And then it all begins.

Xavier shoves Dakota away just in time to curl up into a ball, shaking and gritting his teeth. Pain wrecks his body, and I can almost see the invisible fists pummeling him, and underneath that, his demons, his insecurities, and somehow, just watching him can tear my heart apart.

"No," he murmurs, over and over again. "No, no, no, no, no." His hands clamp themselves over his ears and he screams, a bloodcurdling, horrifying scream.

Dakota lets out a whimper, before pressing her hands to her temples, shutting her eyes. She's trying to fight something. I'm almost sure of the torture she's being put through, the mental pain that hits you again and again, slowly breaking down your walls of protection and safety, hitting the most vulnerable parts of you.

She's trying to confront her fears, but it's so hard. I know because of what happened to me, how I never—and still have not—been able to stand up against my greatest fears.

Xavier's father just stands there, as if there's nothing going on, nothing wrong. The only sign of his pleasure is the smirk on his face as he watches the two helpless people writhe and twitch on the ground.

It's so hard to tear my eyes away from them.

I take a deep breath, bracing myself for the worst. And in that split second, I know what I need to do.

Pouncing on Xavier's father, I tackle him to the ground, catching him by surprise. Xavier and Dakota's pain don't seem to stop one bit, their foreheads still creased in concentration, and I almost get up when Xavier's father grabs my ankle and trips me, before pulling a gun out of the air and pointing it straight at me, at the spot between my eyes.

I don't move, my heart beating erratically in my mouth. Is this how it's all going to end?

And then suddenly Xavier's father changes, into my worst nightmare. My father. Then my mother. They're chanting the same thing.

"It's all your fault."

Over and over and over, they don't stop. It's all in my head, I tell myself, he's using Edit to hurt me.

You've been through so much, Amber, are you really going to let them win again?

No. I'm not. I'm going to be strong and fight the worst battles, even if they might tear me apart and crush my bones, I'm going to fight them. And I don't care if I lose them, because I've given my best shot. I will not lose to Edit. Not ever.

And then sharp, blasting pain shoots through my head, and I fall to the ground like a broken rag doll, my knees buckling and hitting the floor with a loud and crisp crack.

My head hits the floor, a sharp burst of pain smashing it, and Xavier's father walks over. I want to struggle, but there's something grabbing at my feet, at my arms, and I am immobilized. Something stabs me, and a hot burning liquid fills my lungs. I am still. My eyes shut close. I am frozen, a girl made of metal and steel. And I am immobilized.

And then my eyes snap open, sharp and awakened. Pictures flash through my mind.

"Avelyn, where are you?"

My chubby legs run down the stairs at the sound of his voice, Xavier right behind me. He's much older than I am, and strong and brave and willing to play with me.

Xavier and I stand at attention, legs slightly apart, eyes straight ahead, hands crossed behind our back. My heart pounds a mile a minute. Master walks towards us, grinning.

"How was your day, Xavier?"

"Fine, Master." Xavier replies, his shoulders broad and his face set into stone. I try to mirror him, because whatever Xavier does is correct. It will be correct, in Master's eyes.

I know that because he will take over Edit soon, so I need to listen to him. Whatever that he says or does is golden, is perfect, is true.

I don't know why Xavier is eighteen already; he should be around my age. We became siblings at around the same time.

But it's none of my business anyway. Sometimes it's better to be in the dark.

"And you, Avelyn?"

"Fine, Master," my voice comes out squeaky and high-pitched. I can imagine Xavier's eyes burning holes into my head. Don't ever let anyone see your weak side.

Master nods, then gestures for us to follow him. Xavier stomps his foot twice, before marching forward. I follow him, moving in sync. I've been trained to do that, anyway.

We stop by the couch, and he lets us sit down, and I'm beyond relieved. Today's task was to do some research about the Inner Cities while standing up, and my punishment for not being able to complete it was to stand until Master returned.

In the end, Xavier completed it, but I still don't like him for the punishment. He can be so mean sometimes.

Xavier's posture is unbelievably straight, whilst mine is nowhere near there.

"I have an important announcement to make," Master says, and my eyes widen. Xavier continues to stay still.

Master pauses, awaiting a reaction.

"Yes, Master," he says.

"You all know who you are, do you not?" He cocks an eyebrow.

"I do." We both say at the same time.

"The Black Hole—a system in the Inner Cities that assists us in recruiting people to assist Edit—has requested for your presence."

"For what?" I ask, excited. That was today's assignment, and I was halfway in it, seeing all the wonders of the Inner Cities when my time was up. Xavier sends me a warning glare that makes me shrink back, but I'm lucky that Master is in a good mood.

He laughs, and replies, "We need to find a way to spread ourselves throughout the world. That way, I believe it will be easier to link the Black Hole with Therapy, or in other words,  Rehabilitation. What do you think?"

