to feel something real again instead of his medicine to "fix" him—though he couldn't bear to let the medicine go, it wasn't that easy for him.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlIzVbCSqQ
Then the boss of the factory entered the room which Blue and the other employees had been working in, and he headed towards Blue in a menacing fashion.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpL5swFC4s
Putting his hand on Blues shoulder, making him shiver, he spoke with a periodically rising, seething voice.
"Subject 1116, you're late. Again. Now, why's that?"
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuMurgbDTY
Blue shuddered at his actual name before bringing his surge of assertiveness back to him as he turned to face him. "I Woke up late, since you almost work us to death" Even if he despised his coworkers he could always tell they're drained like him, hence their constant presumptuous attitude towards him.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OVBhqBvSr
Their boss was taken back by "Subject 1116's" words, snarling right in front of his face now. "Then maybe you SHOULD DIE!" he yelled while proceeding to shove Blue towards the conveyor belt, holding him against it tightly.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv26AsLKzMC
Blue tried resisting but his boss was bigger... and by a lot. With a blink of his eyes came a punch right into them from the boss, then grabbing a sharp part of a hologram and proceeding to slash Blue's face. The coworkers watched silently, these moments occurred multiple times before so they were not as shocked, though it still was a sight to see.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIV2EKNLQha
Letting Blue go, his boss took his prescription and headed to his office while speaking. "You won't be needing this.... Now, you three won't be late like 1116, am I clear?" They all nodded frantically, not wanting to get on his violent side.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJQWNzYGNB
Surprisingly, the sheer impact of the bosses punch didn't cause Blue to pass out, nor the bleeding gash across his already scarred face, as his body was used to the constant pain. Though, the immense pain through his whole body was hard to ignore and it took Blue a few seconds to realise what his boss said; he'd taken his Vyvanse.... He felt an anger fuel inside of him as now he didn't have any of his prescription in his possession. Blue knew what he had to do.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafSYlkoXMf
His coworkers looked at each other, conversing on the moment, but when they looked back at his station, Blue was gone—as if he vanished in mere seconds. What happened is he'd run out of the back door while they weren't looking, and headed for the Highlands of Hemlock in search of an escape from this city, if that's even feasible.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOA3kPryhiV
"I-I'll go tell the boss!"
One of them spoke in a quickened manner, his departure to the main office immediately after.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkKIcmy06e
Once he reached the office he'd burst through the door, out of breath as the boss was just starting to sit at his desk again.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrL3c8ijied
He groaned with a possible problem at hand, sighed and placed Blue's medication on his desk.
"Something wrong, 1031?
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5C380Lxat
His voice was stern as always, making Subject 1031 choke up a little before spitting out what happened.
"Subject 1116 is missing!"
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7ZTBTC29P
He slammed his hand onto the desk in disbelief.
"WHAT? How did this occur..."
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7XbwJDXZm
"I don't know—we looked away for a moment, and when we looked back... he just wasn't, well, there!"
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUJFQjHVAg
"Dammit, I'll check if 1116 left any tracks."
The boss was pissed off by this, storming out of his office to have a look for himself on where Subject 1116 may have gone off to.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8UExPnpV5
At the work room where the 2 other employees were continuing their work he stomped over to the back door. He easily noticed it was latched open just by a smidge so he swung it fully open and looked to the ground for answers. There lied tracks in the mud, as the factory was at the edge of the city which makes it near... The Highlands of Hemlock!
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBprNl9zR0p
With these clues, the boss could only presume he's heading there, as it'd be the only place he could have even a slim chance of hiding away while still in Hemlock.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICmMbiniUl
Rubbing his chin, he devilishly grinned.
"I know where he's heading... I'll go contact the Deceivers and tell them to establish patrols with Infiltrator Intelligence to search for 1116. Who knows what further intentions he has by running away..."
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJnBVCl9gg
The workers quaked nervously, but complied nonetheless with the bosses deliberate decision on how to go on about 1116's disappearance. He pulled out his phone, dialled Deceiver Headquarters and impatiently waited for someone to pick up.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZCept3HEU
A few seconds passed and who it was that picked up the phone was one of the automatic robots.
