XX.

LITHIUM

Today was that day, wasn't it? She had been dreading it all week long, both out of open hostile distaste and actually subtle fear. It was a longtime coming and no matter how much she would try, her attempts were now meaningless. This was one confrontation she could not avoid, one long conversation she desperately was not looking forward to having. Her father had made the appointment a week ago and now it was time for Lupa to talk about her internal problem and reveal her most private thoughts to some stranger who claimed to be a professional because of a fancy written paper he got handed at a expensive school. The girl really hated the idea of attending counseling.

It's been four days since Lyra fucked off from home and three since Lupa told her to fuck off as well. The house had never felt so abandoned and quiet before, the name Loud had lost all meaning. The only thing that was still loud was Loan's gaming and least not to mention the voices in her head telling the young goth how much she deserves to suffer. She ignored it the best she could, but the harsh whispers still slipped through her mental wall, it wasn't easy to forget and the remainder would always be forever present.

Loan was the first one to greet her that morning, an odd gesture, most especially since it was this early in the morning. All she knew was that it was by Loan's hand that Lyra had not followed her up the stairs to her room. Since then her eldest sister has slightly changed up her habits, she was still the same anxiety-ridden 21 year old, but she was trying to be different, be more engaging, especifically to her. After all the tragedy and drama that has damaged this family, Loan had decided she wanted to crawl out of her shell and be useful, Lupa didn't fault her for it, more power to her.

"Ready f-for today, Lu?"

"No."

Loan timidly placed her hand on Lupa's shoulder, a sign of reassurance, despite the clear shake of nervousness she was producing, "J-Just... t-t-take i-it easy."

Not giving a response back she headed for the kitchen and get her share of breakfast, not like she would enjoy it, she barely ate anything anymore. Her hunger was non existent, only a very small meal per day was her daily consumption. She ignored the pain and pleas that her stomach created after the many hours that she could tolerated it, it was the emotions her heart ejected that were eating her up. Just a glass of juice and a simple toasted bread for the rest of the day, anything else and she will ignore it or give it a few nibbles before pushing it away.

With her limited breakfast over, she begrudgingly headed for the car where her father patiently waited for her. The drive was deadly quiet, not a single word from the girl as she stared absent mindedly at her phone's screen. Lincoln on the other hand, found it hard to relay the correct words to her, Lupa had always been the hardest one of all his children to bond with, even more than Lemy. He felt like a complete stranger next to her, how could he had ever allowed their bond to get fractured this badly?

"It's only a twenty minute session, I doubt he'll immediately go deep into your life." Lincoln did his best to reassure his daughter.

Lupa didn't answer back, her face only soured more than it already was. He already knew that she wasn't going to give in and stay quiet for the entire ride, same with the therapist. He silently cursed himself for failing so low as a father that her most troubled child had to see a psychiatrist because he had no idea how to reach her. All of these revelations were many bitter pills he'd had to swallow, but now he had a clear mind and was ready to set things right, no matter how broken they already were.

Lyra was his most highest concern even more than Lupa, she had completed lost herself. She was now a far cry of who she used to be just over a month ago. He feared for her, lost sleep over her and just couldn't concentrate on anything else, but on her well-being. She loved Lemy as a brother and a lover, and just when she finally achieved both, it was ripped out of her hands, leaving a bloody wound in it's place. Afterwards, she changed into something ugly, into someone cruel and cold-hearted. Lincoln had no words for her, after all how could he? He was a terrible role model and even shittier parent for the most part, seeing his most responsible, educated and pure hearted daughter turn into a monster against her own family emotionally broke him. He had to get her back, not physically back to their home, but he needed to reach out to her lost soul and reel her in before she descended even further into the abyss.

Both him and Luna had to save their daughter.

