I. Feallan


Her whole life, Persephone hadn't exactly expected the rural life to be so peaceful—and she surely didn't expect to flourish while she was there.

She grew up in the city, the buzz and noise of civilization was pleasant in her ears, but that didn't mean it didn't tire her out.

It happened so sudden.

One moment she's able to finish her chores and finish her tasks in her own job, then the next thing she knows is that she didn't have the energy to do anything; she finds herself tired of it all.

Burnout rarely happened, but when it did, she was no match for it

There was a saying and it went like 'Listen to your own body, otherwise it will make you listen' or something like that.

Persephone was familiar with the message for the phrase, but with the world plunge into a pandemic she needed the extra cash in case things go south.

Her mother always told her to be careful when reaching her ambitions, that it might end up doing her harm than good.

But of course, ever the stubborn one that she is, Persephone didn't exactly listen—with the world in shambles, green was important to put food on the table after all.

When her body was rendered useless no matter how hard she tried to push it, she knew she lost the war before she even began to fight against it. The apartment where she stayed at became dull and dead.

There was no warmth left to it.

So, after an impulse decision, she purchased a house in the country side.

And she has yet to regret it.

Her house wasn't big, Persephone could've had a big modern one if she wanted to since her job pays her well, but she loved the aesthetic of having a cottage in the forest with a garden that surrounded her property.

Going to a neighbor would take at least ten minutes before you get to them—the place had low population density.

Low population density meant less people.

It was nice and isolated, away from the buzzing of the city; away from the place that now brought her a headache when it crossed her mind.

It made her feel like her life was hectic and the job she loved felt like a chore, so Persephone finds herself retreating to her cottage. It took a few months, sure, but at least she regained her spark again.

Life was... pretty hectic, in the sense that it provided mirth to the young woman.

She managed two jobs: doing digital artwork commissions and supplying homemade chocolate cookies to the local coffee shop.

It kept her busy, her thoughts functioning, and her pockets filled with money.

Of course, there was the impending doom of having to book therapy sessions at the back of her mind.

Persephone was fully aware that she had her own well of issues and, deep down, the young woman didn't know how deep it actually goes.

She needs help.

After all, if people are able to get help for their wounded flesh, then aiding her mental health shouldn't be different.

However, Persephone was scared.

She didn't know just how whack the way her brain runs and she isn't sure if she wants to know. The possibility of being worse more than she anticipated herself to be frightened her.

So, she avoids it... by busying herself.

If she made an excuse to herself and say "I'll book it next time" over and over again, then it'll be pushed to the back of her mind until someone reminds her or if she—much to her dismay—remembers it.

The day started out wonderfully when the familiar color of gold and orange hues flood her kitchen floor. Long dark curls tickled the skin on her mid thigh as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

Warmth seeps into the place where the light hits and Persephone marvels at the sensation. A sigh leaves her lips as she sniffed the delicious and hot black coffee, loving the way the bitterness warm her insides; the sweetness being the aftertaste.

The room that had been cold and blue, turned bright and warm once the sunlight had risen high enough to illuminate her kitchen.

The sound of her phone ringing caught her attention. "Hello, who are you?" Persephone jokingly asked and chuckled at the frustrated sigh she heard.

"Persephone, how have you been?" Her sister asked. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Maria" Persephone answered after gulping her coffee. "I'm just thinking what I should eat for breakfast. What about you? How are you and mom over there?"

"Please don't let yourself starve, okay?" Maria reminded, hearing her shift on the other line. "As for mom and I... I wish you could've gone with us. You would have loved Paris."

A sad smile formed on her lips. "I know that," Persephone answered, the mug emitting a soft 'clink' when she had set it down. "But you know I can't since I have to fix my head and whatnot."

Persephone wished she could go. She really did. But even she didn't want to travel, she just wanted to be alone.

Away from the world.

Away from everyone.

From everything.

"Oh that reminds me!" Maria exclaimed. "Have you found a psychiatrist?"

What does she tell her? Persephone searched her head for answers. Should she come up with another excuse? Yes! That's a great idea! But what could she say? Her excuses were growing thin and she didn't know what to say that wouldn't backfire–

"Persephone?"

