Chapter 24: Buried Secrets (Part 2)
The sound of static filled my ears as I waited for a clear picture of the first video recording and finally, the same computer voice calls out.
"Video Recording #1 - May 1993."
Once that finished, the screen comes to life and the image of several scientists appears, gathered in a circle like in a meeting. All had serious looks on their faces and they were focused on the one male scientist in the middle of their circle.
"Welcome everyone to Project Ironclad. My name is Dr. Jones and I'm the head of this project. I know that some of you were not properly informed of what the objective of this project is. I've been given instructions to get all of you updated but this is confidential so there will be no talk of this outside of the facility or else it will result in immediate termination and any other course of action that is deemed necessary."
All of the scientists perked up their head and nod in unison, clear about the rules of confidentiality. I watched as Dr. Jones walks around the room to make sure everyone was paying attention. As the video gets a close view of him, I suddenly recognized his face when I met him one time in the labs. It's my mother's husband. Robert. That's him!
I didn't say anything to the others though. I was so focused on these videos that nothing else existed. As soon as Dr. Jones goes back in the middle of the circle, he clears his throat and fixes his lab coat before proceeding.
"Alright. Now . . . Project Ironclad was formed in 1987 when a survivor named Alan Schaefer aka Dutch had reported a strange humanoid creature that killed most of his crew. We've sent some of our men to investigate but the creature was destroyed by some bomb. All we have obtained was traces of its blood that we managed to preserve for future studies."
Dr. Jones put his hands to his back and strolled around like he was a teacher in a room with incompetent students.
"From this, we fear that the possibility of more of its kind will come to Earth since they possess technology beyond our grasp. So Stargazer is finding a way to prevent any more deaths like the ones that occurred six years ago."
He presses a button on some small device in his hand that pulls down a huge paper screen and then, an image of a Yautja emerges with armor and everything.
"This is what we need to fight against. These things, which we call a predator, hunt for sport and tracks its prey like a game. They are stronger and faster than any human and can overpower us in a fight. If more come, then we are all doom."
Several of the scientists shake in fear while others tremble a bit at seeing such a hideous sight. Dr. Jones smirks upon observing their reactions until continuing on.
"So, what can we do to fight them off? We've tried building new technology that surpasses modern ones and even augmented several subjects but it's not enough. Their technology is too far advanced for that."
He pauses for a moment until he begins to say some interesting information that sparked my attention.
"But what if instead, we take their strength and make it our own? And that is where Project Ironclad comes it."
He clicks the little device again and several pictures that had DNA strands all over.
"It will consist of creating hybrids between human and Predator through gene splicing and manipulation, creating the perfect supersoldier that will equal to that of our enemy. It will take lots of research and effort but we hope that if successful, we will bring to an end the threats of these aliens once and for all. And we will become the superior race this universe has ever seen."
All the scientists sound in agreement and converse with each other on how the project will make them famous and such. After a few moments, Dr. Jones calls for silence.
"The rest of the details will be explained to you once you have your duties in this project. So get some rest and we will meet back here tomorrow. This meeting is adjourned."
He dismisses everyone and all the scientists walk out. But then the video stops and the voice calls out.
"End of Video Recording #1."
That video made sense. I was a hybrid of the two species and I knew that I had some connection with Project Ironclad. I was just glad that there was some concrete truth to it. When it ended, I realized that I was holding my breath in anticipation for more. I huffed quickly so that I could get oxygen back into my head. Rory turns his head around to look at me.
"Do you want to see more?"
"Yes. Keep going."
I answered immediately. Please . . . go on. Rory nods and presses more codes and another video begins to play.
"Video Recording #2 - August 1996."
A new image pops up to show a lab with several scientists working with too many tubes to count and they were bustling around in panic and frustration. I can only guess that something was going wrong for them. With a loud bang, a door opens and who I saw pass them sent my blood burning. Traeger . . .
"What is the progress on the hybrid embryos?"
Traeger didn't sound happy and one of the working scientists rushes to him, looking worse for the wear and trembling as if something went horribly.
"I'm sorry Director . . . but the embryos didn't survive the gestation process in the incubators."
"Then tell me why. This is the twentieth time that this has happened."
Traeger didn't shout but his menacing tone probably made the scientist pee his pants, seeing him tremble even more and begin to stutter with his words.
"We don't . . . know. No matter . . . what we do . . . the two genes . . . keep . . . rejecting each other. We've tried . . . multiple times . . . with different techniques but . . . they're not . . . compatible with each other."