Luna, that was another name that has been intruding his thoughts as of late. He still had no idea what to make of her, she claims to want change, but it was too early for him to cast judgment. She didn't just hurt Lyra and him, she turned her back on the meaning of family, her own family that she willing chose to relegate to second place. That night on the day she left, he damned her, cursed out her name from the heavens to the deepest circle in hell, he vowed to never forgive her. Now she was back and while his resentment remained in place, a voice deep within his conscience wondered if she deserved a second chance.

Maybe it was his sentimental memories coming to play. He vowed to kick her to the curb and reject her pleas to see the kids if she ever set foot in his house, but like the saying goes, no matter how careful you plan things, something is mean to always go wrong. This was too sudden, Luna would have to work for it, right now his only priority are his two emotionally damaged daughters.

"We're here."

Getting out of the car both headed towards the small building ahead of them. Nothing fancy or huge, just your friendly, local family psychiatrist office. Never heard of the guy, but dad highly recommend him, maybe the appointments had come cheap with a special offer. Either way Lupa begrudgingly followed her father inside and took a seat while he talked with the receptionist at the front desk. The place was rather empty, only her, Lincoln and the elderly receptionist as the sole inhabitants. This guy must not get that many basket cases, at least one sad, lonely man having a midlife crisis would be the bare minimum.

"The Doctor would attend to her shortly." The receptionist smiled brightly.

Lupa scoffed at her, yeah, show the world that lovable smile at least you ain't fucking living a inhumane, godforsaken existence you old hag. Why bother demeaning the old woman, she would eventually croak any day now. A death that wouldn't affect her in the slightest, not comparable at all to the one that already did. She continued to stare at the television with no interest as she waited for her mental check up to begin.

The earlier morning news was on, yet nothing interesting was ever reported. Detroit was were all the real action was occuring in a daily basis. The last major local news was...that of Lemy's.

Once again she pushed those thoughts away despite knowing they would return back in full scale and assault her heart. Focusing on the news, the reporter who was wearing a god awful tie by the way, gave his report for the day.

"There is still no known suspect in regards to the gruesome murders of the two men in an alley just to the north of the Detroit metropolitan area. Police authorities have identified both men as presumed members of a local street gang that has been plaguing that section of the city. For now the homicides are being treated as gang related..."

Yeesh, sucks to be them.

Lupa angrily furrowed her brows, what was she thinking? On the contrary, good riddance! Assholes like them don't deserve to live, heartless bastards that hurt and kill for money, they don't deserve mercy. Lemy wasn't given any, neither should they.

None of us should.

"Dr. McBride will see your daughter now."

The room was about as generic as it could possibly get. Cheap paintings of literal "who?" artists and portraits with positive quotes of so called encouragement hanged on the walls. An artificial plant and a large glass cabinet decorated the room, not to mention the obvious desk right in the middle. And that was were she now remained, the middle of this study having a one on one with the head shrink in front of her.

"Lupa it's so nice to finally meet you, please come in, come in. Take a seat, I'm here to listen and promise to do everything in my power to turn that frown into a smile." Dr. McBride smiled back at her, already sited and waiting for her.

Lupa mentally cursed no one in particular. He was one of those therapists, chirpy as fuck and always branding an faux smile to showcase trust and acceptance to their loony patients. Wait, is that what she considered herself as now? Whatever, she just wanted to get through this unwanted brain examination as fast as possible, as fast as twenty minutes could go by anyhow. Taking her seat, hands still in her sweater's pockets, Lupa eyed the man before her with the upmost disregard for his existence and purpose.

"First of all, let me introduce myself personally, I'm Clyde McBride." He continued to give out a courteous smile, "Aside from being a psychiatrist I also used to be a native of Royal Woods, I recently came back after years of practice in New York City."

"Neat." Lupa dryly replied.

As she sat in place with a solemn look, Dr McBride was already analyzing her mind, expressions and words. Having read the girl's profile before hand, he understood just how solid her mental barrier was going to be to crack and it was going to take his all to make a single dent. Despite who she was and who her father was, he made an oath to assist all whom approached him and cure them of their psychological ailing. This girl needed all the help he could possibly provide and by the looks alone, it was going to be the biggest challenge of his career.

