Chapter 40: I need you here, in this moment. With me.
"Hi, Stephanie."
"W-who’s there?! Where are you?!"
Stephanie yelped, her almost cracking from how surprised she was—she clearly hadn’t expected a response, let alone one so immediate. Riley watched her stumble in place, eyes darting wildly as she stuffed the letter back into her pocket. Then, stretching her arm to the side, Riley watched as her body began to... change.
Her fist clenched—and then expanded, growing larger and larger as her arm extended unnaturally. It didn’t stop until it was longer than her entire body, the bloated fist now as wide as her upper torso.
So you didn’t use your ability when you punched Sister in the face after your duel. Should I add that to your redeeming qualities, too?
Riley tilted his head slightly to the side, and Steph caught a glimpse of his shifting shadow. She twisted her body, reacting on instinct, and launched a massive punch in the direction his shadow’s head had been.
"Fuck, show yourself!" She screamed, retracting her mutated limb. As Riley’s head moved again, just barely visible in the moonlight, she caught sight of his outline and squinted upward, narrowing her eyes.
A moment passed... and then her gaze slowly lifted to the top of the wall.
And she froze.
There, standing tall above her like a statue, was the pale silhouette of a face—his skin almost glowing white against the dark. The first thing she saw, the only thing she could focus on, was his eyes—eyes that seemed to reflect everything around them.
"W-who are you?!" She shouted again. "Why the fuck are you doing this to—"