Suddenly, Traeger grabs the scientist's collar and forces his face close to his. Even from a video, I could sense the tension between them and I struggled to keep my anger in check.
"I gave you three years and thousands of dollars to make progress with this. But instead, I only get complaints and excuses in return. That's why I'm bringing a new member to join you."
Traeger shoves him far away and all the scientist could do was cower on his knees. Before long, the door opens from behind and two more scientists walk in. I recognized Robert Jones from before but then when I saw the other figure, I gasped. My mother walked next to her husband and stopped in front of Traeger. He then greeted Robert with a firm with a handshake.
"Good afternoon Dr. Jones. I'm glad you could come."
"It's my pleasure. I brought my wife with me as you requested."
"Aww. Dr. Mia Jones. It's a pleasure to meet you officially."
Traeger firmly shakes her hand in greeting and she gives a genuine smile to him.
"No, it's my pleasure to be welcomed into the project. I hope I don't disappoint you."
"I do hope so. These fools I'm surrounded by don't have any clue as to what they are doing. They are more useful as cleaning crew than actual scientists."
Traeger turns his head to glare at the scientist from before who was still on the floor but one look from Traeger and he was out of there in a flash. Traeger puffs in frustration but changes his expression quickly into a warm one.
"I understand that you are an expert in genetics am I right?"
My mother nods. "Yes, I do."
"Good. Then let's get started. Your husband can give you all the details on Project Ironclad. Good luck."
Traeger walks between them and heads for the door. My mother and Robert both looked at each other and smiled genuinely. Happy to be in each other's company and the video fads after that.
"End of Video Recording #2."
I had to use my thoughts to blink for a bit after watching that. Brackett was the first one to speak out before I could.
"So . . . Project Ironclad was meant to create hybrids but none succeeded."
No one said anything but I kept my back towards her. I still had anger building in me and I didn't want to cause any fights today. Brackett continues.
"But you're here so it must have worked. What was different with you?"
Again, I refused to answer but more like I didn't have an answer, to begin with. She must have seen my body begin to shake since I didn't hear any more from her. So my mother was part of the project. I knew that she was a scientist but part of what I was in . . . this doesn't make sense.
"Keep going."
Rory didn't hesitate like last time and began to play the next video and the voice calls again.
"Video Recording #3 - October 1998."
The video appears and the beginning of it was similar to the last recording with scientists busy on work on some benches. But then, in the middle of the room, a huge, humanoid-sized incubator stood with light, green fluid bubbling inside. When I looked a little closer, I noticed a small blob was inside it. Tubes were attached to it and it kind of freaked me out but it was very familiar for some reason.
Soon, Traeger comes walking in with my mother and Robert beside him. They stopped just as they were only inches from the incubator and Traeger calls to the group of scientists that were near.
"How's the fetus?"
One scientist that was monitoring the incubator came strolling over with a clipboard in hand. He greeted all three of them with a handshake and then proceeded.
"Everything is stable. The gene splicing was successful and now, we have a live fetus that has passed gestation. It's amazing that we were able to accomplish this."
"It's all thanks to Dr. Mia Jones that we even got to this point. I must congratulate you for this feat."
The reaction in her face was not what I was expecting. For someone to get congratulations, one would be in joy. Instead, she just gave a fake smile and lowered her head as if trying to hide.
"It was nothing. I don't—"
"Don't worry Dr. Jones. You deserve it. Now, with this . . . we can finally move forward into a new era. One where mankind will be superior to all."
Traeger looked like he just won a Nobel Prize and patted my mother on her shoulder, making her look uncomfortable. The anger inside began to twist my stomach and I tried hard to not show it to the others, especially Lar'ja.
"So, have you created an I.D. for it?"
"Yes, sir. We marked it as Subject #T49320. We will keep monitoring if anything changes."
"You better. Because if it dies, then you will pay the price."
The scientist quivered a bit but recovered his composure, nodding slightly at him before taking off. The video ends with Traeger smiling at Robert and my mother who was still looked uncomfortable, which I wondered why.
"End of Video Recording #3."
When the video ended, I couldn't help but look down at my arm that contains the numbers on it. I realized that it was the same as on the video and I put the connection together. So that was me.
I started at my tattoo for so long that McKenna had to place my hand on my shoulder and shake it a bit, snapping me from my own thoughts.
"Are you alright, Anya?"
