Hello and Welcome to 'Switched: Truth's Game'. If you're a returning reader from the previous version or even a new reader, thanks for being here and I hope you enjoy the ride. This is a complete rewrite of a story I had done years ago, and if you're new and concerned, don't worry, you don't have to have read the first one to understand this.

Let's do this.

Truth was bored.

The eternity of an observer was dreadfully boring. It was only those few humans that make things… interesting. And even then, the humans it found so wonderfully interesting were boring it. It knew of every choice they were going to make: the beginning, the middle, and the end. It knew what was going to happen and when, and things did not get interesting until much later.

But.

There were those who it could not predict. Ah yes. How could it forget?

Truth grinned.

I wanted to die.

Mornings were the worst. It was even worse that I was sat in a Starbucks at 6AM studying my ass off for finals. And for classes I regret taking. This is what I got for going into the Honors program. Why couldn't have middle-school-Ivy slacked off? Middle-school-Ivy set standards I couldn't reach anymore.

"Ives, do you understand this? I'm gonna fail this final…."

I looked up through my bangs at her. Her blue eyes were filled with misery as she stared at her notebook full of numbers and scribbles and crossed out equations. Math was never Ashley's strong suit.

I laughed. "Yeah, don't worry."

Ashley and I decided to move their study group to the outside tables as to not disturb the other customers inside. The summer morning air was chill and fresh and did wonders to wake me up. Summer vacation was so close I could taste it. Just have to make it through finals week with high enough scores to keep my GPA up, then it was camping, beaches, and sleeping in till noon.

We had stacks of papers and notebooks and textbooks splayed all over the table. We huddled together for warmth as I tried explaining formulas to the best of her abilities. It was going well until I saw something out of the corner of my eye.

It was an older man, middle aged and disheveled. He had this humongous blanket wrapped around himself as he circled our table in this weird predatory way. At first I thought he was just waiting for someone, but he kept circling, kept staring at us like some meal. Or more realistically, looking at Ashley like she was the meal.

Ashley was incredibly pretty, even though she couldn't see it. She was the definition of the 'traditional' American beauty: big, blue eyes and long blonde hair. She was shy, always trying to make herself small, with a hidden feistiness that only a select few got to see. She was willowy and tall. Or, tall to me. I was only 5'1" and she seemed to tower over me even though she was the tiny one in her family. She was so charming and cute that I used to have this gigantic crush on her, till we became best friends.

It seemed like the creepy guy was very aware of my friend's charms. He was walking around us quicker now, the circle getting smaller and smaller until he was close enough for me to see his crazed gray eyes and his hands adjusting his pants. It made me sick to my stomach.

"Hey."

I nearly jumped out of my skin when I felt a hand on my shoulder. My first instinct was to deck the guy square in the face, grab Ashley, and run. But I was a wimp, rooted in place by fear. I slowly looked up at the owner of the hand and was surprised to see a teenage boy, older than we were, and undeniably attractive as hell with wavy—almost curly—jet black hair and green eyes that stared into my brown ones intently.

"Lets go inside, yeah?" He asked in a low voice, addressing the both of us.

Ashley also eyed the creepy guy standing in the corner, still staring hungrily. She found her voice before I did. "Yeah."

We quickly gathered our things while the boy stood tall and glared daggers at the creep. We threw our backpacks over our shoulders and the boy trailed behind, trying to cover us from view. As soon as we were safely inside the Starbucks, I let out a breath of relief. My hands were shaking and I felt my knees begin to buckle. I managed to look calm but my voice was still MIA.

"Thanks for that," I said, my voice cracking a bit. Ashley nodded, her eyes looking for the creep outside who seemed to have vanished. When did he leave?

He shrugged. "Don't worry about it. Is there anyone who can pick you two up?"

"Already on it," Ashley answered, flashing her phone, busy texting her mother.

"Do you want me to stay till you get picked up?" He asked, though it was very obvious he was only addressing Ashley.

I looked at her, still silent, and we talked it over with just looks. When you clicked with someone the way we did, there was no need for words.

"No, we're fine. My mom's on the way and it won't be long now," she said quietly and he nodded.