"I am in no position to argue, Master. However, will Avelyn not have relapses? I am afraid that her identity will be revealed and they might track you down. Also, Avelyn and I cannot be posted at the same place, as she is still young and will recognize me on instinct. I do not wish to cause trouble."

I have no idea what Xavier is talking about. Relapses? I'm not a mental patient or anything.

"She's a strong person, Xavier, and will stand the test of time. Even if she does have relapses, I do not doubt that they will be short. She has a lot of potential, Xavier, to help us, especially because of her personality. Also, you will be posted to the Black Hole, but Avelyn to the houses above."

Xavier nods, his face not revealing any emotion once again. He only smiles when he plays with me. I realise, all the other times he's Xavier the Statue, Xavier the Wooden Block or Xavier the Stone. I prefer Xavier the Clown much better.

"Don't you worry, Xavier, everything will fall together one day. And when that day comes, Avelyn will be stronger than ever. And don't you remember that the other Masters' daughters also have the power to help Edit. They are all under my control."

Xavier nods again, and I almost curl up into a ball when both men's eyes flicker to me. It holds a weight, a burden that I need to carry, and the scary, cruel thing called hope.

Suddenly, like a switch has been flipped, my skin goes numb. The difference? Green letters spill in my vision.

RELAPSE ACTIVATED
BEGINNING IN 3...2...

Something surges within me, an anger so consuming it swallows me up. I don't know what's going on, and I'm afraid.

1

Then something snaps within me, and my fear is replaced with bravery and courage and strength.

Do not ever let anyone see your weak side.

Climbing to my feet, I face Master, something inside me changing, burning. I grab the control from Master and somehow manage to break it with my bare hands, the pit of my stomach a raging inferno that refuses to be put out. I should be helping him, but right now, the stupid control is standing in my way.

The control is the one that punished me in the past, and I hate it. I hate it so much. It made me look like a coward and a weakling.

That's not what I am now.

A smirk takes over Master's face as Xavier darts to his feet, expression emotionless. An Asian girl with tan skin and dark eyes is pressed against his side, her eyes wide with fear. Her face is pale as she looks at Xavier, then at me, her face showing a horrified expression, the type that would make me snort at.

She's afraid. How pathetic.

I lift my chin, staring at Master in the eye. I am a faithful servant of Edit, and nothing will stand in my way to achieve what I want. And what I want is to continue the cycle of Edit, because if it stops, everything that I've been working for all my life would be gone. I want to make myself perfect.

I love you, and don't you dare forget how perfect you are.

That voice sounds vaguely familiar, but I know it's just telling me lies. Only stupid people out there think that we are perfect, that we won't be judged by others. I know we will.

I focus on what's happening in front of me, shaking the thoughts from my mind. It's irrelevant.

Xavier mumbles something to the Asian girl, who is starting to get on my nerves, for just her presence.

"Xavier," I nod slightly. He blinks in response, before his eyes dart to Master, his eyes full of hatred.

After a slight pause, Xavier clears his throat and replies, "Welcome back, Avelyn."

I don't smile. I nod again, and jut my chin out at the Asian girl. "Who's that?"

"The other Masters' daughter." He replies smoothly.

I scoff. "She's a weakling."

The Asian girl doesn't move.

"I said, you're a weakling!" I laugh. "She deaf, too?"

Master places his hand on my shoulder.

"Avelyn, it is with greatest regrets that I tell you that Xavier has decided to rebel."

"Rebel?" I cock an eyebrow unbelievably.

Never would I have ever thought that it would be Xavier being the rebel. Wasn't he always the perfect person, the preferred heir to everything?

Such a disappointment. I shake my head at the thought, bitter disgust and hate filling me. Unloyal traitor.

Taking one step towards the traitor, I spit, "you were the one who told me to always stay loyal. You were the one who told me to always stay on Edit's side, no matter what I did. And now? You're a betrayer."

I grab a gun out of thin air, it feeling so familiar in my palm. I've not held a gun for so long, but now, it feels almost natural. Loading it and clicking off the safety, I aim it at Xavier. He squeezes the Asian girl's hand, before pushing her aside as I speak.

"And you told me the price of betrayal is death." I say with as much venom in my voice as I can muster. I hate him to the core.

———

Hello! I'm so sorry for the late update. What do you think happened to Amber, what do you think about the cliffhanger and what do you like/not like about this chapter? Let me know in the comments!

This chapter is dedicated to WangQianHui Vicleeqw for their support and friendship. Thank you guys so much!

Preview: The next chapter will be this chapter in Xavier's Point Of View to let you guys get a better idea of what is really happening.

Remember to smile!

xoxo
-NeverEverGiveUp-