Hi everyone!

After a long wait, I finally got the inspiration to write and upload a new chapter. I want to apologize for the delay. I was very busy and the lack of imagination didn't help either. But here it is!

I appreciate your reviews and the support, and again thank you so much to those who take their time to read, review and point the typos and mistakes they found. You deserve nothing but love and sweets! ^^

I don't want to bore you, so this time I'll give a quick thanks to all my lovely reviewers: Blue, Honami, Mariichyuu, Lady Ravanna, Summer Florence, Honeydewmelon56, Janalee, Guest1995, TishaLiz, Shadowlover1222 and KisaragiMaru.

Thank you people! Your words helped me continue writing and always bring a smile to my face! Think that without you, there wouldn't be a story for me to write. So, again, thanks for the support and sticking with me.


Previously...

''Then, what are you trying to do?''

''I want to take down the entire system''

''The entire Sybil system?'' Shiori repeated as something broke inside her.

Glass shattered.


Inferno


Chapter 9:

''That's madness! It's impossible'' She sputtered. ''This would mean complete chaos''

''Would it?''

''Yeah, most people are too attached to this world and the way it works, if the Sybil system and control that is exerted over people disappears, it would cause a general state of panic and this would lead to fear and chaos''

''Most people? Not you?'' he observed and commented. She felt silent and bit her lip.

''What?''

''You said most people feel attached to the system. Are implying you are not?'' He asked.

''I…'' She tried to justify herself and fix what she had said, but she didn't find the words. She was surprised to discover that she didn't want to rectify what she had just said. He smiled knowingly.

''I wasn't wrong about you'' he murmured. She raised her eyes to find his, but said nothing. ''We have been restricted all our lives, by these castle walls. Aren't you curious about what's behind them?'' He asked. She still didn't answer. He walked slowly towards her, trying not to alarm her and stopped a few steps away from her. ''I know you are'' He read her like a book.

''Even if I did agree with you, I'd never approve your means, what you do… what you did back there in Oso Academy…'' She bit her lip. ''You are no different from the system you want to take down.''

''Oh, but I am different, and so are you'' He smiled pleased. ''Do you really think I would have taken you with me if I didn't see something in you?''

That took her by surprise. What was he implying?

''I am not going to deny the ethical consequences of my acts. But I really would appreciate if you reconsidered my offer''

''And what is that? What exactly are you offering me? A part from a bunch of metaphors about life that may not take us anywhere'' She asked feeling conflicted. That man was an expert at convincing people. She was sure that she wasn't the first pawn he tried to convince to follow him. He smirked and took another step.

''If one's different, one's bound to be lonely'' He murmured ''I can save you from that. When we first met, I could see the loneliness that you felt, how different you were, how trapped you felt inside that building you called your home. All these years in Oso Academy, feeling like you didn't really fit in. You are not a sheep. ''He made a pause to appreciate her expression, before opening his mouth again ''In the school, everyone thought the rules and restrictions were justified and that they guaranteed the safety of the students. But you just didn't understand why all that was necessary, why the Sibyl sistem was so afraid of books like 1984...''

''That doesn't mean I would help you destruct the system''

''No. But it certanly would be enough for them to want to take you down. The system doesn't exactly welcome diversity''

''Kill or be killed?'' She questioned. He nodded. ''Do you really think I am that weak? That I would sell myself just because I am afraid of loneliness or the system?''

''Of course not, you are better than that. You are better than them all, aren't you?'' he took another step, smirking, testing how far he could go, how much more he could say. Shiori tried to walk away but she found herself against the wall. She felt trapped, just like he had planned. He sowed the seed of doubt in her mind, and now he had her wrapped in his web. ''Do you know what they do to those who think differently from them?''

She didn't know.

''They are erased'' He muttered. He saw the doubt in her eyes. ''You still don't believe me?'' He asked.

She parted her lips to speak but she didn't find her own voice.

How could I? She wanted to say.

''I know you are not stupid, and I really don't wanot to hurt you'' He said as he raised his blade to her neck. She stiffened but remained silent. ''Do you despise me?''

I do… She wanted to scream. But now… she wasn't so sure… and she hated herself for it. He had kidnapped her, and encouraged the killings in her Academy. He was a murderer, a monster. Then why did she felt drawn to him? Why was she even considering his words?

The cold blade touched the skin of her neck.

''If you want to kill me, do it already'' she whispered. She wanted to sound convincing and confident, but her voice cracked and her lip quivered. She didn't want to die.

''You don't mean that'' He muttered softly as he pressed the blade against her skin, just enough to drawn a trail of blood. She closed her eyes. He smiled and brought his hand to her cheek and caressed it. She shivered under his touch. She felt as if her will was starting to crumble. What did she want? She did no longer know.

Then, as suddenly as she felt the touch, it disappeared. The blade and hand were no longer on her skin. She dared to open her eyes slowly and looked at him.

''I think, that's enough for today'' he said leaving the blade on the marble. ''You look tired, you may return to your room, for now''

He walked her to the room where she had waken up and made her go inside. She didn't fight, she didn't complain.

''I need to be somewhere else, right now, but I'll return soon to keep you company, Shiori''

He closed the door softly and Shiori listened his steps go away, until she did not longer hear them. It was then when she crumbled. Her façade broke and tears started to go down her cheeks. She let go a desperate whimper and started crying loudly. She had been holding inside of her all this time, but she could no longer hide it. She didn't want to show him weakness, but now that she was alone she let herself go. Shiori covered her mouth and felt breathless. She cried and cried.

Not because she had been kidnapped, not because she was afraid to die, but because she realized how lonely she was, how different she was. She feared becoming something she no longer reconized. She feared not knowing what she wanted, and above all... she feared he was right.


So, how was it? That's all I have for now. Shiori is starting to question the system and her own attitude towards it. She is starting to think by herself, something dangerous. Makishima is starting to work his magic *-* We'll see where this leads to...

Thanks for reading and I hope you have enjoyed the chapter! More will be coming (I hope that soon). As always, please, review and let me know if you liked it and what did you think of it! You know I appreciate your opinion, so feel free to message me or just leave a review. Feedback is important :)

See you around~