"Alright. Maybe I'll see you around," he said with a subtle suggestive look in her direction. He paused for just a nanosecond, his confident gait and forward glances saying everything that needed to be said. Ashley, as oblivious as she was, didn't notice. He left, and I saw him look around to see if the guy was hiding behind the corner. I supposed he wasn't, because the boy continued on his way, with one last glance in Ashley's direction.

When he was gone, I sighed, some of the tenseness in my muscles gone. I touched Ashley's arm.

"You okay?"

"Yeah—yeah, I'm good, it was just that guy. I didn't like the way he looked at us," She said, finally finding her voice.

I smirked, nudging her with my elbow. "But hey, I'm sure you liked how that other guy looked at you, eh?"

She stared at me, brows furrowing in confusion. "What?"

I was at a loss. "You didn't notice…?"

She rolled her eyes at me. "He was not looking at me. He was probably checking out your cleavage, you tit monster."

I only laughed and envied how calm she was in this situation. She seemed to forget all about what happened, yet I was still feeling shaky. As timid as she was, I wished I had the nerves that she did. I was just some wimp that talked big. My father tried toughening me up, but other than explaining a few self-defense moves, I knew nothing. If I were put in a situation where I had to protect myself, I didn't know if I'd actually have the nerve to do anything.

However...

I stared back at the spot the homeless man was. The glass door separating us from the outside world did little to appease the queasiness in my gut. As I continued to stare at the spot the man used to be, I felt my hair stand on end. I don't know if the glass was smudged or something, but it looked distorted. The empty space he used to stand and the air around it seemed distrubed, as if I could reach out and physically touch it.

"Ives?"

I snapped back to my senses, looking back to see Ashley's baby blue eyes looking at me worriedly. I instantly plastered a smile on my face to reassure her. "Yeah?"

"You were spacing out...you okay?"

I nodded."Yeah! Yeah I'm good. I was just wondering if I should buy a brownie or something for Naomi."

She rolled her eyes. "I hope you don't spoil your own kids as much as you spoil your sister."

I grinned. "Oh, cmon! I'm not that bad."

She sent me her knowing look. "That little girl has you wrapped around her finger."

I laughed and soon Ashley was laughing along with me. It wasn't long until her mom showed up, honking at us from the sidewalk. As we left the Starbucks and piled into the car, I couldn't help but steal glances at the place the homeless man was, but whatever I saw before was no longer there.

Perhaps, while Truth was waiting, it could play a game.

It had been a while since Truth had been actively involved in its creation. Usually, it found it in poor taste to meddle in the affairs of freedom. Truth sighed. As much as it would like to just watch, it was reaching an end to complacency. The few mistakes made here and there were going to catch up to it. It had to set things in motion.

After all, Truth was bored.

The air was strangely cold and a breeze sent a chill down my spine. I pulled my sweater around myself tighter. I slumped against the wall I was leaning against, groaning into the emptiness. School had ended an hour ago due to the finals schedule and the campus was deserted within minutes of the final bell. Only a madman would stay willingly, but I had strict orders from my mom not to leave campus grounds unless it was an emergency. "It's not a good area!" I could hear her warning voice in my head.

I sighed and saw my breath fade into a tiny cloud. It was gloomy and gray, clouds blanketed across the afternoon sky. California weather was strange and unpredictable, especially in the bay area. It looked like it was going to rain, which was odd, but I guess not uncommon for San Francisco. Maybe there'll be a summer storm, I thought excitedly. I crossed my fingers that it didn't start raining now. On most school days I'm stuck on campus for hours after school ended. It was my fault for living so far away and not driving myself. My dad didn't get off work until late and I had to wait for him to come get me. Usually I'm doing odd-jobs around campus, or in play rehearsal, or waiting for choir practice.

But it was finals and the teachers left early, the play was over, and the school choir was done with their work for the year.

So I was stuck.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out my replica pocket watch and checked the time: 1PM. I traced the design on the front, smiling. In middle school I was a major anime nerd. I've since stopped watching anime, being busy with school and all, but I kept the state alchemist pocket watch that an old friend gifted me for Christmas a few years back. It was useful and, I don't know, I'm a sentimental person. It's become habit to take it with me everyday.