"Hello, I'm here to tell you that The Deceivers are currently busy making sure our nation is safe and sound! Don't worry, they'll be back any time soon, meanwhile you can sit back and wait!"
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2su6sOn7pP
He groaned again, holding himself back from lashing out at the A.I.
"It's urgent... put me on the line with a Deceiver. Now. A certain Subject is on the loose."
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneZ6bCAFCF
"Oh— right away, sir! I'll notify one to come right away, my apologies."
The robot, like all A.I. in this day of age, sounded insanely human, too human and considerably more human than most actual ones in the present time. They were like an echo of the past...
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEOrWJvL7t
He grumbled again, waiting for a Deceiver to talk on the other end of the phone, he was desperate to get the search on going already; they'll probably blame him for Subject 1116 going missing.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWTMwWLcf1
Some noises came from the end of the phone, ones of panic it sounded like before a Deceiver came to the phone.
"You're the one who called to report a missing Subject, right? Where were they last seen and do you know where they could have gone off to?"
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZq8Jvm6EJ
The boss could hear panic in this Deceiver's voice, it sounded like this was a big problem for them.
"Yes, yes, I'm the owner of the factory closest to the Highlands of Hemlock, that's where I suspect Subject 1116 ran off to. And I called to ask if you're able to negotiate patrols across Hemlock with Infiltrator Intelligence to find him."
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZL1u9wpAZ
"I suppose we could amp up the current security and patrol with the Infiltrators. And Subject 1116... looking him up I see that he has blue hair, with corresponding eye colour, a septum, left nose ring and dozens of scars, is this your culprit? Says here that he's on the medication Vyvanse too.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHf9GFx65tU
"Yep, everything checks out. For your information, he doesn't have any of his medication anymore as it's with me."
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOuo952sxm
"Kay, I'll send all this information to the Infiltrator Base near the 36th parallel. In the meantime maybe put some better security in your building. We can't have this happen again, you hear me?"
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vMNVjmS2C
The boss took the Deceivers words to heart, he couldn't say anything back to him.
"I- yes, I'll consider that..."
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAv44kblQs
"Alright, we're counting on you to do so..."
The phone abruptly went quiet as the Deceiver hung up.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHNi8p4H0R
The words from the Deceiver before hanging him up sent chills down his spine. He stuffed his phone back into his pocket and went to his office to figure out how to go about an update to the factory's security.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6nJSABTnB
After the boss entered his room once more, the three workers looked at each other with uncertainty. Then they went back to work, trying to manage with missing a worker, it came easy for the three to forget about Subject 1116 as a whole.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxxPBzSH2p
By now Blue was a good distance away from the factory, though he hasn't made it to the Highlands of Hemlock just yet. He wondered again "Where could that girl have been heading?" but first he needed to find a hideout. Though, worst of all, he felt urged to get his hands on Vyvanse again, worrying of the withdrawals that'll happen to him by not taking them for an extended period of time.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECmXypq7mw
He didn't know entirely where he was, but what he could tell was that he's in a more forest-like area now, away from the towering builds and bright light, though from here they were still visible as he stopped to look behind. As he stood there the more uncomfortable his work clothes felt on him, so he ripped them off and threw them to the ground where grass laid. There was a deep anger in him as he stared at it while seething intensely. Blue wanted nothing more but to burn his past; forget about it, start a new chapter in his life, and make a better person of himself.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwEAlsofcO
And he was going to start with the scars from his job.