Persephone jumped, remembering the phone and the person she was talking to.

"Um... uh... No, I haven't." She sighed, a breath she didn't even notice she was holding.

There was silence.

Silence.

Like the ones that come just before a smack or a–

"Persephone," Maria said through the phone, catching her attention once more.

"I'm sorry." She immediately blurts out.

With a gulp, in a pathetic way to attempt to remove the lump of her throat, Persephone then says, "I just... I've been so busy, you know? Art commissions and baking chocolate chip cookies then delivering them to the local coffee shop."

There was a pause, one that sent her heart pounding in her chest as the insides of her mouth suddenly run dry.

Why wasn't Maria saying anything?

Was she disappointed in her? Will she scream at her? But she doesn't scream at her. They weren't kids anymore and Persephone is sure that she wouldn't do it again. But what if she starts screaming at her like their aunts did–

"Hey, go easy on yourself okay?" Maria's soft voice pierced through her thoughts. "I'm just asking since you need it too... and I'm worried for you, Sephie. We all are."

Her eyes were on the ceiling, eyes blinking rapidly as she took in a deep breath and forced her voice to be steady. "I know... where's mom and Leon?"

"She's tending the garden while Leon is taking a shit. I, on the other hand, am cooking carbonara." The smugness on Maria's voice makes Persephone gush about how much she missed her sister's cooking.

"Promise me you'll cook me some when you come back?" Persephone said.

With a laugh, her sister answered, "Promise."

"Hey, Sephie!" A silvery deep voice greeted. "We miss you!"

"Hey Leon! You still owe me a new action figure." Persephone reminded cheerfully and snorts when a string of curses followed. "Hey! You broke it, you better replace it."

"Yeah, yeah. I will. Calm down, its just a toy, kid."

"You're gonna catch these hands if you don't."

They talked to one another as if miles of sea and land weren't between them; like they always do when they're together.

Persephone grew up in the Philippines; she and her two older siblings did. It was a scary household.

When her mother found out their father had cheated, she immediately looked for a job to keep them alive and left them in the care of their aunts as she worked oversees.

Leon was her older brother, the oldest and he had a habit of pulling the "I'm older than you" card ever now and then which resulted in her throwing hands with him from time to time.

Maria, on the other hand, is the middle child which makes Persephone the youngest from the three of them. She was often the peace maker whenever the young woman got into a fight with the eldest. There are times when Maria just doesn't even care and just watches them go at it, until of course their aunts would come back from the store or something.

As they grew up, the fights became little until it was non-existent, taking care of each other and making sure to look out for one another. One by one, they left with their mom.

First was Leon since not only was he the oldest but he had already finished studying and achieved his dreams of being a Dentist with his mother. Persephone doesn't know why, but he made it a habit of annoying her by constantly reminding her that the sweets she eat would give her cavities.

Of course, she just tells him to fuck off.

Afterwards, Maria left the nest as she pursued her career as a theatre actress. It was tough, their aunts often said 'You'll never make money in that job. Pick a career that would bring you lots of money.' And Persephone remembers countless of time when her sister would weep and constantly supporting her.

Just the other day, Maria called her to tell her the news that she would be starring as the lead actress.

By the time she was eighteen, her mother, sister, and brother was able to take her from the care of her aunts—much to Persephone's relief. Then, when the four of them are finally together, that's when they told their mother of what their aunts had done.

That was the first time Persephone actually saw her cry out of despair, holding the three of them close to her heart and apologizing profusely.

It wasn't her fault, Persephone knew this.

It was never her fault.

She trusted her sisters, paying them to take care of her children in her house. Persephone knew her mother had not fault. That's why she doesn't forgive her; because what is there to forgive when no wrong was done?

Once she had graduated and got her degree, she immediately dives in as a freelance artist. Then, after discovering her love for baking, she decided to sell home-baked cookies on the side.

And although they were thriving, the three of them had a lot of issues. Her siblings were already seeking the help they need.

Now, it was her turn... and it was a daunting step to take.

"Well, I have to go. The sauce is ready and mom and I will eat." Maria sadly huffs. "Bye, Sephie. Call you later and stay safe!"