I sat there, staring into nothing whilst opening and closing the pocket watch to occupy my hands.

Then I felt it.

A single raindrop on my forehead.

It began sprinkling, slowly, but quickly wetting the earth below me.

I looked up at the Virgin Mary statue that stood beside the cafeteria. "Thanks a lot."

Mary didn't respond back.

I chucked my bag over my shoulder and began walking back to Starbucks. Surely my mom wouldn't want me to stay and get soaked; this was an emergency!

I grimaced. I didn't really want to go back, but I needed somewhere to stay dry. I was nervous that the creep was still there. It's been hours since the incident, so I doubt it, but if he is, there wouldn't be another handsome stranger to save me.

It was pouring by the time I made it to Starbucks. I took refuge under the veranda, wringing out my shirt. I was soaked. I decided to stay outside until I was semi-dry, or dry enough to walk in without leaving a puddle where I was standing. I spend way too much money on coffee here, anyway.

I was still nervous about that creepy guy. My gut was tied in knots. What if he was still here? Lurking about? Realistically, he probably wasn't. But that didn't stop my brain from thinking about it, nope. Oh god, what if the creep tried talking to me again? Oh god, what if he tried abducting me? I wasn't in a very good neighborhood anyway. Oh god, what if—?

A hand touched me.

My body reacted without me telling it to.

I opened my eyes upon hearing a loud WHACK and saw the boy from earlier today clutching his nose and cursing under his breath. Everything pieced together at once.

"Ohmygod, ohmygod, I am so, so sorry!" I exclaimed, trying to see what I could do. "Oh my— c'mon, let's go inside!"

That one.

The Gate slammed open, the children's hands wriggling and screeching in joy.

Yes, Truth announced, Soon.

Dozens of tissues were piled on the table and the boy held a fistful up to his nose. I could see blood soaking the edges. My stomach dropped to the ground. "I am so sorry."

He looked at me from the corner of his eye. "You said that already." His voice was nasally from keeping his nose pinched.

"I know, I just feel terrible."

He tilted his face up and reached for more napkins while tossing the blood soaked ones into the trash behind him. Blood dried up around the corners and I saw that his nose hadn't stopped bleeding yet. He pinched his nose with clean napkins. "You've got one hell of a right hook."

I couldn't believe he could still be cracking jokes. "Thanks…" I mumbled, leaning closer and trying to see. "Did I break it? I'm so sorry."

"Christ, stop apologizing already," he admonished, glaring at me slightly. "It was an accident, right?"

I nodded sheepishly.

"Then it's nothing to worry about." He removed the wad of napkins from his face and he scrunched up his face and cringed immediately after from pain. He chuckled. "You didn't break my nose, thank god; that would have been annoying. It's just a bit sore. How's your hand?"

Now that the adrenaline wore off, it was aching. It felt like I punched a wall. "It's fine."

He raised an eyebrow. "Really?" He reached over and grabbed my hand, making me jump and yelp out in pain. He laughed and I felt my face flush in embarrassment. "That's what I thought. Hold on."

He stood up and walked to the barista. He was too far away for me to hear what he was saying, and his back was to me, but he eventually turned and gestured to where I was. Embarrassed, I pretended to not be staring and looked at the rain pelting the window next to me.

After what felt like forever, he came back with two rags and handed one to me. Inside were ice cubes. He held his bunched up rag to his nose. I took the cue and put it on the knuckles of my hand. Immediately it began to feel a little bit better. Who knew punching someone in the face would hurt that bad? The movies make it look so easy.

We sat there in silence for a bit. I felt my face heat up in embarrassment. God this was so awkward. Why is he still here? He should have cursed me out and left by now. But instead we're sitting across from each other in awkward silence. This is so much worse than him yelling at me.

"Hey," I said suddenly. He looked at me. "Thanks for this morning, by the way. I, uh, didn't say much then."

He smirked. "I'm surprised you're back so soon. Couldn't stay away?"

