Ugh, I can’t believe I’m still alive.I could have sworn that hit from Phoebe took me to the other side.The fuck did she pack in that punch?Was she planning on killing Leah?Crazy female!Hah, I guess it all worked out for the best.But then again, now that I think about it, Phoebe had a point.I’ve got only one working arm and Lincoln was unconscious.We are both unnecessary baggage that should be dropped.But Leah would never accept that.I knew her long enough to know that she’d rather put herself in danger for the sake of others.A worthy comrade.Heh, unfortunately, I’m only dead weight right now.I’m dragging her back from a chance at getting a Stigma.Was it selfish of me?I guess, but I only allowed it because I knew trying to convince her would be a waste of time.Hah, I hope she’s okay out there.Also, how come I don’t see Phoebe?Hmm, where did she go?Apart from an unconscious Lincoln and the occasional rats scurrying by, there was no-one else.She must be scouting the a

When I learned about the Otherworldly, what came to my mind then was unspeakable entities incapable of being reasoned with.All they knew was death and destruction and they carried it out without fail.So it wasn’t like I was off the mark on that one.Of course, I never thought that they’d be capable of human speech.It never crossed my mind at any moment yet I experienced it twice.First the Faceless and now this… whatever it is.Both communicated with series of grating noises but weirdly enough, I could understand them.Was it a general effect?... Or just because this is a nightmare.“Jerry.”I turned back to find Leah, Lincoln and Phoebe staring at me weirdly.“Yeah?”“Who are you talking to?”“Don’t you hear it?”Their expressions answered it all.I was the only one that could hear it.For a second, I suspected it was my imagination playing tricks on me but I immediately shot that down.My imagination might be intrusive, but it wasn’t that intrusive.So there were only two explana

What’s going on?Some crazy guy is here to find out what makes me tick?It sent a chill down my spine.After Lincoln, Leah and Phoebe acted weird upon finding out what now seemed to be my unique ability to understand the Otherworldly, I knew something was wrong.But not so wrong as to become a science specimen!I’m a human, for crying out loud.Who would want to carry out experiments on a human?Darn it, should I have hidden it?But I had no idea it would cause something like this to happen.Now, my eyes were starting to adapt to my environment.I saw them then.Captain Rodgers stood at the door to my hospital room and I could barely make out the other party.The white lab coat stood out the most but that didn’t help with figuring out the person’s identity.Was he a scientist or a doctor?“Make him tick?... He is not your lab rat. He is a human being just like you.” The captain suddenly said.“Huhu… Then why can’t I understand the Otherworldly?” the man on the other side had a weird v

Years after dad’s death, a particular thought kept coming to mind.That a member of the Twelve Great families was the reason for his sudden demise.It was no exaggeration to call him one of the most influential people in the tower.He must have had secrets involving their dirty work, after all, dad always disparaged them.Whenever he had chance to mention them, only disdain and disregard for their title.So needless to say, it was easy to infer that they might hold similar feelings for him.Which was why on my list of suspects regarding his death, the Twelve Great families were at the top.So I already knew that at some point, I’d have to clash with them.Of course, I didn’t expect it to be so soon.Especially now that my life was in danger from unknown angles.“Nice to make your acquaintance.”Richard Stark.He had his roots in the Stark family, one of the Twelve.I didn’t know much about them, except maybe that before dad died, he referred to them as the weakest amongst the Twelve.

It was close to lights out, after having dinner, I was forced to stay back with Leah, Reginald and Lincoln to discuss how we’d go about the excursion meant for tomorrow.Judging from their reactions, I could tell they were worried and I couldn’t blame them, I was terrified!Unlike them that were unrelated, I was the main target.I had to watch over my back at every moment and sleep with one eye open.Honestly it was nerve wracking but we had no choice.We couldn’t stay back in the hostel since the bastard Philip decided to make the excursion compulsory for all First years.If we ignored it, he’d have a reason to attack us and that is something we cannot give him, no matter what.I won’t let him have his way!So I’ll go with the others.Since we won’t be the only ones going, there’s no way Philip would do anything crazy.He’d at least control himself till he can get a one on one with me and that’s something that’s easy to avoid.So there’s no need to be so worried…I think.“Big bro.” L