Consequences

* The Connected Space.

Darkness. You're safe in the dark. Nothing can touch you here. No one can touch you here. You are safe. You float, curled up in a ball, in the endless cold tendrils that curl and twist around your body. "Stress levels lowering. Heart rate stabilising." Rikka says in a monotone voice, less feminine. Less real. "What happened host?"

"Someone I thought I knew was different. Twisted, sick, and I didn't notice." You mumble. Your body relaxes and you spread out, welcoming the cold embrace.

"Do you wish to go back now you've calmed down?" She asks. You don't respond. "Then you wish to give up?" The tendrils begin to tighten their grip. Would it be easier to stay here? I wouldn't have to face her.

"If I don't go back... What will happen to me?"

"I will forcefully merge with your body and purge you to the very core. You will be an empty husk and I will assume control of your shell."

"That could be alright." The tendrils tighten more, crushing your body.

"Don't you love Lucy?" Rikka asks sounding like herself.

"Yes."

"Then don't give up on her. Fight for who you love Michael!" The cold embrace chills you to your core. Your body aches and burns all over from the suffocating grip. You grab one of the tendrils and squeezing it back. You can't feel it but you see a burst of light emit from it's crumbling remains and with that light comes a warmth.

"Yeah. This is my body and I need it to fix this. Lucy loves me and I love her, I just need to deal with the unhealthy side!" You 'sit' up as you feel the cold grip retreat.

"Excellent work ho- Michael." You feel a warmth float around you, a presence you can't see but can certainly feel.

"You were programmed to take over me straight away, weren't you?" You ask towards the presence.

"I was."

"Thank you, for all you've done for me." Rikka giggles.

"It's time to face your sister now." The light starts to come back. In it you swear you can see a face looking back at yourself.

"Wait a sec! How do you know abo-"

* Once more, to the real world.

You're in a bed. Wrapped under a duvet your head rest snugly in a fluffy pillow. You open your eyes and look around, the familiar walls of your room surround you, the light from the sun fills the room. You let out a sigh. "Michael? Are you awake?" Bella asks. You hadn't seen her sat in your chair right next to the bed. You also realise she's holding your hand.

"Yeah. I'm back." She helps you sit up on the edge of the bed. She wears the outfit she was in yesterday. "What happened?" You ask.

"Last night Sam woke us and took us to you. You were passed out in Lucy's room so we carried you back to your room and took turns to watch over you." She gives your hand a squeeze and asks, "how are you feeling?"

"Good question... But it's not important right now. Where's Lucy?" Bella winces at your words.

"We had been hoping the shock might've messed up your memory of the night a little."

"Where is she?" You ask again in a low voice.

"Can you walk?" Bella asks. You nod, but she keeps a tight hold on you as she directs you through the house. Out the windows you can see it's the afternoon already.

"I've slept most of the day?" She doesn't answer and keeps her brows furrowed together. At the end of the hallway there's a door with a key sticking out. Bella stops in front of it. "She's inside?" She nods and takes a step back.

"I... Michael. Just remember, she's family."

"I need you to come inside with me."

"Why?"

"Please." She takes your hand once more and you unlock the door.