I felt my face burn and I'd be surprised if I wasn't a tomato. "It was raining and I-I had nowhere to go!"

He laughed at me and I wanted to die right then and there.

"Two hot chocolates for Noah?" the barista called.

The handsome stranger stood up and went over to claim the two drinks. When he came back, he handed one to me. "Here."

"Oh, you didn't have to!" I pushed the drink toward him again.

"Don't worry about it. It's cold, we're both wet and hurting, might as well have something warm. Hope you like hot chocolate," he said, pushing the drink back toward me.

I stared at it dumbly, not knowing what to say. I mumbled another 'thank you' and took a tentative sip. The warmth flowed down my throat and settled into my chest and I finally started to feel a little bit better. "How much was it?"

He shook his head and waved his hand dismissively. "I told you not to worry about it."

I felt guilty. I punched him in the face and he's the one that bought me something. Nonetheless, I smiled at him. "Thank you," I said again, for good measure. He just rolled his eyes and took a sip at his own drink. I looked down at the name scrawled on the cup. "So, Noah, huh?"

He nodded. "Noah Shasta."

"Ivy Thompson. Thanks," I told him. "For the hot chocolate, for earlier today, and for being so nice to me even though I punched you in the face."

He laughed and then reached into his pocket. "Before I forget," he handed it to me. "You dropped this out there."

I looked down. My pocket watch. I felt a bit embarrassed that he saw something so nerdy of mine, but I took it, mumbling yet another 'thank you' at him.

"That's from that, what-ya-call-it…" he snapped his fingers as he tried to remember. He pointed at me when it dawned on him. "That show that was on Toonami."

A wry smile appeared on my face. "Full Metal Alchemist. Yeah. It's an anime. You watched it?"

He shrugged. "Eh, not really. I watched a few episodes here and there. Didn't pay much attention to it. You a fan?"

"Kind of, yeah," I said, trying to forget my obsession with the show. "A friend gave this to me as a present a few years back when I was really into it."

I was finally feeling comfortable when I nearly had a heart attack. Behind Noah was the creep from earlier, staring directly at me. He was soaked, his eyes wide as he stared, pointing, and mouthing words. He was yelling, but the words were lost from the glass separating us.

Upon seeing my face, Noah turned to where I was staring. His face instantly dropped into a glower. He turned to me. "Don't make eye contact, just keep looking down."

I did as was told and I gripped the cup of hot chocolate tighter in my hands. I took a sip to try and calm myself.

I felt myself freeze when I heard the door open and the bell jingle. I tried not to, but I looked up to confirm my fears: the guy had come in. Water dripped off of him and pooled at his feet.

Noah stood up quickly, chest puffed out and standing tall. But he was just a kid a few years older than me. The creep was a middle aged homeless man; who knew what he was capable of?

The man continued to walk closer to our table. He was slow and the water trail followed him. The commotion within the Starbucks seemed to slow as the baristas and workers watched carefully and the other customers stared in confusion and unease.

"Soon," the man announced, staring. His eyes were blank, like he couldn't actually see me. He spoke in our general direction, "I've heard the truth. It's coming soon."

"Woah, man," Noah said, blocking me from view. "You need to take a few steps back, alright?"

"Is there a problem?" one of the stockier baristas asked from behind the counter. "Hey!" The homeless man turned to the barista. "I'm going to need you to step out, sir."

"Soon!" The man repeated, whirling around and regarding everyone.

"Sir, if you don't leave, I'm going to have to call security to escort you out," the barista called, moving out from the counter.

The man suddenly cowered in fear, looking as though he just saw a ghost. He stared into the distance, at something from behind me. He covered his ears and looked as if he were in pain. "IT'S HERE!"

What?

The ground began to shake and the lights flickered on and off. The storm grew louder and lightning struck the ground outside. The customers began to scream as things started falling off shelves.

"EARTHQUAKE!" Someone shouted.