It took me a second but I looked up towards McKenna and just stared, nodding slightly and McKenna slowly let's go. I was able to catch a glimpse of everyone and they all had the same expression of worry and shock from watching the videos. I took a risky look at Lar'ja and he just stood like a statue, making it hard for me to know what was going inside his head.
"We can stop if you like Anya. Let you rest for a while."
As much as I wanted to take that offer, something inside told me to keep on going. That there was more to find out.
"No. I'm all good. Let's continue."
I moved back to Rory and gave him a look that conveyed determination on my part. Rory knew and shook his head in agreement. He types on the panel but then the screens pop up a message saying that access was denied.
"What wrong Rory?"
"It looks like some of the files are corrupted but I can fix it. It will take time though. But I found something else."
My curiosity perked up and leaned over Rory to see what he found.
"It's some kind of video log but formatted differently. Looks more like a journal."
"Who's is it?"
Rory begins typing swiftly that it was hard for me to keep up with his moving fingers. He types and types until he stops abruptly. When I was about to ask what was going on, I stopped when I saw Rory's face twist like he just saw a ghost.
"Rory?"
"It belongs to Mia Jones. It's hers."
My body moved quickly and I looked more closely to the panel. It had a lot of gibberish and stuff but her name kept popping up at every page. My mother . . . What do you have to say? My anger was still there but it helped to fuel my determination. My heart though began to beat fast but thankfully, not enough that would cause my body to react and then everyone would know. They were already worried about me . . . I need to stay strong.
"Let me see it."
Unlike last time, Rory stayed silent and hadn't moved an inch. I figured that he must have been concerned about me going into something more personal. I was growing impatient and snapped.
"Let me see it!"
His small body jerked and fear crept into his face and I was starting to regret it. But my emotions were taking control. Rory quickly presses some codes and then the first video of my mother's journal comes up.
"Log #23 of Mia Jones - September 1998."
The face of my mother was first to pop up except she was crying. She was on her hands and knees, weeping uncontrollably as she was being held by Robert who was trying to calm her down. Why is she so sad?
"Mia . . . I'm so sorry. Please don't cry anymore. There's nothing that we've could have done."
His voice took on a mournful tone but my mother just shoved him away, getting on her feet. Her cheeks were burning and her eyes were completely red where the white should be.
"You don't know that! I could have done something to save her! I just watched as her life faded away! It's my duty to protect her and I failed!"
My mind was getting scrambled like it was being put into a meat grinder. What is she talking about? Who's she?
Robert comes closer with his arms out as if to embrace her. My mother stepped back a bit but stuck to where she was before Robert wrapped his arms around her, holding her with all his might.
"You think I don't know? It was also my duty to protect her as well. She's also my daughter. But we can't fight everything that is beyond our control."
My mother began to cry again. She wraps her arms around his back and gripped hard.
"But she was so young. She was just a baby. When I found out that she had pneumonia, I did everything I could to make her better. All that work . . . and she was just . . . gone. I loved her . . . My poor Maya."
My mother didn't hold back anymore and cried so loud that even my ears could feel the sting from just the video. Robert just rubbed her back in order to soothe her.
"I know . . . I know . . ."
And the video stops after that.
"End of Log #23 of Mia Jones."
I couldn't move. I was stunned by what I heard from the video log and I tried to sort through my memories about this but nothing came up. She had a daughter? This was long before I was born. She never mentioned Maya before.
"I didn't know . . ."
As I stood there, Brackett was the one who came to my side and watched me with concern. Probably I was showing that I was in shock but I couldn't blame myself but she didn't say anything. I was getting into something deep but I wanted to know more.
"Show me more."
And again, Rory puts types again and another video begins.
"Log # 35 of Mia Jones - October 1998."
Again, the video only showed my mother and Robert but instead of them holding each other, they started to argue with each other. The anger was mostly radiating off of him though.
"Are you out of your fucking mind!? Do you realize what you have done?!"
My mother's body was shaking violently between rage and fear. She was definitely not happy but also, I could sense guilt as well and that confused me all the more.
"I couldn't stand it. I just wanted to see my daughter again. To see Maya. So I thought that this would work. And it did. We can finally have her back."
"But like this!? This isn't bringing her back! You're trying to play God with something you don't know!"
Robert was fuming and looked like he was ready to snap any moment. My mother just stood her ground but then tears started to form and flowed down her cheeks. It was getting out of hand as Robert keeps going.