"Bye, ate!" Persephone responded. "Say hi to mom from me. You guys keep safe. Oh! I almost forgot, tell kuya Leon he still owes me a new Megatron action figure since he broke it. Putang ina siya."

When the line went dead, the room was suddenly engulfed in silence. It was like that before, but after her hearing her sister's voice Persephone is reminded of their absence.

She wanted to be alone, but she didn't ask to be lonely.

Wiping the dampness from her eye, Persephone looked at the clock. "Well, I might as well eat some bacon."

She spent the entirety of breakfast in the echoing silence of her house.


When she was young, she remembered watching the first Transformers movie back in the year 2007 when it came out.

Persephone loved Barbie, she loved Sailor Moon, and she certainly didn't expect to love Transformers.

She remembered shoving her siblings to the side to get the spot nearest to the television; as near as she can get without getting reprimanded by one of her aunt. Alien robots that could transform into cars to blend in was very cool.

Both her and her brother were avid fans. Oh, but when she saw the Autobot Leader's introduction, that made her obsessed withe franchise and her big fat crush on the Autobot leader blossomed.

Then, Megatron was introduced, and boy was Persephone got struck by Cupid's arrow.

God, most of the fights she had with Leon was because he was teasing her for liking them. But they also bonded by obsessing over the lore, the background of it all. Maria listened to all their discoveries and gushing about how cool and awesome it is.

Persephone remembered begging her mother for an action figure of Optimus Prime, even if it meant she wouldn't get the Barbie doll she wanted on Christmas.

How her brother begged for a Soundwave action figure instead if the Nerf gun he'd been begging since his birthday.

A ringing on her phone pulls her attention from watering the plants. Persephone was in the middle of tending the garden, starting the day after her daily rituals. Setting down the watering pail, Persephone pulls it out of her pocket to see who was calling.

With a grin, she answered, "Oh, did you finally buy a new replacement for my action figure?"

"Am I not allowed to call you just for shits n' giggle?" Leon laughed. "Besides, I wanted to ask you something."

Persephone spat the long curls of her hair out of her mouth when the wind blew. "Alright, shoot." She urged after making sure of her hair was behind her.

"Okay, so I was wondering if it would be okay to visit you? Mom misses you. We know you want space and want to be alone, so I figured I ask you first before we book a flight.".

The wind blows harsher now, the flowers sway in the breeze as the sound of tree branches dance with wind's tune.

"I guess, it's fine." Persephone answered, "How long will you guys be staying over?"

"Two days, if you like."

"Make it a month and I'm set."

"Alright, thanks!" Leon beamed. "Also, I may or may not have the Megatron action figure you've been non-stop yapping about."

Persephone can't help but smirk at the way his voice was filled with exasperation. She could just imagine him rolling his eyes and crossing his arms.

"Don't be pissy about it, you broke my toy."

"I've said it before and I'll say it again. I'm sorry for accidentally knocking Megatron off of your shrine."

Silence.

The young woman was the first one to laugh before her brother followed.

"This is really embarrassing and out of the blue, but do you ever wonder?" And Persephone figured that he was doing some sort of gesture because he was silent.

"Wonder if your farts are considered chemical warfare?" She mused. "No, I never did since it's a fact."

And when Persephone heard him sigh in either disappointment or annoyance, she cackles. Sitting down at the marble bench in the garden as her shoulders shook from laughter.

She calms down with a sigh.

"You done?" Her brother asked, which made her laugh more.

After laughing for what felt like forever, Persephone finally comes down from the high of her joy. "Sorry, sorry. You may continue."

"My sister," Leon dramatically says, pausing for a dramatic effect, "is a bastard."

"Sorry, kuya!" Persephone chirped as she removed her garden gloves. "But it came with the requirements of being your youngest sister."

"I hope mom kept the receipt, I need a new sister."

"The womb has a 'give birth, no return' policy, dude. Sorry, I don't make the rule."

"Figures." Leon laughs. "No, but, I wanted to ask you if you ever think about it? Being in the Transformers universe, I mean."

Persephone tilted her head to the side in confusion as she processed his words, eyes blinking owlishly.

"What made you ask that?" She wonders.