right now.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1Y9AZXPbk
From inside his satchel, which laid on the ground with his work clothes, he dug around for a few seconds in search for anything he could set the clothes aflame with. When he gathered all his stuff, he'd put in what he considered his most necessary possessions. The contents of Blue's spacious bag were his knife, journal and pencils, cigarettes, and a lighter. He supposed that could work, considering he didn't have any matches with him. Blue grabbed it out of his satchel and crouched near the two piles of garment, proceeding in using the lighter to make them catch fire.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu58Y6yI3Xx
As the clothes illuminated in lanes of two he'd put his boots back on and let them smoulder some more before stomping them down till the fire was out. Then he rushed to put on the only pair of clothes he had now, running from the scene immediately as he knew how quick the Infiltrators can be when something "wrong" happens.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBGb0mvAqU
Running through the forest, jumping over twigs and such, made Blue feel euphoric and free again. He could hardly find the word to describe this feeling of joy he has almost forgotten about entirely. There were so many things Hemlock had made Blue, and all Victims, forget about themselves in which he would do anything to find those things again. To feel what he truly feels, to think freely and to not abide by the rules of the totalitarian society of Hemlock.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiSZEVC1xc
By now Blue was deeper into the forest and the atmosphere was more bearable with the trees cooling the forest floor. He hasn't stepped foot in a forest since forever it felt like, and as he stopped to catch his breath, looking for a possible hideout, Blue couldn't help but notice the silence of the forest. He'd remember the sounds of the forest in the morning, before Hemlocks overturned the South into the horror it is now.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3AVYhygEZ
There were no loud noises from bugs of any kind, nor any sound of the frogs croaking around him. Just pure silence, it was incredibly off putting. Blue believed this was due to the harsh conditions of global warming coming too fast for the wild animals to adapt, though humans were capable of adapting. Yet, every second was like he's inside a scorching hot oven, the only season being summer as if the world was stuck in a time loop. He'd consider it a miracle for nice weather to occur, but Blue knew from experience that none of his prayers would be answered here in Hemlock.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTLlIPeY0U
Time couldn't be wasted in Hemlock either so Blue blocked out all his thoughts, letting himself focus on a single one, finding a hide out. He searched and searched until he laid his eyes upon a hideout-esque spot, it was a boarded up, shanty wooden shack well covered by the trees, hills and other nature found throughout the Highlands of Hemlock. Looking at the entrance perplexed, searching for how to get in, he saw a spot he could slide through without interfering with the boards bolted to the doorway, which happened to be missing its door.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8FNi6XM0d
After he'd squeezed through the boards, Blue examined the rooms' perimeters, there were cob webs in many areas, and old furniture that looked on the verge of collapsing into pieces; nothing he can't fix up if he felt the need to. He was quickly intrigued to explore the place further so he hurried around room to room, getting quick glances of the interior of the very few other rooms. Blue got to the last room and came to find it was a bedroom of sorts: a bed covered with branches and such, a desk and a drawer, all of these things looked old like everything else in this house.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRO02Eqh8eL
His mind needed to rest for a few minutes so he sat down at the wooden desk, there happened to be a window right in front of it so Blue pushed its curtains open, looking out of it just to see an old but whimsical looking tree. Its droopy leaves moved slightly with the almost nonexistent breeze outside, this calmed down some of Blue's everlasting nerves. Something about it was off, like it was a special kind of tree, and Blue felt connected to it by that thought of his.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDA8lmkjwCU
Blue wanted to investigate more, so he opened the window and climbed out of it carefully and oddly enough the temperature felt just right for him. It was as if the tree produced a coolness around itself, it was in fact a big oak tree and it must have been there for centuries. He sat down with his back against the tree, then he got the idea to journal once again; it's felt like forever since he's gotten the chance to, and it feels like he should start writing again more than ever.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd73fN0OF5D
The last time Blue journaled was about 5 months after Hemlocks took power over the South, he was caught by an Infiltrator who came to do the daily room inspection and he'd accidentally left his journal in plain sight. They forced him to watch as they tore out the pages in which the 4 entries were written on. And due to his beliefs, they had put him in a padded cell, physically abusing him for a prolonged period of time that was hard to estimate exactly how long it'd been. It was a painful experience for Blue and he gained permanent scars from what they did to him. The Deceivers said that if he were to do anything of that nature again, they'd torture Blue even more than the first time, or worse—kill him.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22QGZiPcmL
He didn't want to keep hold of those bad thoughts, he concluded that he'd better get to journaling, this one would be his 5th one as of now if the four old ones even count now since they're long gone. So Blue grabbed a pencil out of his satchel, along with his journal, and started to write out his feelings and thoughts.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZkXiKtamd
Journal entry 5
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvF9JGpDTH
After five months I can finally write in here again—it feels like forever that I've been blocked from this outlet of mine, no—this power of mine. But what's more important is that today I ran away, and now I've found a hideout in a wonderful spot. There's this tree outside my window which I've found to enjoy sitting underneath, it's the only area where the temperature I can exist comfortably in. And another thing, there's a red haired girl I saw on the train. I swear she's the one; I'll get her to join me in setting fires against the government in hope to destroy it.