"You think that by taking our daughter's DNA and using it for this project is the way to go?! That 'thing' will just be a clone. Not even a living being! And if Stargazer gets words of this, then we are fucked!"
My mother's posture changed instantly and she screamed at him with all her might.
"Don't say that about Anya! You don't know that!"
I jumped when I heard my name go through my mother's lips.
"Oh, now you even named it?! It's still a fetus and might not even make it! As far as I know, it'll probably die before it's born and it should! Better to get rid of it early!"
As fast as lighting, my mother slaps him hard across his cheek, The sound of the impact made me cringe for a moment but my eyes never diverted from the video. I was frozen to it. Her voice went lower in volume but it seethed with rage.
"You son of a bitch. I don't know you anymore."
"And you're out of your fucking mind."
Before he could say any more, Robert twists around fast and stomps out of the room, leaving my mother to drop to her knees and scream out her lungs, curling into a fetal position and weeping before the video fades.
"End of Log #35 of Mia Jones."
There was only silence.
Everything around me just stopped. Even my mind has disappeared from me. My emotions were frozen and my body became numb. For what I just saw, I truly believed that my own apocalypse had arrived.
So I'm a clone? I'm only here because my mother wanted to bring her dead daughter back to life? Is she even my mother now? My mother lied to me. Everything . . . was a lie.
"Anya."
I could sense Lar'ja coming closer to me, reaching out to me but I twisted too fast for him and I backed off a few steps. Both my breathing and heart were going too fast but the ache inside my chest was becoming unbearable.
Lar'ja tried to get closer and my anger boiled over, thinking of everything that I found. I thought I knew myself but I was wrong. Just knowing that made me go crazy and I just snapped. I screamed at him, causing him to stop in his tracks.
"Don't come near me!"
Lar'ja stays still but held his ground, trying to reach me.
"Anya. Please . . . You're angry. Just forget about this. I'm begging you."
He sounded like he was in mourning but I ignored it. The ache in me grew worse mixed with rage and I couldn't contain it anymore. I let out everything that I tried to contain and screamed so loud that everyone, including Rory, jolted back a few steps like a bomb just went off.
"Forget? You didn't just find out that you're just some clone of a dead person and the mother you cared and loved lied to you. Made you so that she could have her daughter back! And the worst part, she watched as I went through Hell and back and did nothing! She knew! And she didn't tell me shit!"
My body began to burn and my nerves tingle everywhere. All my emotions were mixing together chaotically and I had lost control. My reason went out of the window and I let my instinct take over.
Everyone just stared at me with fear but couldn't say anything at all. All they did was watch.
"You don't get to tell me what to do! You know nothing! I'm just—"
But then, a sharp pain went through my back and I yelped, dropping to my knees and clawing on the broken floor. I knew this pain and it was confirmed when the familiar movement of my back extending began. I saw the skin on my hand changed into the same, dark green blotches and scales begin to form along with my nails turning into claws. My face was down to the ground so I couldn't see anyone's faces but I heard gasps and Brackett yells out.
"Shit! She's transforming again!"
I heard footsteps coming towards me but I didn't want them near. Ignoring the pain, I scrambled to my feet, using my anger as my strength and I moved towards the door, leaning on it for support. I tried to catch my breath but the pain came through once more. I dropped again and began to scream.
"Anya. Please stop this."
I struggled to get back on my feet and I turned my head to look at Lar'ja who was standing there. I wanted to ignore him but my scent of smell was becoming stronger. Probably from me transforming and that sweet rain came through. I suppressed a moan and I knew that I needed to get out of here. Before something worse happens.
I looked around and there was a small opening in the ceiling above me that we didn't notice before. I didn't hesitate to use it. With all the strength in my legs, I bent my knees and leaped up, making contact with the hard concrete but it felt like nothing. I pushed through the rubble and when the cold air hits my skin, I jumped off the building ran as fast as I could into the forest.
"ANYA!"
That is all I could hear. Still, Lar'ja's voice echoed in my head and it only made me all the angrier. I can't go back. I can't . . .
My back kept extending and I grunted in agony but my anger fueled my body to keep running. My skin changed to dark green blotches with the lighter green color underneath. My legs and arms got thicker and then, my cheek began to protrude and my mandibles emerge. The hair on my head grew thicker and my nails became like claws, piercing into my palms. And finally, my vision changed from color to heat vision. When the pain subsided, I ran even faster and with one huge breath into my chest, I roared.
I was in my Yautja form now and thoroughly pissed off.