The question was brought up back when they were kids. Persephone wasn't sure where the discussion would head.

"It's just... don't get me wrong, I love the life that we have right now, but don't you find it boring?" Leon asked.

Persephone snorts. "What? Are Maria and I not enough to antagonize your ass?"

"Bitch, you two have no flavor."

"Girl, the three of us are spicy. And that's on what? Fucked up childhood. Periodt."

The two of them fall into pits of laughter, before Leon adds, "No, no, but it's not funny at the end of the day is it it's serious." Then he said to her, "But jokes aside. You and I always thought of what we'd do if we ever end up there."

If she had been younger, Persephone would have said kiss Optimus without a moment if hesitation and hold Megatron's hand or something—a dream that had formed from a the romance fanfictions she had consumed through the years. Her hair sways as the wind blew, coal-colored eyes watching as butterflies littered the garden.

"What would you do if you ever find yourself in that world?" Persephone asked.

"Oh, you know, the usual." Leon chuckled. "Be a cybertronian, because–come on, if you could be a cybertronian, you'd be one. I'd definitely find a way to be a bomb ass transformer." He mused. "And being a menace to society," he added with chuckle.

"I can see that." She laughed.

"And also," he continued, "I'd like to meet Optimus Prime too, because c'mon! Who doesn't want to meet the Optimus Prime?" Persephone snorts as she shook her head at his words. "Oh my god, I could be your wingman if that happens."

It was no secret that Persephone had a huge obsession for Transformers. Or rather, an immense admiration towards two characters that lead opposing factions that were literally waging a war to one another.

Most people, when asked who their ideal fictional crushes, would say an anime character or a movie character. They can agree that said character was hot or attractive. However, Persephone mostly dances around the topic, preferring to keep to herself and just answering in vague questions if asked.

She didn't know why she has a thing for a robot.

"Leon, no!" She cringed, face scrunching and feeling her cheeks warming up. "I am so not gonna talk to you about my crush with Optimus." Persephone rolled her eyes when she heard him laugh on the other side of the line. "Let me guess, you'd want to change your name too?"

"Somewhat?"

"I don't follow."

"Well, it'd be weird if I was a cybertronian in my bi-pedal form and have a human name, won't it?" Leon asked with a 'well, duh' tone that had her chuckling. "When I'm projecting my holoform, my name would still be Leon."

"Jeez, all this time you still don't know what cybertronian name you'll get?" Persephone grins. "Sheesh!"

"I'll probably join the Decepticons too."

"Soundwave?"

"Soundwave."

She laughs at his answer. "Soundwave is cool, don't get me wrong. However, consider this... Megatron looks mighty fine."

"Yah, yah!" Leon barked. "We all know you've got the hots for big, strong, and eyes a flaming gold type of men." He snickered. "Come on, you've been telling Maria and me non-stop how you adore him and Optimus ever since we watched the first movie. Don't get me started in the way you talk about them."

"Oh? Care to tell how do I talk about them?" Persephone playfully chirped, crossing her legs as a bee lands on her knee.

Carefully, she offers her hand to the insect to which it slowly climbed the tip of her finger before it flew off. Her head follows where it went to disappear in her climbing flowers and that's when she noticed the dark clouds on the horizon.

It'll rain soon, Persephone thought.

"You talk about them as if they hung the sun, moon and the stars up in the Heavens for you," Leon teased and she could just picture him with a shit-eating grin.

She opens her mouth to reply and closed them after.

After a long pause, Persephone finally replied, "You say that like it's a bad thing."

The two of them share a laugh.

"What about you?" Leon brought the question back up again. "What would you do if you ever end up there?"

"Probably live a normal life," Persephone answered. "Don't get me wrong, the adventure would be fun and my younger self would be so happy, but I don't think its worth it."

"What do you mean?" Leon asked, confused.

"If I end up there and go out of my way to meddle in their affairs, I'd get caught in their crossfire." She scowls, shaking her head. "I'd be a greenhorn in the middle of a fucking battlefield."

And Persephone can hear his squawks of protest on the other line. "But don't you want to be a cybertronian too? We'd unleash Hell on Earth, sis. It'd be bonkers as fuck."

