And Then, We Created Chaos

twelve ● maeve

twelve ● maeve

"Ever... Ever... Maeve," Xander spoke with a sigh. "I still have to get used to that, sorry."

I still don't turn around and face him. I don't make any notice that he's even there. Instead, I flip to the next page of my new novel, covered in old dust and everything. Archer found it trapped under one of the floorboards. I've been reading it since.

"Maeve, you can't still leave your nose in a book. There are people that look to you for instructions." The boy walks over to me, waving his hand in front of my eyes so I'd pay attention. "Come on. Answer me."

"Just keep doing what you're doing," I muttered. "There's no one stopping us. Kill who you want, get what you want, remember to share, shower, whatever..."

"What the frick, Maeve. Are you okay?"

I looked up, closing the door, stuffing a old piece of parchment I've used for years as a bookmark into the spine so I don't lose my page. "Now you care about me? Where have you been the last ten years?"

"Things have changed, Maeve." He crossed his arms, looking annoyed. "For one, I now know your name. Why did you even try to hide it?"

I shrugged. "Safety, I guess. In case word got out about my existence. Still, I don't think your point is valid. I'm still human."

"And for years, you've been telling us the opposite. That you aren't like us."

"I'm not."

"Make up your mind, Maeve."

I stood up from the floor, meeting the boy at eye level -- even if that was impossible to do since he was probably four inches taller than me. "I don't like your tone, Xander."

"I'll get off your nerves if you come down with me and let everyone know what we're supposed to do."

"All of you have more purpose to this than me. I don't know what I'm doing here, not at all." I paused, pursing my lips. "I'm just the destructive force causing most of this. Maybe I don't want to be on this side."

"But you do, right." It was not a question. It was a statement.

He made me think. Really think. All my life I was just surrounded in this world. There was no escape for me, not when Camille led the group. Even now, I can't quit this. Camille left this for me. She left this world and gave me a mission before she left.

But she left this world because of me.

"Don't want to be anywhere else," I said in a quiet voice, wondering if I was lying to myself. For now, I had to stay on this side of this war. It wasn't like I'd be accepted on the other. Not if they found out who I was.

"Good." Xander said firmly. "We need someone to sit on that throne when this is all over."

With Arlen Rex's death resting my chest, the blood of innocent people surrounding me. I wonder what type of Queen I'd make.

At least Creation isn't completely failing.

●

Twenty years ago, the sky was much different. Sure, there was no smoke in the air from the many fires there are nowadays. It wasn't as dry as it is now. Or warm. But there is a change for the positive. At least, for me.

Twenty years ago, light polluted the sky. You could only see the really bright stars, only if you look hard enough. Now, the sky is different. Sitting on the roof of the mansion we stayed it, you could see everything. The crescent moon hung in the sky, surrounded by a million dancing lights. The strip of the Milky Way could be seen, too.