"So, Lupa, how was your day so far?"

"... Boring."

As expected, patients, especially troubled teens and kids always kept their answers as simple as they could be, "How is the rest of your family? I'm certain they're all taking advantage of the summer as we speak."

"...They're all over the country. Exploring... forgetting...this town...is too depressing." Lupa spoke in whispers.

He understood, but the last thing he wants is to go directly for the jugular that contains her entire pain. To help her out he needs to chip away the wall that's she's hiding behind of and this requires patience and care. Bringing up Lemy's death on their first session is risky and down right reckless, for now Clyde only wants to make her feel as comfortable as she would allow herself to be. He needs to gain her trust and respect, without them this whole ordeal is a lost cause.

"This town isn't all that glamorous I'll give you that, but it's still home. We can never be away from our homes, our friends and family. Sure we can set off on an epic adventure that will grant us memorable moments, it's a way to distract ourselves from the constant restrictions that are enforced in our homes as well block away the problems in our lives." Clyde explained as Lupa silently listened.

"Tell me Lupa, did you wanted to leave your house and join the others on their summer trips?"

"No."

"You just claimed that this town brings nothing, but staleness and desolation. Why wouldn't you want to spend your summer away from this place." Clyde questioned her motive.

The young girl deeply sighted, but said nothing in return. She didn't want to answer, better yet she was trying to figure out her words. Know exactly what was going to be said and not gain any errors to her question. With a little bit of collective patience from his part she eventually answered back.

"What's the point?" Lupa muttered as she looked away from him, her eyes full of displeasure, "Go pretend you're happy, come back and be reminded that all the fucked up things are still here. Why... bullshit myself like that?"

"Fleeing away from your problems is a common trait, albeit an unhealthy one, but staying next to them and allow them to keep consuming us is just as bad, Lupa. We...all handle grief in different forms, the pain is equal in all our hearts, but the side effects are all characterized differently from each other too." Clyde explained.

He grabbed a folder on his desk and opened it. The contents hidden from her view.

"How is the relationship with your family right now?"

Lupa shrugged, "Crap."

"What about your mother? Are you close to her?"

Lupa shut her eyes at the mention of her mother. That was enough for him to know, but waited for the girl to reveal her emotions on her own.

"My mom...values ghosts and vampires more than her own fucking daughter." Lupa scoffed, "She loves the shit that goes bump in the night so much, she chose a haunted house down in the swamps of Louisiana over me and happily took off."

This was surprising, he didn't expect such a hostile tone towards Lucy. Growing up, Clyde could admit that that girl was way too obsessed on the occult, he always figured it was just a phase, guess they were all wrong on that one. It did make him wonder what the daughter/mother relationships were like for the others, he could only hope for the best.

"Did you ever tried to speak to her about your feelings, Lupa?"

"... Once."

"How did that interaction go?"

Lupa had pulled out her hands from the pockets of her sweater and crossed her arms. She had a dejected look, one that indicated a troubled mind.

"She asked me to come...that was it. But, my si-, my... cousins were all here. I chose to be with them all. It didn't bother her at all, she...she just said, 'okay' in the most mundane tone possible and that was it... didn't even push a little harder to win me over." Lupa grumbled, having to recall that specific memory.

"I'm very sorry, Lupa, a parent should always prioritize their child first above all other things in this ever changing world. I do hope your...uncle...has been taking great care of you since then as your guardian." Clyde said.

Lupa looked at him, there was something in his last sentence that sounded off, but she paid it no serious attention.

"He's... alright."

"How about your father, what is he like? Did you ever get a chance to meet him?"

Lupa stood quiet for a good second. This question was unexpected to say the least. Clyde studied her facial expressions, for just half a second her face had gone from surprised to worried and finally relaxed.

