Day 23: Burden

Sally was still streaming when a private notification popped up on her screen.
It was Said.

“How have you been?” wrote Said.
“Not so good…” Sally replied.

While she kept playing, she explained through messages what had happened with her mother.

“It messes with my mind…” she typed. “The memories and the energy cause me pain.”

There was a brief pause before Said answered.

“Try creating something with that energy,” Said wrote. “Maybe that way you can control it better.”

Sally looked at her trembling fingers.

“Do you know anything about the protests?” asked Said.
“Yes. People from all over the country are gathering,” Sally replied.
“Right, but they won’t be everywhere,” Said clarified. “They’ll take place in the capital.”

“All that’s left is to prepare,” Said added.
“Because nobody knows what’s going to happen tomorrow.”
With those words, the conversation ended.

A while later, Sally ended the stream.

“Thanks for everything, guys. We’ll continue tomorrow,” she said before closing the broadcast.

She said goodbye to the people at the gaming center as well.
When she stepped outside, she saw Kiki waiting for her on her motorcycle.

“See you tomorrow, Kiki,” Sally waved.
“Want me to give you a ride?” Kiki asked with a smile.
“Sure.”

Sally sat behind her. The engine roared, and they sped down the lit avenue.

“Do you know what I like most about riding a motorcycle?” Kiki said, raising her voice over the wind.
“What is it?” Sally asked.

“The night wind. And the speed combined with it.”

Sally closed her eyes. The sensation was… freeing.
“And the speed,” she added, laughing.

The ride didn’t last long. When they reached her building, Sally got off.

“Thanks for bringing me,” she said.
“See you tomorrow,” Kiki replied.

Sally climbed the stairs and opened the door.

The apartment was empty.

In the next instant, her body gave out. She collapsed to the floor.

A loud buzzing filled her head—so intense it made her ears bleed.
Dragging herself as best she could, she reached the bathroom, searching for some pills.

The energy leaking from her body mixed with the blood.

Using the sink for support, she managed to stand. But when she looked up at the mirror…

…she saw shadows behind her.

Shadows wrapping around her energy.

Her eyes were completely bloodshot, and her iris glowed with the same purple as her energy.

Everything began to look different.

Because, before her eyes, she had started to see
the true colors of reality.