"Oh, that does sound like fun." Persephone hums. "But I like being human too. I'd miss my hair, my lashes and everything that's associated with being one."

"And what if it meant meeting Megatron or Optimus Prime?'

"That'd be fun, but I don't want to change anything about myself or let myself get dragged into that mess."

He booed at her. "My god, you're so boring."

"I know, but..." Persephone huffs, standing up once she feels one of her leg falling asleep. "You need to think more carefully about who you bring into a war, Leon. Not everyone is meant to be a soldier."

"Wow, as the gremlin of the family, I didn't think you'd be so docile! But let's say you do get thrown into that world and you don't have a choice but be a part of it, what would you do?"

And without a moment of hesitation, she replied, "Find a way to revive Cybertron and find a way to, somehow, stop the war."

"Wow, I didn't expect that."

"What? Did you expect me to say? Cause more bloodshed and be the reason that both factions unite to stop me?"

Leon laughs at the other side of the line. "Honestly, yes. I mean, who beats people up until their face are bloody and nose is broken back in middle school? You. Not to mention, I had to break one of your dolls before because you kept whacking me with them, you bitch."

"It's because you shouldn't do shit like that!" Persephone hiss at the phone. "You'd use me as target practice for your Nerf guns. Throw shit, get hit."

"It's just soft sponge and a small plastic at the end! It wasn't that bad!"

"My Barbie dolls are made from plastic, dumbass. It wasn't that bad."

"Touché."

"You're so annoying, I swear."

"Hey, what kind of older brother would I be if I didn't pissed you off every now and then?" There's a voice in the background which belonged to Maria, he replied that he'd wash the dishes after the call. "I gotta go, punk. I'll be in touch when I can."

"Okay. I love you."

"Love you too."

Persephone hears silence as the line goes dead.

As a child, it's cool and awesome to see things explode or watch robots fight each other. But growing up, you realize how terrifying it is.

You get to watch it through the eyes of an adult—it's not real, yes, but how mortifying would it be if it was? Cybertronians are species that feel things the same as a human.

Imagine all the pain that they had to go through because of the war.

Not only that. It would also just be a fleeting thing in her life.

Persephone is aware that cybertronians live way longer than humans. If she ever did end up there, then she'd be dead weight.

Because no matter how tough or capable she is of getting out of fights unscathed, a war is different from your run of the mill fights.

It'll be a very long fight and Persephone isn't sure if she'd even live long enough, if it happened.

She continues to tend to her garden, letting her brother's words go through her brain—processing it.

My god, he's still childish! The young woman snickers.

It's as if he's waiting for a rift in space to occur that would somewhat bend the laws of science and logic, then be magically transported into a world where Cybertron exists.

Now that she thinks about it, how long had she been a fan of Transformers?

Persephone can't remember but she knew at some point her admiration to the franchise had somewhat dwindle. The fandom seemed dormant, seeing as it wasn't as loud as it was back in it's glory days.

Friends online that had bonded with her over their love for Transformers had moved on from the phase, while others had remained offline—Persephone did wonder what happened to them.

What a shame, really.

Like many, she too had set it aside and invested herself in other active fandoms.

If she were able to meet her younger self, her younger self would curse her for not becoming a mechanic.

Persephone laughs at the silly thought.

Back when she wasn't twenty-three, when she was just a teen and wanted to be a part of the Transformers world.

It made her cringe when both her and her brother would pray and do all kinds of rituals that had her sighing in relief that no one witnessed it.

Otherwise, they would have thought they had been possessed or something given that their aunts were too superstitious.

She remembered how she stood in the corner of family gatherings since she was reading a very, spicy smut with a poker face but stifling a squeal if the characters she adores and ship would hold hands.

But looking back, all Persephone can do was laugh at how absurd and silly she was. It was funny how both her and her brother wanted to be a part of it.

Growing up, she had grown to accept it would never happen.

That it was simply a form of escapism.

A means of entertainment.

It tugs at her heartstrings in a dull pain, but it was simply the truth.

And yet...

A part of her kept longing to experience that kind of adventure, somehow.