"Never met him, mom says he's great though. Great at shoving his dick on many different women at least." Lupa rolled her eyes at her dad's polygamous lifestyle.

Clyde had the urge to faint, and drop dead. He didn't need to be reminded of Lincoln's lustful sins by a mere child. Just how bad had things gotten since he last saw him? For the children to be aware of their own conception and their parents taboo activities at such an age?

"O-Okay, let talk about your Uncle Lincoln instead, how's your relationship with him?"

"It's something..."

"Would you mind elaborating further?" Clyde asked.

"...I always saw him...as a loser. A guy that can't commit and loves to play favorites with us. I fucking hated that." Lupa recalled their turbulent relationship.

"He only focused on my cousins, the ones that showed 'potential' at least." Lupa lifted her hands up and mockingly moved her two main fingers on each hand up and down.

"And why was that?" Clyde asked her, wanting her to open up more.

Lupa quickly dropped her annoyed expression, it was now replaced by a somber frown, "Because...L-Lemy...and I are...were...a couple of fuck ups. At least I am, not...him. I always do something wrong, not him, it's always...been me, h-he d-deserved b-better..."

She was crumbling, her emotions getting leaked. Lupa took a deep breath and remained quiet. Clyde talked to her, but the girl spoke no more. She had retreated into her mental safe room, just when she was about to most likely bawl her eyes out in front of a stranger it just activated. He feared this would happen. Not much he could do now, this was for another time. Having written all the notes down, he could work on some of the handed material for their next session.

"Lupa... it's always going to be hard. I'm certain you loved your cousin and he felt the same back. He gave his life for you, that's proof enough that he deeply loved you. Don't blame yourself over anything, both of you are not at fault, it was a matter of wrong place, wrong time. The police are doing everything in their power to locate those responsible. This horrible nightmare will soon end." Clyde promised her and mentally hoped it would.

"Can I go now?"

Clyde flipped on the last page of the vanilla folder on his desk and quickly read it through, "One more question and you're free to go."

"Lyra Loud. She's Lemy's older sister, she was supposed to be my other patient, but unfortunately that won't be happening. How are things with her?" He asked Lupa who could feel a headache manifesting.

Lupa thought back to Lyra, back to their ugly confrontation. Right now she was pissed off at her, rightfully so, but the more she thought about it could she really blame the teenager's rage? It was Lupa who forced Lemy out that night, not Lyra. It was Lupa who dragged him all the way across town, not Lyra. It was Lupa who got her only brother and greatest, sweetest and caring boy she could ever meet killed...not Lyra. This sudden train of thought was squeezing her heart, allowing the pain to ooze out. Her mind was reaching to a dark place again, she wanted to leave, go back home and lock herself in her room. Lupa could only image the tremendous pain her older sister was suffering, an agonizing pain that she and only she had caused and deserved no forgiveness for at all.

"She has every right to burn this fucking world to the ground."

"I'm not gonna ask again you fucking idiot!

Currently by the back alley of an undisclosed neighborhood, a ruthless interrogation was taking place. A very malnutrition man, with ragged clothing and unkempt greasy hair was held at knife point by a very pissed off teenager.

Lyra donning Lemy's now cleaned bandana to cover her face had one hand on the man's shoulder and the other one grabbing her hunting knife and pressing it to the scared man's throat. She could easily use her new gun instead, but that was being saved up for a more specific and special occasion. The knife was a far more effective weapon against low lives like this one, just a quick slash or stab and they either fall dead or run away in fear. Either way this sad excuse of a human being is gonna get his windpipe cut wide open if he doesn't respond to her demands real soon.

"Speak up motherfucker!" Lyra pulled back her blade and instead aimed it directly to his forehead and harshly gripped his throat.

The small sharp tip pierced his skin and a trickle of blood slowly made its way down his face.

