• The next day I was surprised when Shaileh curtly said, "Come on," and walked out of the room. I hadn't really thought about what else might happen to me here, but I hadn't known he'd actually take me out of the room. It turns out that there was a whole lot more to the place than I had originally thought. We walked down a long hallway and down a small flight of stairs. Suddenly I felt a knot form inside my stomach. What was he planning to do with me now? He had seemed nice enough, if a little intimidating, but I hadn't forgotten his strength and unpredictability. I uneasily stared at his back, and he ignored me vigilantly. What was in store for me, now that I was a supposed "Realized"?
    As we rounded a corner, I tensed myself, ready for the worst...and walked into a perfectly normal looking breakfast room. I looked around, still cautious of unexpected torture devices appearing. There was a wooden table, seated for four and I could see through a doorway across from me was a kitchen that looked mildly disused. In one of the seats was a boy who seemed no more than seven. His hair was long and draped over glasses that too mature for his innocent face. He turned in his seat and looked expectantly to Shaileh. I briefly wondered why a kid would be living with Mr. Crazy Shaileh. I could tell past the kid's huge glasses, his eyes were impenetrably dark, even blacker than Shaileh's were, but wider and more forgiving.
    "That's Arzo," Shaileh scowled to me before stalking to a pantry and grabbing a granola bar. He sat down next to Arzo and started munching on the granola bar. Arzo said hesitantly, "Umm...you could sit down..." So I pulled a chair out, wincing as it squealed against the floor, and sat down on the edge. "Shaileh isn't as scary as he seems, he just isn't good with strangers..." Shaileh muttered, "You implying that I'm some sorta dog?" Arzo looked at him nervously for a second before continuing.
    "He's just been making sure you don't hurt yourself, being new to Realization and all." That surprised me, Shaileh, the violent, rude, psychopath, looking out for me...? And in what way would I hurt myself? But then again, was Shaileh really all that crazy? The little kid was convinced of this "realized" thing as well. But what if Shaileh had just abducted this kid and brainwashed him? He had seemed a little unnerved by Shaileh, but then again, maybe he was just shy?
    As my thoughts grew more frantic, Arzo got this strange look, then his glasses started smoking! His whole face turned red, and he hurriedly took the glasses off. Shaileh looked over at Arzo curiously. Embarrassed, Arzo muttered, "Data overload."
    I took back my previous thoughts, Arzo was as crazy as Shaileh! Arzo said, "Sorry, don't worry about that, but anyway, it seems you don't believe in Realization, do you?" Again, I was surprised by Arzo, we had just met, so how did he know what I was thinking?
    "No, I don't. But how do you know that?" Without looking me in the eyes, he replied, "Just a lucky guess," Before I could make any further accusations, Arzo inquired, "Why don't you believe us?" I lifted my eyebrows at that, "Am I supposed to believe something as crazy as that? Do you take me for some kind of idiot?"
    "Then why do you need that heart?" Shaileh finally spoke. I turned to him, annoyance and anger starting to bubble up inside of me.
    "What are you talking about?" I looked down at the bright crimson sphere in my sweaty palm. "This???" It was too much for me to handle. Raising my fist, I hissed, "I don't need something like this!" And hurled the marble as far away from me as possible.
    Suddenly, my heart stuttered and I gasped for air. I sank to my knees and clutched my body, it felt like my body was breaking apart. This time I didn't feel unconsciousness taking hold, the pain just worsened. I could faintly hear Shaileh saying something, though I couldn't hear the exact words he said. It sounded like concern...but it was probably just annoyance. Then I heard next to my ear, "Hey," I looked up.
    Shaileh was holding the dimming, red marble in front of me. My insides twisted, I wanted it so badly! But my pride was disgusted by it. I shut my eyes so I wouldn't have to see it, but I could still sense it. I spat through clenched teeth, "Like I need something like that!" He grunted, but roughly grabbed my hand anyway and shoved the marble into my palm.
    After a minute of breathing hard, I felt a little more normal. Shaileh sat back on his haunches, "Stubborn woman." Though exhausted from my second ordeal, I had enough energy to get worked up again.
    "Why do you insist on not using my name? Is it that hard to remember?!?" He flushed crimson and stood up, "Why should I?" I staggered upright as well, tears welling in my eyes, and shouted in his face, "Because it's Polite!" Then I turned and ran down the hallway, desperation pushing me faster and farther. I didn't know where I was going, I just wanted to escape the closeness of four walls.
    At last, I threw open a door and dashed into the sunlight. I paused for a moment, taking in the trees and dappled shadows and steps curving out of sight. Then, thinking of the others that must be chasing me, I ran off again. A few minutes into the sparse woods, I tripped and sprawled on the stones and moss. When I pushed myself up, I saw a clump of trees in which I could easily hide. I wearily crawled into the small, leafy space, curled up, and started to cry.
    It was a while before I calmed down enough to realize I wasn't alone. I didn't know how I could sense it, but I just knew someone was there. Cautiously, I maneuvered out of my hiding place and peered around the trees.
    "How long have you been there?" I sniffed. Shaileh's long hair glinted golden in the sunlight. He turned and said carefully, "When did you get here?" I stared at him.
    "Have you been here this whole time?" Again, he answered as if his words were treading on eggshells. "Time passes swiftly for us." I sat back in wonder, he had waited this whole time for me to stop crying? Why? He rummaged in his pocket and pulled out a granola bar that he handed to me. I looked at the label: Chocolate chip. Gratefully, I unwrapped it; I hadn't eaten anything all day. It was sorta peaceful, the two of us sitting in the forest sun falling through the leaves.
    "We should go back soon, it's dangerous out here," I looked up from my snack. Shaileh was looking around nervously, his eyes darted from tree to tree. I wondered why, there wasn't any sign of life, dangerous or not. He stood up, "Come on, it's--" but before he could finish, I heard a *pop*, and smoke blossomed around us. Within seconds, we were completely enveloped in a smoke screen. Shaileh yelled, "Aww, Dammit!" I could barely see him through the smoke. Suddenly, large hands seized me from behind. Instinctively, I elbowed my assailant and his grip loosened enough for me to wriggle free.
    Elsewhere, I could hear Shaileh fighting off another goon. "Shaileh!" I shouted, but I was tackled again. I cracked my head on a rock and cried out. I lay in a daze for a second, before I was yanked up by my hair, and all too soon, my mind returned. I felt blow after blow hitting me, my arms, my face. I tried getting free, but I was afraid of losing my heart again. When I caught a particularly rough punch on my ribs, I screamed in pain. A second later, the blows ceased. He released his grip on my hair, and I slid to the rocky forest floor.
    My body ached; I would have huge bruises, maybe even broken bones if I survived this ordeal. I felt too weak to move, to escape, so I lay there, breathing shallowly, eyes half closed. Then, my foggy brain registered a sound that kept repeating itself, insistent and familiar.
    "Laurel, Laurel! Goddamnit, don't pass out on me!" Shai...leh...? I managed to lift my eyelids ever so slightly so I could see him. He peered down at me, his dark eyes filled with the kindest emotion I could ever hope to see on his cold face. The corners of my mouth upturned into a wry smile. Maybe he really was a nice guy on the inside...
    "Realized, huh?" My voice cracked, "What the hell is that?"

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