The coldness of the air numbed my body and my legs began to falter but I kept pushing. As hard as I could and my heart was racing almost a thousand miles per an hour. I just kept running. And running. And running. I didn't know where I was going but all that I wanted was to run from my Hell.
But then, out of the corner of my eye, a figure was running on my side, zipping through the trees. The heat signature only showed blotches of mostly bright red and orange but from the size, I knew it wasn't human. I wished that I could have my normal vision back and right on cue, my body listened and I could see colors again.
As soon as I could see in detail, I became stunned when it was Lar'ja who was trying to catch up with me. I didn't need this shit. I was too pissed and if anyone got near me, I could imagine that they would either end of seriously injured or dead. I roared at him so he could get my message.
"Get the pauk (fuck) away from me!"
I was a little stunned when my voice called out in clicks and roars instead of in the human language. It didn't make a difference. He knew what I was saying but my hope that he would back off were dashed when he ran closer to my side.
"Anya! Please come back! Please!"
Again, he sounded like he was mourning, pleading to me like the sound of a bell calling. Somewhere, deep in my heart, I wanted to go to him. To comfort him. But right now, nothing could stop me and I was ready to rip his head apart.
"Anya! Please!"
That's it!
Fueled by anger and rage, I stopped mid-run for a split second before I twisted my legs so I could leap to my side and into the direction of Lar'ja. He stopped as well but didn't have time to react as my body collided with his like two boulders crashing together. The impact sent both of us flying and over a small ledge that covered the side of the river. I would have thought that both of us would end up in the river but we made it to the other side, slamming into the dirt. We separated and both of us rolled before our bodies stopped.
I groaned a little from it. My molten skin burned from skidding across while my legs ache and my arms bruised. But with unknown strength that I had, I got my feet back on solid ground and faced Lar'ja. He was still recovering but I gave him no time. I just wanted to beat up something and he was the only thing in my sight.
I took off running at him. As he managed to get back on his feet, I placed a hard, front kick into his abdomen and he yelped in pain. But I wasn't done with him yet. Before his body could recoil back far, I ran forward and grabbed one of his shoulders, pulling my fist behind me before I connected it with the side of his mask, making his head turn sharply and his mask falls off.
And then, I punched him again, venting all of my anger at him with incredible force that he started to bleed from his inner mouth and some from his mandibles. When I was tired of this, I grabbed his neck and swung him pinning him high above a tree by the throat.
I huffed deeply to replace the air that I lost but the anger was still inside me, having not relented at all. I stared into his bright yellow eyes that were struggling to keep open. The sounds of his desperate attempt to take a breath echoed and his chest quivered but I didn't let go. I was too angry to let it go.
"Why? Why are you following me?!"
He began to choke a little bit, trying to say something until he managed to do so.
"You . . . need . . . to calm down. This . . . isn't . . . worth it."
"What's not worth it? You have no idea what I've been through!"
"No . . . I do. You're . . . hurt and I . . . worry for you. I feared that . . . you won't . . . be able . . . to handle it."
He's seriously doubting me!? After everything that has happened!? Between Stargazer, the Bad Blood and the group. And between me and him!? Me and him . . .
I tightened my grip in his throat and he reacted, gasping for more air that barely coming to him. He had no idea of what this makes me feel and I wanted him to know.
"Fuck you! You didn't just found out that your mother created you as a replacement for a recently deceased child! I'm only a husk of what was once alive! I'm not even a real, fucking person! And then I was tortured for something I didn't know but everyone else did and even lied to your face! All my life, I thought that I knew who I was and now . . ."
I struggled to get those last bit of words out of my throat. And then I shockingly noticed that tears were streaming down my mandibles. I had no idea if a Yautja could even cry but apparently, I can. You're a hybrid. Remember? My voice began to quiver.
"Now . . . I don't know who I am anymore. I'm all alone"
My grip on his throat loosened a bit so he could breathe properly but still enough to keep him in his place. I stared straight into Lar'ja's eyes and I could see a faint reflection of myself. A Yautja reeling in pain and sorrow. I was disgusted by that. I'm hideous.
Lar'ja tried to clear his throat and spoke out weakly towards me, keeping contact with my eyes.
"You're not alone. You have Rory and McKenna. Brackett. Nebraska. Nettles. Coyle and Baxley. Lynch . . . And me."
I didn't say anything. I just watched and waited for what he was going to say next.
"We all care for you. You were never alone. I worry and want to keep you safe. I will never abandon you. I will always be at your side."