"Okay! Okay! Okay! Okay! Please it hurts!" The vagrant cried out, "I-I-I've heard stuff, but I don't buy that stuff! I just like to drink!'

"Give me a name." Lyra growled.

"I don't know! B-b-b-but the there's this couple, real junkies they will know. They have to know!" He exclaimed.

Finally.

She moved her knife away from his head, leaving a tiny gash on his forehead. The small thin line of blood still fresh and now traveling down the side of his nose, he remained still with both hands up as Lyra kept a strong grip on his throat. He was an older man at least by his dirty appearance, but not a major threat. With a body that hasn't had a proper meal in weeks, she can easily end his life at any moment. Pulling her arm back she readied it with the intention to strike him down and bury her knife deep into his face.

"Where are they?"

"They live in an apartment, it's on the next neighborhood right next to a laundromat! I swear they'll tell you everything, that's all I know!" He answered back.

Lyra never lost her glare as she quickly switched hands, the knife back in his throat as she reached out for something in her satchel. In her hand she revealed a couple of folded up paper bills. Holding it with two fingers she presented it to him and motioned for him to accept them.

Cautiously he grabbed the money. Once it was in his hand, Lyra removed the knife from his neck a with the other arm grabbed him from the back of the neck and shoved him away.

"You never saw me." Lyra warned him, her piercing glare having never left.

"Fucking crazy!" He ran away, glad to survive the whole ordeal.

Once he had disappeared out of sight, Lyra relaxed her body. Taking a deep breath she was glad it went well. She did not want to go search for another homeless person for her to harass at knife point. The first guy she found had offered nothing, she gave him a single dollar out of pity. The second guy aka the poor soul she had just threatened with murder at first seemed just as naive as the first, but then the smartass tried to snatch away her satchel. A kick in the nuts and a few good hits to the face later he was held against the fence providing the answer she had been searching for.

Liby had done her research, this side of town was slowly looking worse for wear. Lyra was still planning on scouting the other neighborhoods, but with a potential lead she would halt that progress for now. and focus on this new objective.

As she walked back to the open she looked around and could notice it, even sense it, her town was contaminated and the disease was slowly spreading. The bastards that killed her love were now killing her community. Lemy had confronted them about it and paid the ultimate price, now Lyra would confront them and pay them back in blood.

Her phone gave out a beep, a notification of some sorts. Checking her messages, it was from Loan. Touching the screen, she read it out.

Lupa went to her first session with the therapist today. You should go to. Take care. We miss you.

Lyra stopped on her tracks, reading the message multiple times. She never expected that from her, did she go willingly? Of course she did, else Loan wouldn't be relaying this message to her. Lincoln had actually done something positive for her. Color her impressed, Lupa was too much of an enigma, whoever the person conducting this case would have a hard time getting through her or not at all. Then again, maybe they would treat her sister with more respect than she could ever give her.

Lyra painfully remembered their altercation. She was an absolute scumbag for that one, Lupa had every right to never forgive her. Another punishment added to her list, her damnation was looking more and more justified to the eyes of God. She didn't care anyhow, let her be judged as much as possible, she was fixing things her way. She was happy that Lupa was getting the treatment she deserves, but closed the idea of her attending such meeting. I mean look at her, there's no fixing this, she has accepted her role as a homicidal vigilante.

"Get well sis..." Lyra sorrowfully spoke to the wind.

Right now she walked towards the next location on her list. But before hand, she needed to make a quick detour. If those whom would finally give her a name were a couple of junkies, what's to say they're not going to be very dangerous to confront. At the end of the day she's just an ordinary girl and even worse she's wearing designer clothing for her acts of vigilantism, those two did not add up at all. Opening her city map on the phone, she searched for any nearby clothing stores that would be of use to her. If she's here to deliver death then it's time for her to look the part.

