Chapter Ten: Unsettling Change:

-Airi-

Something isn’t right. I pretty much had to eat my children to stop this madness. But now it’s affected me. No. It’s been affecting me. I don’t like it.

I looked down at my hands. The fingertips felt like it was on fire. It doesn’t hurt though. That’s the weird part. If it hurt that would be one thing. But…

I can’t be growing. I would know what that would feel like. Hell, I’ve done it seven times already. Sure, my body felt like it was on fire. But that never lasted too long. But this… This is different.

I really don’t like it.

“Airi? Airi?”

I looked up from my thoughts. Oh.

“What do you want?” I asked.

“Are you feeling okay?” Anna asked. I narrowed my eyes.

“Yes, why” I asked.

“You seem distracted,” she said. “Something on your mind?”

“No,” I said. Anna didn’t say anything. I already knew what she was thinking.

“Look, I don’t want to talk about it, okay?” I said.

“Fine,” she said. “I get it. I’m here for you when you’re ready.” I frowned as I wrinkled my nose.

“Shut up,” I said. Suddenly, I froze. That burning feeling came back. This time, it was in my nape. I reached up to feel the skin. My body felt so cold. I started breathing heavily. What was happening? My eyes stated to widen. My vision started to blur. Help me. Help me. Help… me…

Then the door opened.

My pain suddenly disappeared. When I looked up, I saw Asato standing in the doorway. Anna rushed to his side.

“Well?” she asked. Asato froze for a moment. Then he broke into a huge grin as he flashed a V-sign.