I was starting to feel the calmness seep into me but my anger wasn't completely gone. I still wasn't confident that he means what he said. I breathed harshly for a minute before I took the air into my lungs to ask him.
"How do you know that you can keep such a promise?"
Lar'ja didn't say anything and I was losing my patience. I roared in his face.
"How do you know!?"
"Because I'm in love with you!"
At that moment, my whole world crumbled. All the anger that I had disappeared in that instant, replaced by shock and disbelief of hearing his words. "I'm in love with you." I kept repeating these words in my head and I was deprived of strength. Eventually, I let him go and he dropped to his knees, coughing from the sudden action.
I backed up, moving too slow for any living creature on this planet. I stopped and lifted my hands to my face, looking into my hands. Into the hands of a monster.
My heart ached painfully, my breath began to quiver, and my hands trembled violently. I watched as my skin transformed, returning back to human form along with the rest of my body. I was so numb that I didn't feel any pain from it. I was too consumed with what Lar'ja had said.
How can he say that? I'm not worth it. I'm nothing. Why would he say that?
My human voice returned but could barely be heard.
"How . . . can you say that Lar'ja? You don't . . . mean that."
I kept my hands near my face but my tears began to flow like a river and I tried my best to hold my sobs inside me. When Lar'ja got back on his feet, breathing normally again, he slowly started to make his way to me. I turned to look at him and my eyes widened.
"Please . . . don't . . ."
I didn't want him near. If he touched me, then I won't be able to resist. I would lose all sense of myself and I won't be able to fight back. I tried to step back but my legs refused to move like they were glued to the ground. He kept coming closer and I started to lose it.
"Please . . ."
My voice quivered on the verge of crying all out. My body ached for him and secretly, I wanted to hold him. To feel his skin and heat on me. To smell his beautiful scent of sweet rain. Something that I thought would never exist. He was beautiful.
And then, he wrapped his arms around me, pressing me into him. My side of my head was on his armor covered chest and somehow, I could hear his heartbeat. With that, my body fell apart and I couldn't hold it in anymore.
I let out a heart-dropping cry into him. My tears fell and dripped all over him but he kept his hold on me. My knees gave way and I was about to fall until Lar'ja wraps one arm around my waist, keeping me on my feet. I cried for what seemed like hours, letting all my emotions drain out of me until I didn't have the energy anymore to cry anymore. We stayed together silently, embracing each other for some time until he pulls his upper body back from me to look into my eyes.
They shined so brightly, even with the little sunlight left before the night took over. His mandibles twitched a little and then relaxed. I just stared at him until Lar'ja spoke out.
"You are real. As real as the stars in the sky. And I never saw anything as beautiful and strong as you. You are everything to me. And I don't regret meeting you."
If I didn't hear the sincerity in his voice, I would of never believe him. But my heart leaped out to him and a small bit of happiness grew inside me. Lar'ja grabs my chin gently between his fingers and pulled me close until our mouths connected. His kiss was gentle and full of love and I relished in it, closing my eyes to concentrate on him. My heart pounded in my chest, heating every inch of me. How can he have this effect on me?
We shared a beautiful kiss until he pulls away slowly. I opened my eyes and they were so bright. He began to purr and the vibrations sent chills throughout my body.
"I love you."
My heart pounded even harder. I had no more energy left in me and Lar'ja lifts me up bridal style in his arms and I allowed him. I let the side of my head lay on his chest, enjoying the heat from him. Lar'ja looks down at me but I started to close my eyes.
"Let's get back to everyone."
I simply nodded and he begins his walk back. I noticed that Lar'ja had left his mask on the ground but I didn't want to disturb him. I just wanted to enjoy this moment.
I closed my eyes and relaxed beside him, feeling his strong arms around me as I allowed myself to drift into darkness.
Hi Readers!
Wow! This one was very emotional for me and one of my bests one ever!
Ana finds the harsh truth about herself and her mother and believes that she's alone until Lar'ja gives her the strength to live on and even confesses to her. But is this the end of all the secrets? With all she knows, will she ever feel the same way that she used to?
What will happen from this point on?
Find out when Chapter 25 comes around! :)))
P.S. The Ripple of a Stone story will be on hiatus until one of my stories is completed since it's becoming difficult to write all three along with school and work. But, it will continue and I won't allow it to stay in the back burner for too long.
For now, enjoy Twisted Fate and Break Free as both are soon reaching their climaxes.
Stay tuned and thank you all! :)))