As Lupa waited in the car, Lincoln stayed behind to confront an old friend. It had been almost close to ten years since they last spoke to each other. He was surprised to learn of Clyde's return and even more that he had set up shop here of all places. Personal feelings aside, he sought him out, because he knew that of all the certified psychologists in the world Clyde could get the job done and find a remedy for his daughter. Lincoln had always counted on his former best friend for anything, now he left his daughter in his hands.

Both stood opposite of each other. No words, just silence, a silence so strong you could hear the tension in the room. Looking at him, he looked much like his younger self despite both of them being the same age. Guess fatherhood had taken away Lincoln's youthful looks.

"Lincoln."

"Clyde."

Now together again this was another piece of Lincoln's past he needed to confront. It hurt him when Clyde turned his back on him those many years back, but why wouldn't any person with a rational mind do just exactly that though. It's not an everyday occurence that you discover your best friend is the prime founder of an incestuous polygamy with all nine of his sisters, Lily was the fortunate one to escape such fate, and even worse impregnate each one of them. Deeply appalled Clyde broke all contact with the Loud family and took of for his university studies far, far away from the state of Michigan. One thing was certain, he never said a word against the family, never revealed the dark secret they all shared, that was his last act of goodwill to a friend he once considered his blood brother.

"Your daughter looks beautiful. Pale complexion, but those are the results when you mix the same DNA on an embryo I suppose." Clyde spoke up.

"Right." Lincoln resisted the urge to roll his eyes at him.

Both took their respective seats to commence their private conversation.

"Lincoln.. let me just get it out okay. I'm deeply sorry for your loss. I...no one and I mean no one should ever receive such a cruel fate, especially a young child like your son. No parent should ever out-live their children. Damn the bastards who did this, dead or alive they need to face justice. Your family deserves closure from this unspeakable nightmare." Clyde expressed his deepest condolences to Lincoln.

"...thank you."

At the end of the day despite the rift between them two, the basic human essence of sympathy was still there. They wouldn't be drinking buddies any time soon, but on a professional level they were both equals in each other's eyes.

"She needs help Linc, your daughter is clearly keeping all her pain locked up within, eventually it's going to explode. We don't want that. Based on what you wrote down for her notes, ever since the funeral she's been having minimal, small scale panic attacks. Not too dangerous, but a developing problem non the less. After the horrendous events of that night her mind has started to degenerated. A complete shut in, non existent conversations and lack of appetite...yhe many triggering anxieties, I fear she's developed post traumatic stress." Clyde summarized his evaluation of Lupa.

"That's what I was fearing." Lincoln replied, the anguish clear in his face.

Lupa was mentally damaged and the cure wasn't available at a pharmacy, it needed to be self repaired by the person itself. It could go on for years until she's fully recovered, but for the entire time that it's in full effect she needs to looked after, depression is very dangerous and could lead to unnecessary results.

"Based on the small talk we had, Lupa already had a long list of problems that have been plaguing her short life, her brother's death being the combustion of all that gathered fuel." Clyde explained as Lincoln perfectly listened to him, "I reckon that life at home hasn't been as wonderful as one would expect?"

To this Lincoln gave out a deep sigh, and pinched the top of his nose. He wasn't wrong, Clyde had always been very perspective. With too many kids and most of his sisters only focusing on their own needs, he had gotten overwhelmed. He did what no parent should ever do, he played favorites and those that didn't meet his standards were left in the background, neglected and rejected. He ruined both Lupa and Lemy's chances at having a normal childhood and is solely responsible for them turning out the way they did. God, Lincoln hated himself.

"I'm a shit father, Clyde. Lupa was never a top priority for me...I...how could I push her aside? The moment she started falling behind in school I just... so casually moved on to my next kid. Me and Lucy, what...what is wrong with us?" Lincoln pleaded Clyde for answers.