Instinctively I fell to the ground, covering my head and neck as I crouched under the table as I was taught in school. Noah dropped too and we huddled together, covering ourselves as the ground shook violently. Customers were screaming and the windows were shattering and letting in the cold wind. I saw the shards of glass shower the ground around me and I felt them hit my back. In fear, I grabbed onto Noah, searching for some sort of familiarity. He grabbed my hand too and shouted something at me that I couldn't hear.

In the corner of my eye I saw the homeless man grab onto Noah too. Purple lightning sprung from his touch. I screamed as it crackled around me and a circle appeared underneath us. I held onto Noah tighter as the ground shook even more, and the table above us flew out in the wind. The rain was hitting us, quickly soaking our clothes. A loud screeching penetrated my ears and I saw the ceiling crack.

Next thing I knew, it collapsed, and everything went dark.

When I woke up, all I saw was blinding white light. I blinked a few times to wake up more. My head was throbbing, my body was aching, and my hand was clenched tightly, for some reason. I unclenched it with some effort; my fingers were stiff and would not budge. When I relaxed my hand, I opened and closed it to get feeling to return to it. When I opened my eyes, I expected my room, with purple walls and keepsakes thumbtacked to them. I expected to be in my bed, with polka dot covers and my dog curled up on my side.

When I opened my eyes, I saw a white blankness.

Startled, I bolted up into a sitting position. Immediately my head throbbed in protest, and I clutched at my eyes, trying to settle the pain. I began remembering everything all at once: the earthquake, the building collapsing on me, and Noah.

Noah!

I looked around, desperate to find him.

I was met with more white.

I couldn't distinguish what was ground and ceiling, where the blank expanse ended or started. There was nothingness, and then there was me.

Did I die?

Was I dead?

I looked around in horror. There was nothing. Just white blankness.

"HELLO?" I shouted into the unknown. To my horror, there was no echo. I pushed myself to stand, staring in bewilderment around me. "WHERE AM I?" I screamed to the emptiness.

No answer.

My heart began to race and breathing became difficult. I couldn't think—what was I supposed to think?! Was I dead? Where am I?!

'This is interesting," I heard a voice say. It was unlike anything I've heard, but everything I've ever known.

I whirled around to see a figure of substance. It was difficult to differentiate where the figure started and where the white nothing ended. It kept morphing and changing into different silhouettes, yet I could see it settling into a humanoid, female body. Short and curvy with soft edges. It took me longer than I'd like to admit to realize it was mimicking me. It sat a yard away from me, a mouth turned upward into a wide, toothy grin. It made me uneasy to see my own smile shifted into something so wicked.

"You are not supposed to be here."

I stared at it, unsure what to make of it. "W-who are you?"

It laughed at me.

"Don't you know?"

I ransacked my mind trying to think. Thoughts kept flying at me, but it couldn't be.

"You know who I am."

I felt my words get caught in my throat.

"I am what you may call God, the universe, or perhaps Truth. I am All, and I am One, and I am You."

"But you're not real," I found myself saying. Despite everything, I began to laugh. I was just dreaming. It bubbled out of my chest and through my mouth, and I laughed until my stomach hurt and tears sprang from my eyes. The being in front of me did not flinch, and only kept grinning.

"Then tell me, how it is, that you are here?"

Its voice became mine. A twisted, unfamiliar version of my voice.

"You are not dreaming."

My smile faded.

"I know that you are afraid. I know that you're confused. But everything will be revealed in due time."

I swallowed. My voice was weak and quiet. "What's happening?"

Its grin only grew bigger.

"You have already paid what is due."

I felt something grab my sleeve. Slowly, I looked behind me only to confirm my fears.

The huge doorway—the Gate— appeared. Tiny hands wiggled and squirmed out of it, all reaching toward me. One by one, they grabbed what they could get their hands on. Locks of hair, fingers, clothes, my arms, legs. With each touch of the hands, it seared into my flesh, tightening their grips until I saw chunks of myself dissipate into the air. The Gate pulled me toward them and I felt myself sinking into a gelatinous darkness.

And that's the prologue. This story is the product of my first successful NaNoWriMo and I plan on updating this story once a week, every Thursday. Times may vary so keep a look out for the author notes!

If you liked the Story, liked what you read, or even like Ivy, please review! Until next chap.