By the time Persephone was done with the artwork she was commissioned to do, the sun had long since set and rain had fallen from the skies—specifically, it was twelve in the morning.

A yawn escaped her lips as she stretched her limbs and stood up to lay down on her bed, body instantly relaxing at the comfort of the mattress. Sleeping would be the logical step to take, but her mind was still wide awake and Persephone decided there's one thing to do.

She's channeling her inner Purble Place Bakery abilities and demolishing the kitchen.

Persephone grabbed all the ingredients she needed for her home-baked desserts. Unfortunately, much to her dismay, she didn't have milk. Her pantry was stocked with everything except milk.

Persephone could just bake tomorrow morning where it's bright and, hopefully, without the rain.

But she really, really wanted to bake.

So, Persephone got dressed—slipped into a simple white flowy dress that stopped at least an inch above her knees, tying the spaghetti straps of the fabric neatly afterwards. Her outfit showed off her warm beige skin, the clothing snug to her waist comfortably.

She loved the cold air and rain, but in case it got too much, her hands snatched the fluffy bunny jacket just right beside her door. Pitting the fabric in plastic before tossing it at the front basket.

After making sure her doors are locked, she heads out

The garden outside her house was massive.

It wasn't that big, but it wasn't that small either. Although it does appear to be massive due to the various plants that flourished there. Several people had passed by her house, wondering if she was selling flowers in which she said she wasn't.

She didn't mind.

If anything, Persephone wanted to sell flowers, but she didn't know where to start, and she had commissions to finish too as well as cookies to deliver; it'll only be hectic.

So, she didn't pursue that path.

Not yet.

By the time she was outside, taking her bike out of her property, something seemed off. A little voice at the back of her head tells her to go right back inside and just stay still in it, but she pushed it away.

Then again, that was the same voice that literally told her to put her hand in a blender.

So, naturally of course, she wasn't going to listen to it.

Closing the flower-covered gates, the vines swinging as she did so, and locking it properly she kept the key at her front picket. Persephone turned on the headlights as well as the rear lights to her humble bike, and placed her belongings in the front basket, before she took off in the night.

The trip to the store was uneventful, grabbing what she needed and grabbed a few chips on her way to the cashier.

After securing her purchases at the rear basket of the bike, she set sail back home.

The breeze was cold and relaxing, the fake flowers that decorated her bike's basket swayed with it; Persephone doesn't look on the ground, she looks ahead so as to not lose her balance.

A smile spreads on her face, her shoulders slumping a bit as her tight grip on the bike lessened a bit. It was nice to ride a bike in the wee hours of the morning.

There was just something so peaceful with being awake late at night while the world slept, she could admire it in its most beautiful state.

The night sky above her was vast as stars littered, forming a sea of glitters. Her heart soars, skips a beat, at the beauty in front of her.

Moments like these made her feel at ease, allowing her to forget the daily responsibilities of life. She felt like she could fly, like she could grow her own wings and soar the clouds as the wind blew stronger.

The rain was present, pouring down on her as she pedalled past a field, her eyes admiring the scenery that surrounded her and bits of stars peeked through the thin veil of mist.

The cold breeze blew, letting goosebumps break across her skin.

A frown blossoms from her lips as a thought presents itself to her.

How many shooting stars had she seen and how many times had she wished upon them? How many had yet to come true? The one wish she had was always the same, even when she was younger: Meet both Optimus Prime and/or Megatron.

Such a simple wish, especially when her feelings for them blossomed into a school girl crush.

God it was embarrassing to think she'd actually bargain with whatever deity—if there was one—that listened to her prayers just to see them.

It felt weird to finally look at reality's face and see how weird her antics were.

She fondly remembers fantasizing doing silly things with them.

Daydreaming of running around in the base with the 'Bots or maybe committing arson with the 'Cons; things that could never happen.

Perhaps she just wasn't over it, really.

The high she experienced when reading fanfictions of them and built up scenarios in her head was something she couldn't forget.

Frankly, it felt like that could've been the happiest she was in her life, despite it not being real.

In a way, it felt bittersweet to her.

Persephone knows she's growing old, she doesn't have a choice whether she wants to age or not. It felt strange to her, to suddenly be aware of her own existence.