"I'm not a father Lincoln, not that I know of so far. I am a single child, so I had my parents full loving attention too. But after many years of study and putting said studies to practice I've come to learn and accept that humans are flawed creatures. There is no such thing as perfection, the perfect human being doesn't exist. Very early on we start to make many mistakes, both small and big, insignificant and important. But we learn and despite how terrible the aftermath of our actions are, we can only carry on with the new found knowledge of our past and prevent the same results from resurfacing once more." Clyde gave out his declaration, his strong moral code always ready to assist his patients and anyone in general that needed both emotional and psychological help overall.

Lincoln looked up at his old friend, astonished and touched by his wisdom. Only after his son's death did he realize just how lost he truly was, how strained his family's overall relationship had become. His relationship with Luna was now more complicated with her return and worst of all Lyra, their beloved daughter had lost all sense and turned into a heartless monster, a complete contrast of her former passive self.

"I fear for her, her and Lyra. Aside me and Luna, they're the ones suffering the most." Lincoln added.

"How's your other daughter Linc?" Clyde asked, "She was supposed to attend as well, but it seems plans changed."

Lincoln bit his lip, he didn't even know where she was right now. With her friend Panther obviously, but how was she mentally and emotionally? How was she dealing with everything, what was she currently doing? This were all questions that Lincoln had no answers for, both him and Luna were clueless to their surviving daughter's current status.

"Lyra... she's a cyclone, nothing but destruction in her path. No matter who gets in the way, she is going to tear right through them." Lincoln confided.

"Lupa had given a similar response." Clyde acknowledged.

At a local clothing store, Lyra was collecting various items that would suit her illicit activities. The money she still had from her bloody trip to Detroit would handsomely pay for all this. At the moment she was trying out a pair of black combat boots, feeling them out and testing their sturdiness as she stomped on the floor, sadistically imagining that she was curb stomping someone's head in.

"It appears that her trauma is heavily external, lashing out at anyone and anything while Lupa's was the opposite, keeping the pain only to herself." Clyde's voice loomed over.

Lyra grabbed a pair of black cargo pants and tried them on. Not too skinned tight, but loose enough to allow quick movement, she added them to her shopping list. She grabbed another pair this one dark grey, who knows how much blood may get splattered on the fabric, need to keep fresh clothes. Also included was a new black hooded jacket with a military appeal to it. She went to the register ready to make the purchase, all in cash.

"Both coping methods are bad in either case. The more Lupa bottles up her emotions the more deadly the mental explosion will be and as for your daughter Lyra..."

At a sporting goods store, Lyra with her shopping cart in tow examined the various baseball bats at her disposal. After a lengthy examination she went with the classic wooden bat. On another aisle, she added a pair of black plastic knee pads. Another useful item she sought out was a plastic paintball face mask with a lightly tinted visor. The more her face was covered the better her identity was safe, not like she was planning on leaving anyone alive after getting her hands on them anyway.

Just as she walked away another item caught her attention. Grabbing them off the hook they dangled from, Lyra stared at the fingerless gloves she had in hand. They bore a strong resemblance to the one's Lemy loved to wear. Fond memories of them together blinded her, oh how she missed him dearly. The gloves were great, but they wouldn't do unfortunately, she could not afford to leave any fingerprints behind. Placing them back in place, she grabbed another pair, these ones had a hard rubber surface, perfect for leaving some nasty bruises. Slipping one hand in, it fit perfectly like a glove is meant to be. Clenching her fist, the determination in her eyes burned harder then ever as she envisioned herself cornering those responsible and beating them to a bloody pulp. Wanting nothing more, Lyra was itching to use both her fists and beat them all to death.

"She has transformed into an uncontrollable forest fire, it needs to be put out before it consumes everything in her path."

I'm so happy because today

I've found my friends

They're in my head

I'm so ugly, but that's okay, 'cause so are you

We've broken our mirrors

Sunday morning is everyday for all I care

And I'm not scared

Light my candles in a daze

'Cause I've found god

- I'm going to be taking a break for the month of September. No updates for next month. I'll be back.