Stay cool...
—Blue
After he finished writing, Blue lifted his pencil off the paper and read over his entry, trying to see if he's content with it. He finished doing so and then began to lie on his back in the grass, staring up at the top of the tree as the journal laid open on the grass.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxjMOAEILO
Blue sighed, speaking to it as if a tree would have the ability to hear him, that obviously not being possible but he was already crazy enough to run away.
"I don't know where to start... and I'm guessing you don't know either. Shit, am I even going in the right direction? I'm just one person against a whole nation... and even if I find that girl—and get her on my side, something could go horribly wrong."
The tree didn't seem to respond to Blue, instead its leaves only moved with the wind ever so slightly.
"Dammit, why am I talking to a tree..."
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRNkstiRQp
Blue pushed himself back up to a sitting up position, and he began to sit in a fetal position, his body still towards the tree as he made a muffled groan into his legs. Not even ten seconds into his prolonged grumbles of internal sorrow he heard the sound of a bird chirping somewhere above him that began flapping its wings, flying away. He stopped moping momentarily and looked up to see a blue feather falling slowly in the wind, it eventually reaching arms length with Blue which led to him catching it as he continued sitting in front of the tree.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjl7ftmoXv
This confused Blue as he looked to see where the bird could be, but alas there were none in sight. So, he decided to speak to the tree with great confusion, but also a cry for answers, again.
"Are... you trying to speak to me...??
Blue laughed at his words, he couldn't believe what he was saying to a tree, he had to have gone insane by now.
"Nah, that bird had to be a coincidence... though I haven't heard one or seen one in so long."
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZ0qINNRO3
Then Blue catches the sound of someone, something— whispering to him, and he listens closely.
"You can be strong enough to be the one who destroys Hemlock... you're the one who can bring light back to the South. Keep the feathers which fall from me with each writing, each demur against Hemlock. Take your knife... and carve your name into me with all the rage that is inside of you, then is when you'll be granted my power. and in this city so gray, come to me, your safe haven, in hopes to be lended more of my wisdom. Keep being defiant through writing, and I'll keep my words."
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8aDnz7GHb
Blue couldn't believe the tree was actually talking, but he understood deeply what it had just told him.
"Yes... I'll do just that. But... one thing, what about the girl I saw on the train, do you know if I even have the small chance of getting her to join me in taking down Hemlock...?"
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkE4nFin1a
The Tree was silent, making it seem as if it was thinking, then it whispered once again.
"A raven hidden in red, locked away from her true self through scars of endless war. Anger fuels her like the red of her feathers which flame from her head, yet she is caged away by harsh rules that, if broken, will kill her. There is someone willing to join you under those ready to be preened feathers, you just have to help clean those which are hard for her to reach herself. Show her all the love that you have for her, get rid of her scars like you've begun to do with yours, and you will find that girl."
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wbMKDUDau
Blue felt thoroughly enlightened by The Tree's words, he felt a true purpose for himself start to form. Before he could do anything more, Blue stood up and took his knife out of his pocket, flipped the blade up, and began to carve his true name into The Tree with extreme force as he released all that pent up anger inside of him, just like it told him to do. From now on he's not Subject 1116, he is Blue, and he'll never be confined to Hemlock's dreary way of life that gets pushed onto every single victim. He knew exactly where he had to head from here, to find the girl and heal the scars deep inside of her soul, and by all means, show her the kind of love that Hemlock is severely against.
ns216.73.216.33da2
and then Add to home screen.