Ray's P. O. V  I was stunned. I'm still stunned. All of it felt like imagination to me. Vera didn't just slip out of my hands, did she? I blinked rapidly and looked at my hands; she wasn't there. Then I heard a thud down below. Someone had fallen into the river below. It wasn't my Vera... It wasn't Vera; it wasn't...  "VERA!!!" I yelled subconsciously. A hand pulled me back from the edge of the bridge but I trudged forward and fell on my knees.  " Vera...." I mouthed, gasping and choking on my tears. The pain was overwhelming, threatening to swallow me whole. Sirens sounded from a distance but I was too distraught to listen. Hurriedly cleaning my tears, I looked below me and saw the voice recorder I had given Vera earlier. It must've fallen from her when she got out of the bridge. I picked it up and played it. My dad's voice streamed out. Hearing him admit to all of his past misdeeds brought even more te

Vera.  I'm sinking. I know I am. I'm filling up with water and it's just a matter of time before my life slips out of me. I'm glad I'll finally be able to say goodbye to this cruel world. Then suddenly, I feel a pair of hands grab me, pulling me onto the surface. The cold air hits my face, but I don't want to open my eyes. I feel myself being pulled along, but I don't react. I should probably breathe, but my brain is too mushy to comprehend anything. So I shut down, slipping further into unconsciousness, hoping that this time, I die....   Coughing as I wake up, water coming out of my nose and mouth. Forcing my eyes open, I see two people in front of me, gazing down at me. My eyesight clears and I notice they're dressed in black. I cough a bit, trying to sit up.   " Where am I?" I ask, but they look at each other.   " Hello beautiful..." the guy says, his lips curled up. " What's your name?"  

    ( A week later)    Vera's P. O. V    Aiming for the target, I tried to concentrate so I could make the shot. Jeff was teaching me how to use guns, just like Commander Snake had commanded. We had already left the rundown place to a much better apartment, and I already shopped for clothes. They've been quite nice to me, but of course, they came at a price.  I sighed when I saw I missed the target again. I glanced at Jeff, and he didn't look pleased with all.  " You aren't focusing Ava..." He complained, walking up to me.  " I'm sorry..." I muttered, breathing heavily. " A lot is going on in my mind," I admitted. He took the gun from me and aimed at the target, pulling the trigger. I closed my eyes as a result of the noise it made, but when I opened it, I saw the hole. It went right through it.  " When you use the gun, you have to tune out all thoughts. It's just you and the trigger. It's

      (Days later)  We were having breakfast one day when I suddenly felt the overwhelming urge to throw up. The bad thing is, everyone was present, so they watched me stand up, running to the bathroom to empty all the contents in my stomach. Cleaning myself up, I sauntered back to the living room, still feeling sick. On my way back, I heard Kira mutter,  " Now vomiting? What's wrong with her?" I swallowed, trying to calm myself down. Everyone's eyes were on me the second I stepped into the living room. I looked down, nervously picking on my clothes.   " Are you well?" Commander Snake asks and I nod.   " Yeah. Probably it's the food," I mutter. Kira snickers.   " I don't think so. She doesn't look okay to me. Look at how pale she is." She says, gesturing towards me.   " I'm sure I'm fine. It's just nausea." I say, raising my chin at her.   " You've been ha

     Vera's P. O. V  Stirring on the bed, I squinted at the bright light coming in through the windows. My gaze wandered around till it settled on the wall clock in front of him. 10:17 am. Groaning slightly, I stepped out of the bed, ambling to the bathroom. I hurried through my morning routine and, splashing some water on my face, stared at my reflection. Though my color was a bit healthy now as opposed to the pale, dry skin I was so used to seeing, I wondered how long it would last till I ran out of money and had nothing. Which reminds me, I should seriously get a job.   I trudged out of the bathroom, slowly eating my breakfast of leftover pizza and some fruit juice while I thought things through. I had figured out where I was on the map and realized I wasn't so far off from where I originally lived with madam Deborah. It made me want to see her again, even if I know I should stay away. Damning all consequences, I packed my things