That her, a human so tiny, exists on a planet.

She sighed, thinking about her life up until the present. Riding her bike in the streets, looking at the sky, fulfilling her cute little cottage life aesthetic, and traveling.

It was a nice life, Persephone couldn't ask for more.

However, in about sixty or seventy years, she'd be gone. Dead, like most humans do when they reach a certain age. And no one would notice her disappearance. The fields would still be fields, the flowers would still bloom, and the stars would continue to shine ever so brightly—the world would continue to thrive.

It was normal to die, Persephone had came to accept that in her early teen years.

Hell, she didn't even think she'd still be alive at the age of twenty-two, but she is.

And the concept of death doesn't scare her, but it's process. Was there really an afterlife? Or does everything just go black?

She didn't know.

But what she does know is that it's terrifying.

Persephone believed that nothing and yet everything matters. A part of her wanted to run in the fields, start over with a new identity, and pretty much achieve her own meaning of freedom and away from societal expectations. However, she knew she couldn't just drop her responsibilities even if she wanted to.

What does it feel like to die?

Was there really a god?

She was torn between wanting to have kids and not having one.

And on the subject matter of having kids, would she even have a partner? Romance wasn't real, it's a concept created by humans to help them cope with their existence—to give meaning to the bond they feel with their partners. The human race was wired to always be with a companion, an illness in the brain to tie them down to the herd.

Would she also succumb to that later on in life?

Who was kidding? She was succumbing to it already, what with the loneliness creeping out of her chest.

Familial and friendly love was nice, but it wasn't going to fulfil that part of her heart that craved romantic love.

Romance hit different, that or because she was a hopeless romantic.

But having a partner was hard work, misunderstanding was common, fights and screaming her lungs out wasn't worth it, and constantly begging for their attention was draining—it's only toxic. And then what? She's left alone, drinking and would drown herself in alcohol just to feel numb?

As fun as it was to feel something, Persephone was getting tired of the constant cycle of having to put the pieces back together of whatever it is that's left of her heart.

"Shit!"

A yelp escaped her lips as her bike slid out of her control and her tumbling on to the wet ground. When she finally stilled, Persephone felt the wet grass beneath her; white dress stained with soil.

Catching her breath, Persephone slowly sat up. Her knees were scraped and so were her hands, but her knees had a gash to it. She looked around for her bike, only to see it lying on its side, the other half hanging on to the dirt road that was elevated from the field she was in.

Persephone was soaked from the rain and it would've been fine, but the stain on her clothes ruined the fun. Good thing she was on her way home.

Immediately she went to her bike, relieved that her goods were still safely secured on the bike.

Riding a bike tonight wasn't so bright for me, She thought to herself as she gathered her belongings and pulled her bike up to it's wheels.

Persephone immediately takes her purse and shove it in the large picket of her dress, before wearing the jacket she had brought with her. The cloth providing warmth temporarily before it gets drenched as well.

Her hands tried to turn on the rearlight to her bike, but it wasn't working.

She checked the headlights, but it wasn't working either—the tips of her fingers brushing against cracked glass.

A sigh escapes her lips.

The rain got stronger, it poured loudly from the sky. It felt like she was under a shower at this point and she closed her eyes, hand on her temples as she took in a breath.

"Could this day get any worse?" Persephone grumbled. "Fuck–"

'HONK!'

Head snapping to the direction where the sound came from only to be blinded by white. She felt a brief moment of pain that seemed to grow slowly from her side, the world seemed to go in in a blur

Then nothing.


End of Chapter I


Translations:

ate - honorifics for your older sister in Tagalog

kuya - honorifics for your older brother in Tagalog

Putang ina siya - That motherfucker


Author's note:

Wow. Oh my god I finally did it! *drops dead on the floor*

No, but serioriously, I wanted to make it better for you guys who had enjoyed the previous version of the story. I'll be deleting the last one down the line too.

Thank you for your support and your patience for my sudden disappearance since the impromptu cut off. I've decided to take my time with this story and not rushing into it like I did before.

Thank you so, so, so much. Really.

Also, let me know what you think? Your support and feedbacks means a lot to me.

O w O

—Stwawbewwy