FetchTheTable

"Glitters, really ?" Nubia looked at Ji-Hyun, skeptical. She then stared at the costume her friend was customizing. "Please tell me you only put these on yours." Ji-Hyun continued to glue some details on her soon-to-be Halloween costume, unphased. "Why not? They're pretty. And Sif agreed to put some on hers too." Nubia blinked. "She agreed. Sif." "Yep." Ji-Hyun flashed a huge smile at her, seemingly pretty proud of herself. "We're gonna be fabulous. Pleeeeeease?" Nubia sighed. "Glitters. For a Halloween party. Where did you get that idea?" Truth be told, the three girls planned to pair their costumes together. And Nubia had already got hers. It was a suit that she liked and the glitter operation wasn't planned at all. This last-minute adjustment threw her off balance, and she wasn't sure if she wanted to put a shiny flare to her costume. Sure she liked shiny things. But this? It was a bit too much for her. "Element of surprise. You'll see." Nubia groaned. "....

"Look at you. You are weak. You are worthless. You can't protect the one you love. In the end, they're all going to die, and it will be your fault. Because you are weak. Pathetic." Nubia fought against the tears blooming again at the corners of her eyes. Her cheeks were already wet from previous tears. "N-No, that's not true! I'm training to be stronger! I can protect them!" A dark chuckle was the only reply she got. The sound was ominous like her interlocutor was everywhere at once. She felt trapped like an animal. The vulnerability tasted sour on her dry mouth. Her throat was constricted by sobs. Eventually, the unnerving voice spoke again, a voice not so different than her. "You can't even admit the truth! You can't even see what's happening! Your reckless confidence will be their undoing. You. Are. Weak. But there is a way. It is not too late." Nubia felt a finger under her chin, lifting her head upwards. An icy chill spread down her spine, as she was looking at... Herself.

The moon was high in the sky. Nubia was walking home late, as her study session took longer than usual. By her side, two of her best friends were walking with her. The ever-enthusiastic Sif was leading the way, while Ji-Hyun, with her soft and timid nature, was walking just next to Numbia. The two girls were talking about their week-end planning when they heard a growl. Sif was shaking against the brick wall, emitting strangled, distressed noises. "Sif? Are you alright?" Both Ji-Hyun and Nubia rushed toward the brunette. Her ashen-brown hairs were looking paler under the moonlight, her skin creamier than usual. "I-I should have k-known bet-ter... G-Going home t-this late... Especially t-tonight..." The girl seemed to tense when Ji-Hyun touched her shoulder, and Nubia frowned; she had never seen her friend in this state before. Sif panted and tried to take a few steps back. "D-Don't come close to me... R-Run..." Her voice seemed deeper somehow, and her shakings were more violent

"Hey Ji-Hyun, what is your favorite constellation?" Nubia looked at her friend. The quietest of their trio. The girl had an eerie smile. "I think it would be Pegasus. It looks like a horse. Look, here is the head, and its front legs. I kinda like it." Sif, the enthusiastic of the group, made a face. "I feel it is a missed opportunity here. I mean, where is the other half of the horse? Where are its wings??" Ji-Hyun shrugged, keeping her dreamy smile on her face. "Oh, you can just imagine it. How about you, then? What is your favorite constellation?" Sif took a moment to answer. "Canis Major." Nubia snorted. "I bet you're not even able to find them in the sky." Sif responded with a chuckle. "You would be surprised. I learned sky navigation in summer camp." "Was Canis Majorv useful for navigation?" "Nooope." She had a huge smile, revealing all her teeth. "What about you, Nubia? Which one is your favorite? Orion? Oh, Cassiopeia maybe?" The young Egyptian answered in a beat.

It was dark outside. The faint light of the cold October sun couldn't piece through the density of the forest. Around her, all the trees had changed their healthy, green colors to wear flamboyant shades of orange and red. The forest was grandiose, like an eternal fire. The ground was covered by a thick layer of fallen leaves, mirroring the colorful foliage the wind tickled above her head. Nubia wrapped again her scarf around her neck. The breeze was light but cold. She wasn't fool enough to think the sun was warm enough to keep the cold temperature - and the humidity in the wind- at bay. Sighing, she set her gaze on the ground again. Her eyes were searching for mushrooms, and her little basket contained already a few of them. It was a nice outing, and for once she was alone all by herself. Oh, another one. Edible this time. It quickly landed in her basket among the others. It was a welcomed quietness, to have a peaceful evening for once. She knew October was a month full of